Anyone doing ivf at 40+

[lucieloos]

We're considering doing a couple more rounds of ivf at 40.5 years old. We have 2 children already but still feel someone is missing.

Is anyone else starting or already having treatment at 40+ and would like to share the journey?

I’m off to cyprus in May to do my third round of IVF. I’m currently 41. Starting my supplements in March and hopefully acupuncture as soon as possible.

@IslandStars thank you so much for sharing all of that. You’re doing so amazingly well to produce so many blasts! May I ask why you went into a third cycle when you had so many? What supplements do you take?

It’s really interesting to hear about your protocol. I only have 6 follicles and I’m on quite a high dose of Ovaleap and Menopur. There’s a lady on the ivf and with same follicle count as me. In her first round she got eggs but not successful. She lowered her dose second round and she responded amazingly well this time. Likely I’ll need another round I’m guessing so might question the consultant next time round.

Remind me when you find out about your blast? Everything crossed for a transfer soon!

I’m just on my way into Central london now for EC. Super nervous!! Praying for 4-5 eggs. X

Incredible amazing results. Can I also ask about what your doing outside of the clinic?
My history is two rounds of IVF in cyprus aged 40. First resulted in 2x blastocysts. I adjusted my supplements to the ones in the book ‘starts with an egg’, completely removed plastic and weekly acupuncture which I believe helped me get 5 x blastocysts. Of which one was normal. This embryo was transferred on feb 20th last year and my gorgeous Arabella was born on the 30th of October. I’ve booked for May to start again and consequently will be repeating the above.

@Woodcottage1 what beautiful little baby girl. Amazing results. I’m going to look into the supplements. I just take coq 10, NED, pregnacare, folate and vitamin D.

Did you get your blasts genetically tested?

Thank you, I feel incredibly blessed, I’m in shock everyday with her and so thankful. The first time I didn’t genetically test the second I did, one normal out of 5, which became arabella. My doctor called me to say we had one normal and actually said that it will be a baby, which I thought was strange to give so much hope, but she was right. My supplements for the second time were as you’ve said but plus dhea. I’m going to go though the book today and rewrite my list and order. I’ll pop my list on here. Turns out acupuncture is still possible in lockdown so I’ve messaged a lady to see if she can treat me x

By the way best of luck for today x

@RichmondLady1981 Hope everything went well today. First EC is overwhelming in terms of the build up and the anxious wait to hear results etc. I was recommended to finish all 3 cycles as I’m 42, so best to make the most of the good fertile months I have left. I only take Pregnacare as a supplement. I’ve always had a good diet, generally a low carb one, with a good amount of protein and drink plenty of water, I take a long walk every day as that’s what I enjoy, that’s about it really.

@Woodcottage1 Thanks so much for posting the beautiful photo of Arabella, what an inspiration she is as I’ve just received my PGS results...

Out of 13 embryos, I “only” got 2 normal. Was hoping for 3 as everything has gone so well for me so far, but I’m feeling positive about my 2 normal, they will give me a good chance at least, I know ladies on here have ended up with no normal, so I’m very grateful.

Out of my 3 cycles, the 2 normal are from my second round, so it just goes to show that it can change each time.

@IslandStars huge congratulations on your two embryos. That’s amazing. Tested embryos have a good chance I have read. Everything crossed for your journey. Would love to follow your journey and hear how you get on. When do you plan to transfer now you have your results.

Today has been exhausting but have been treated so well and no complaints about level of care. Out of 5 possible eggs from scans that were all at the same rate of growth, we only have 3 from collection- two follicles were empty. Have to admit I’m a little disappointed but am trying to be as hopeful as possible. Everything crossed for fertilisation call tomorrow. 🙏🏼

Huge congratulations, that’s absolutely incredible and just illustrates with the two normals from your second round, that you never know. I had success second time too, I wonder if we’re less stressed because we know what’s coming. Did you do anything different the second time? I’ve just tried to find the paperwork about my one normal embryo, just so you could compare with your report. I’ll keep looking. Reading about your embryo banking is making me wonder if I should be doing that instead with mild IVF and doing it locally. I choose cyprus, partially as I never need an excuse to be on holiday, the success rates are good at my clinic and it’s a lot cheaper. I also thought it might be good for relaxation. I spend 2.5k on treatment every time plus about 700 on drugs and 300 euros per egg to be tested. The very first time I took my parents and my husband with me, husband flying in and out and the flights and accommodation added up probably ti a similar price as IVF in the uk. I run my own business and can work from my phone. My parents weren’t very useful, and I had to keep them entertained. We were all petrified of the needles and I had to find a lovely nurse to do my daily injections. Eventually my husband built up the courage to inject me. I think I made it worse as I’ve had a fear of needles all my life. I’m hoping this next round that I can do them myself.
I’ve just enquired with create regarding the 3 rounds, not sure if I should do that or cyprus with full protocol in May 🙈. Your results are so brilliant it’s making me want to try x

Absolutely everything crossed for you Richmondlady81, is this your first round and what type of IVF did you go for? I have friends who have created a huge amount of eggs but not had the egg quality, so please keep positive x

Thanks so much ladies, fingers crossed everything keeps working out for us all.

@RichmondLady1981 Really hoping your 3 make the days ahead. Quality over quantity as we say! I can imagine you’re shattered and it’s not nice to have hopes let down. Let us know how you get on. I should start my period next week so will begin FET straight away.

@Woodcottage1 Thank you, really appreciate you looking for the paperwork on your lovely success story!

I didn’t do anything different for each round, so I think you could be right that mentally I had relaxed a bit more for round 2. I know there’s financial savings to going abroad, but I wouldn’t be able to mange it with work, so doing the 3 cycle package here has been good for me. I’m with Create St Pauls, so if you have specific questions, let me know.

Thanks so much for offering to answer questions x the main one is, what time frame did you have for the three rounds? Ie do you have to wait in between a certain amount of time? Thank you so much x

Hello ladies I hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread? I’m 44 about to have a FET. I have 4 embryos left from 2 rounds of stims when I was 39/40. We had 2 returned FET and I had my daughter.

What are you all doing in terms of choosing whether to return 1 or 2 if you have a choice? I was going to go with 2 as before but the clinic have advised only 1. I’m confused now about what to do and am not sure I would have another cycle in me if this one doesn’t work at my age.

Good luck to all xx

@Woodcottage1 No problem, i did round 1 in October, round 2 December and round 3 January, so all over fairly quickly, as mild IVF is done and dusted in around 2 weeks. You generally have to wait for a 'normal' period in between though, so you have your EC, then get your post EC bleed, then you can start next round on the period that follows.

@kos88 Welcome and congrats on your first success! I'll be putting 1 embryo back in. Most clinics are generally against 2, but will consider individual circumstances if pushed. As pregnancies for over 40s are considered high risk, they probably don't want to add to the issues with a potential twin pregnancy. Hope it all goes well.

Hi all, nice to hear some of your updates.

Sorry I haven’t posted for a while, we finally managed to transfer our only frozen blast but there was an issue with thin lining. Following discussion with the consultant we agreed to go ahead and transfer as I have had a normal hysteroscopy. Unfortunately that resulted in a chemical pregnancy. Was so happy for a few days and then just watched the positive line disappear. We are ahoy to head into another fresh round as soon as my period starts. I think after that I will consider pgs testing any blasts as I’ve had 4 transferred so far. Just feeling the pressure of time!

Does anyone know how long after a chemical it can take to get a period?

I’m so sorry mouse40, this is very cruel :(
I’m going to do one round of IVF in cyprus in May and have started my supplements today. Previously I was on bud supplements. The supplements I’m taking from today are -
Alpha lipoic acid 600mg
Omega 3 fish oils
N acethyl l cystein 600mg
Folic acid
Co enzyme q10. 200mg
Vit d3 4000iu
Super antioxidant B2 c and e
Dhea 50mg

And then in April I start with melatonin before bed.
I hope to start acupuncture next week.

Thank you islandstars, I’m going to start mini IVF if May fails x

I’m on day 1 today of FET for my PGS normal embryo. No down reg, so will update later this month...please IVF gods make this embryo stick!

@mouse40 sorry you’ve been through such a hard time with a chemical pregnancy. I don’t know how long it takes to get your period, but I know the longer the hcg hormones were in your system, the longer it takes for everything to settle down. In theory, you should be able to start again fairly soon.

@Woodcottage1 you’re welcome, good luck with your next round.

Hi ladies. I m 41 next month. I already am lucky to have 2 children but we dont feel our family is complete without a 3rd. I have been diagnosed with blocked fallopian tubes and starting ivf in April.
My clinic is Care and they said they wouldn't be against me taking dhea, if I can manage to get hold of it.
@Woodcottage1 congratulations for your beautiful daughter!
Please if you dont mind me asking, did you get your testosterone blood levels tested before taking 50 mg dhea?
I m so scared about messing up my cycle by taking hormones, as my clinic just said ut s up to me, if I want to buy them.
Where did you buy yours? Any suggestions?
I think i might do my first round without and if unsuccessful, go for dhea.
Did you start DHEA only for your second cycle?
Sorry, newbie here. So many questions🙈
Husband got his semen results back. Does morphology at 4% look normal?
Thanks so much, best of luck everyone 🤞⚘💐😘🙏

Yes started it for my second cycle only. I bought mine online. I just took one tablet at 50mg a day for about 2 months. I didn’t test before. Possibly irresponsible but I’ll be repeating it again for May. Started the supplements yesterday. I get greesy hair from the dhea. I think the major one is the vit d3 as well. I showed my supplements with a breast cancer surviver who is on a lot of the above too. Since I stopped breastfeeding I’ve been on bud supplements, my hair has really improved, no luck with getting pregnant but lush hair x

Thanks so much again for your reply @Woodcottage1. My clinic said they are not against DHEA but they wont test my starting point so i am a bit cautious and will probably only take 1 25ngr a day when they eventually arrive from the US (ordered from dhea.com).
I m scared that taking too much might interfere with my period
Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

Hiya, I was wondering if anyone has travelled through heathrow recently? I’m meant to go to Greece but have heard of 6/7 hour queues at passport control and I know that will stress me no end so considering driving to Birmingham and then flying via Amsterdam to Athens to avoid having the stress of a lengthily queue upon my return... maybe it’s just me being silly.

Good luck Islandstars.

So sorry mouse40... it sucks. It’s all just rubbish, I don’t want anymore losses:-(

Hello ladies! Just popping to see whether anyone has (hopefully good!) news. @IslandStars? How was your FET?

Hi all,

Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately. Was hard having the chemical. We went for another fresh round after that and got 7 eggs but sadly only 2 were mature and that resulted in just one early blast which we transferred. I’m not too hopeful but trying to stay positive.

How’s everyone else getting on?

Hi all,

@IslandStars have you had your FET now? Hope all is going well?

I've not posted on here since I was just starting stims... I had my EC at the beginning of this month and they collected 18 eggs, which I was gobsmacked by given that I'm 41 and only have one ovary! Unfortunately it meant it had to be a freeze-all though, due to OHSS risk (and I did get a mild case) which was a really disappointing update to wake up to after the EC.

I actually got 5 blasts in the end, best grade was a 5AA and the lowest a 3BA so I was pleased with that outcome. I did my first cycle last year and it was a BFN from a fresh transfer with a 4BB left in the freezer. I could have just transferred the 4BB but went for another fresh round to hopefully add to my chances before I turned 42... feels now that it was the right decision, though I know the unknown quality of the embryos means none of them might work out.

So I now have 6 in the freezer and the FET from my freeze-all should be next month.

@mouse40 everything crossed for you - when is OTD?

Hi ladies @Anxiousbuthopeful @lucymills1234

I'd been wondering what us Over 40s were up to lately! Sorry am a bit late with replies, as i'd been waiting for my OTD. Sadly, BFN. Went for bloods, but was expecting the result as various POAS had been negative for days. Really gutting as my embryo was PGS normal and lining good. Guess i fall into the unlucky category, but i have a review next month and will run through options then. I have 1 more PGS embryo left, so a lot of pressure will be weighing on my next FET now.

@lucymills1234 wow that's a great result, well worth doing another round. Really hope you get some luck from these 6.

@Anxiousbuthopeful Thanks for the thought, where are you up to at the moment with things?

@mouse40 Sorry you've been through an early loss. Wish you best of luck for OTD