IVF Failure...recovering and trying again - experiences please

[Youngatheart00]

My first cycle of IVF has sadly ended in failure.

For those that have been through the same, how quickly did your cycles return to normal? And just how bad will this AF be once I stop the progesterone (I’m already bleeding so hopefully it has had a ‘head start’)?

For those that have tried again, how long did you wait before starting the process (bloods etc) again? We will be changing clinic as our NHS funding has run out and we weren’t too happy with a few things at the one we’ve just used. How easy is it to get information to show your new clinic, and were they interested in this information?

What is your clinic? To be fair the NHS cycle can be pretty basic and isn’t always reflective of the service you would get by the same clinic in a private cycle (different drugs, less restricted by trust / NHS rules and so can try different methods that the NHS has yet to recognise but probably will eventually).

If you do change clinics you may need to pay / arrange to do all the tests you have already completed again. They may also start with a lower strength protocol so you could end up with 2 dud cycles before you make any break throughs.

To give you my example - my NHS cycle failed (1 useable embryo to transfer nothing to freeze) because my stimulation protocol was too mild (have PCOS) and the trust doesn’t pay for (or let me pay for) further testing. Second cycle was private (part of an Access Fertility package) at the same clinic and I was put on a strong protocol with more regular monitoring so I produced more embryos. First fresh transfer failed and then I insisted on further testing (called Level 1/2 tests which test immune response / thyroid etc) - a lot of problems were identified, my protocol was changed, and the next transfer worked.

My first cycle was a short protocol one so my cycle came back at straight away. I had a bit of a break but I could have gone into another collection after 1 period had I wanted to but I decided to spend 3 months changing diet/adding loads of extra supplements in to see if it would improve egg quality (takes 3 months for that to take effect)

Thanks all. I’m fine with repeating tests, I guess some levels are subject to change anyway.

3 months is what I assumed would be sensible. Can’t imagine going through this all again in a month even if my cycle has returned normally!

Call and ask for all your notes in writing. You'll need to refer to them.
For me AF was not horribly heavy.
Onwards and upwards!

Thank you for the practicality and positivity 🙂

Hi Young, sorry your cycle hasn't worked out.
My first attempt was long protocol, second cycle short, both times period came when I would have expected it and was normal, maybe lasted a little longer.

Be kind to yourself this week, it is a horrible deflating feeling, and difficult for partners too

My NHS clinic charged £30 for my medical notes which I scanned and sent to the private clinic. It was useful in that they could see how I had responded, though as another poster says their approach can be very basic. Not all NHS clinics though as some of my friends can testify. But mine was pretty crap, and when I asked what would they do differently for private patients they proudly declared 'nothing, we treat everyone the same' so we obviously did not go there for our private treatment. They were so inflexible it was unreal.

Think it’s a bit of a cheek to ask for £30 but I guess it’s a small cost in the scheme of things especially as we transition to private. Your clinic sounds much like mine. You can ‘self fund’ there but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to.