3 failed cycles - MFI what's next?

[Viletta]

Hi all,

We have severe MFI both 33, TTC for years. Had 2 failed fresh cycles and 1 failed FET, never saw 2 lines. The two private clinics I was in both think it's MFI and we just need to keep trying possibly with DS. Donor is not something we are considering at the moment. I'm wondering whether there might be something wrong with me? Last cycle I was on prednizolone. Why they are not implanting? My endometrium is thick, my hormones are all good. Is it just bad luck or are we missing something? We didn't do PGS but we had 3 good quality blasts last time. One is still in the freezer but I'm paranoid it won't work... I read conflicting information. Nice guidelines say 3 cycles should work, while another study claimed it takes on average 6-9 cycles.. How long did it take you? Would you ask for more tests? I'm so confused...

I felt relieved to know I needed longer and implantation day to be later

And as I said the next ivf that was the one that worked

Not saying all ivf after era worked but for me it did

@Viletta we were also going through ICSI for mfi, and I was in my early 30s. We had 2 failed fresh, one failed FET. I was so close to not going through another fresh round. Couldn’t see how it was going to work after our second fresh, which went so bad.

Fell pregnant and now have a 7 month old DD. Not sure if I can give advice. You will probably have heard it all before! (I drank raspberry leaf tea to thicken lining, ate lots of protein before egg collection, ate avacado and took vitamins etc).
It’s so heartbreaking when it doesn’t work. But you do still have a chance. Wishing you all the best

@Blondeshavemorefun I somehow feel that my implantation window might be indeed shifted. Looking forward to get the results! Thank you

@BeHereNowx32 I'm so happy it worked for you! Sometimes it's just down to luck!

Hi all, just an update. I've got my ERA test done and results came back normal - endometrium is receptive. So not sure then why these embryos are not sticking.. will probably transfer our last frozen embie and then visit an implantation clinic in London for further investigation. That is if FET is not working.

@Viletta Good news! Were your embryos PGD tested? Prof Robert Winston seems to think that you're only odds on even chances after 3-4 cycles, but like you, I will want further tests if my 3rd cycle( 4th transfer, embryos 6&) don't stick next month.

Maybe tmi but what are your periods like? Mine were a bit painful and clotted (but at the time didn't think it was an issue) and it turns out I have endo. Could be worth a lap? xxx

@FingersXssd83 thanks for replying. I have't had the embryos tested.. might do it with the next fresh cycle. My periods are not abundant, these days quite regular, endometrium is always good 3 layered, never had an issue on any ultrasound or tests I've done so far.. DH thinks I should stop looking for further tests for myself and move on with the 4th cycle and PGD as next step if this doesn't work. How are you doing?

@vietta did you end up having your ERA in the uk or abroad? After 3 failed transfers my new clinic abroad suggested one as an option I've already paid out an extra £2000 for extra tests which haven't given us any answers to why the embryos are not implanting. Do you need to to this a specific time before your transfer as looking to get mine in January?

@Viletta glad you had an era and all Showing fine for your window day implantation

Tho sorry no answers :(

Hi Viletta, did your clinic ever do a dna fragmentation test on your DH. We moved to a new clinic who are going to do surgical speed removal as my DH has high dna Frag alongside bad MFI. We are also going to do IMSI and PGS testing to try select the best sperm and then the best embryos (if we get any ha!)

@Maximoo06 hi there, ended up having ERA in my clinic in Czech, they did send it to igenomix the only lab that performs the actual test, that is in the UK. Most clinics in the UK that the lab suggested would do this test for clients that are not doing IVF with them, others needed me to have a consultation with their dr first, which means more money and more waiting. In the end going to Czech was just easier, I stayed there 1 night and ended up paying same as in the UK.. even a bit less.

@Hisdarkmaterials7 we did dna fragmentation with Mr Ramsey, results were not too terrible. Our clinic in Czech offered Picsi or Macs to make sure we pick best dna. In the end they couldn't use either of these methods as DH hadn't had a big enough sample. Luckily all eggs fertilized 9/9 as opposed to 3/9 in the UK with icsi. We think it's due to possibly better equipment but most likely loads of supplements and diet change that our nutritionist prescribed.

@Blondeshavemorefun hope next time will work.. no change in protocol though...

Also started counseling. I find I was okay this 1,5 years but now the whole thing snowballed on me.. trying to give myself some space

@Viletta thanks for replying I think I saw on a different post you went with Reprofit in Brno which is where I will be going in January. Can I ask you some questions?

When in the cycle did you fly out for and did you find somewhere cheap to stay?

@Maximoo06 I'm flying there too in January. For full cycle I was there for about 8 days and stayed in Air bnb. There are lots of nice flats in Brno and I always feel more at home when staying in a flat rather than a hotel. It's quite cheap too.

Here is what my coordinator told me about fresh cycle:

In the stimulation time we need 2 ultrasound scans, you can have it locally (let us know via e-mail about results) or come to our clinic to do.
Stimulation starts on 2nd day of cycle, egg retrieval is planning to be 12-14 day of cycle, transfer 3 or 5 days later.

I had my ultrasound done in a baby bond clinic where you can have private pregnancy scans. This was the cheapest option.

Have you tried IVF before?

@Viletta thanks so much for the info it sounds pretty similar to what the coordinator told me, just wasn't sure when to fly out from & how long to stay out there for?!?
I wanted to do it ASAP but thought the flights would be to expensive in December.
Yes I have had 1 fresh transfer & 2 frozen on the NHS but all have been a negative outcome.
Any other tips or info would be great it's my first time going abroad for ivf.

@Viletta also where did you get your medication from they have given me a list of pharmacies but was thinking to go with Stork

@Maximoo06 I used fertility2u I would allow at least 10 days before the start of your cycle to order the meds, just for the peace of your mind. The coordinator will email them the prescription and then validate it with e-signature.

To get to Brno you can either fly direct or go to Bratislava, Vienna and Prague. Trains are quite good but might be late (one time the train was late for almost 1,5h). I used Uber type taxi called LiftaGo in Brno and Prague, really nice and cheap. We came there 4 days before EC (so my last ultrasound before trigger was free in the clinic), and stayed another 2 days after 5 day transfer just to keep things quite right after. Brno is quite small so we went to Vienna for a day before flying back home from there. To travel we used little insulated fish bag with cooler bags from the meds delivery to keep my meds cool.

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck for January. I think starting new year fresh with new cycle is better than trying to fit it around Christmas. I don't think the flight would be much more expensive but possibly doctors or your coordinator could be away for holidays..

@Viletta thank you sooooo much for all the information it's really helpful. Good luck for January 🤞🏼 I'll be thinking of you I guess I'll be the towards the end of jan if my cycle plays ball.

Hi all, just an update. I was late 2h for my ERA test and result came back all good and receptive. Subsequently ET was moved 2h forward as per my personalized implantation window and I just got a bfp first time ever! It’s my 4th transfer (2 fresh, 2 FET). So happy!

@vietta congratulations glad going for the ERA paid off

I just got back from Brno today bit of a disappointing outcome as from 11 fertalised eggs only 2 were any good. Partners sperm could be the reason they said, which has never been an issue before

Transferred 2 embryos but don't have high hopes

@Maximoo06 it’s numbers game, hopefully it works for you this time! Fingers crossed!

@Viletta - congratulations on your BFP! We cycled together last year, so pleased for you! Please keep us posted with how you're getting on 💐

@twinkledag we did! Thank you! It feels like a dream come true! How are you doing? Have you decided to try again?

We had a cycle last September which failed ☹️ Now considering donor eggs.

Just read back that you were given nutritional advice - who was that from and what did they suggest?

@twinkledag we went to Mel Brown fertility nutritionist. She was recommended to us by Mr Ramsey. She gives you a lot of advise on food and especially supplements, down to which brands to use. I would definitely recommend her

Can you share the food and supplements she recommended?