Any 3rd time lucky IVFers?

[Youngatheart00]

After swearing were done after 2 unsuccessful rounds we’ve started to tentatively discuss a third round. We need to have a clinic review to discuss our last failure and what the prognosis is.

Any hopefully stories from those which have had 2 failed cycles and been successful on a third?

I had 2 failed cycles last year with 3 transfers then did another 3 cycles back to back this year changing to natural modified IVF and got my BFP from the frozen embryos from the 3rd egg collection

Good luck and if you can keep going don't give up xx

Wow @ivfgottostaypositive what a journey you went on. So happy for you you got your BFP in the end. I guess i need to talk to the doctors about my prognosis. Hoping my AMH has stayed around 8 and not dropped. It’s such a gruelling, emotional, expensive journey.

@Youngatheart00 I had 2 failed fresh cycles (and a failed FET). I was successful with my 3rd fresh cycle, and have 2 frozen embryos! I nearly gave up too.
On my successful cycle, I ate lots of protein, which is supposed to help with egg quality.
Good luck.

Thank you! That’s very encouraging, and useful advice. I’ve just re ordered fertility vitamins and ubiquinol. Although I’m not 100% we will try again, they can’t do any harm and if we do decide, it will be good to have had 3 months of ‘body prep’. I also need to lose weight as have gained around 2 stone from the 2 cycles we’ve done already over the past 9 months.

🙋‍♀️ 3rd round and 5th transfer was the charm for me. All previous fresh and frozen including 3 single blast transfers failed and it was the frozen day 1 that worked. The transfer was friday the 13th so maybe bad luck works for us? Don't care, after 4.5 years trying and 2 years of IVF I'm now 17 weeks pregnant. We had another round planned for this summer but had agreed that this would be the last.

I guess the point of my story is that the embryos that "should" have worked didn't, and of the 2 we had no hope in - one did. The change on the cycle that worked was that they lowered the stims dose so instead of getting 12/14 eggs as I did on the previous cycles, I got 2. Devastated at the time, but clearly for me, quality over quantity was the key?

Yes third time lucky for me too. Two fresh failed, FET succeeded. I was told at the time by my clinic that the treatment should be seen as three tries for success, I don’t know how true that was but always had in my head then it might take three, then it did.

ive had 3 transfers 1 fresh 2 FET the second worked but ended in early MC at 7 weeks.for us its the end but a lot like @ivfgottostaypositive have changed their method and have been successful x

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I had two very different drug regimens and responses, however seem to have an issue with fall off pre blast (was 16 down to 1 in cycle 1, only 5 down to nothing in cycle 2)

I really need a specialist to review both sets of notes and see what recommendations they have. I’m not sure I can just ‘roll the dice’ again!

Hi @Youngatheart00 I’m in the same position as you also with two v different protocols and same rubbish response. We only managed a day 5 morula first time and nothing second time. I’m a poor responder with egg quality issues and my DH has sperm issues. Before our third round we are taking a 3 month break. I’m on DHEA to hopefully help egg quality and Melatonin to help me sleep better. I got a nutritionist and am on a dairy free gluten free low carb sugar free (bar fruit) strongly fish and plant based diet along with fasting from 7pm to 10am ( I also need to lose a stone and half I put on during our previous two rounds and the last two years) she also changed my supplements. I’m also going to reflexology and Starting hypnotherapy next week (last round being left with nothing and told we must have egg quality issues too has hit me very hard so I think it’s time to seek some help but didn’t fancy counselling as I know what the issue is - starting next week and hoping it will help with the awful thoughts that I keep having).

I would at least ask if you’re a candidate for DHEA. I feel absolutely fine on it no side effects which makes me think I was definitely lacking in testosterone and my test came back as 0.2 and they like to see between 1-2. The melatonin is also helping me sleep better and some day it can help egg quality. I think cutting out sugar and increasing protein is also worth a shot.

@Moveslikejagger1 hi - great to meet someone in the same boat. Can I ask what your AMH is? I’m not sure I’ve ever had my testosterone levels tested. I’ve just checked my blood report (which has pretty much everything else under the sun!) but not that.

At the moment I’m struggling to get a proper follow up from my failed cycles (is it me or are clinics SO keen just to wash their hands if you once your cycle fails???!) but have requested all of my notes.

Diet is a really important one for me, I suspect. I know I eat too much sugar.

My AMH was fine - 23 for my first round and 17 for my second (I’ve just turned 34) so they thought I had no issues but after two failed rounds and poor response they said it’s clear there are egg quantity and quality issues - said AMH is only an indicator.

My clinic have been pretty great - our consultant rang us on the Sunday after our cycle failed on the Wednesday to follow up. He said to go again and he’ll put me on max dose of menopur as I don’t seem to respond to gonal f too. Then he tested my testosterone and put me on DHEA and melatonin.

I would request all your notes and maybe even see about changing clinic? We are paying privately so we moved after our first round. If you’re nhs funded maybe it’s not possible but definitely be your own advocate and request DHEA etc.

Yes I also had far too much sugar so I’ve cut it out completely and it’s amazing how much is in foods I thought had none never mind those I did!