IVF Poor fertilization

[HK2509]

Hi, hoping someone has some positive stories following poor fertilization. Our background:
1st cycle 6 eggs, 5 fertilized, 4 poor quality blasts, 2 put back in BFN and the others too poor to freeze
2nd cycle 12 eggs, 8 fertilized, 5 poor quality blasts, 2 put back in BFN with bleed before test date, the others too poor to freeze
3rd cycle, egg collection yesterday. This time we did PICSI and got 11 eggs but only 3 fertilized.

To say I’m devastated is an understatement, my husband spent 4 months prior to this round avoiding baths and alcohol as he had been diagnosed with borderline DNA fragmentation. We have both been on wellwoman and wellman and CoQ10. I just can’t understand how our fertilization was so poor with PICSI whereas before with standard IVF we had a good level. We are being advised to freeze all due to a difficult egg collection, possible infection and an endometrioma on one of my ovaries. I’m so scared as we’ve never had anything good enough to freeze. Has anyone had any success in a situation like this? Sorry for babbling on I just feel so broken by the news 🥲

On my third cycle, I got just 4 eggs and 4 fertilised. They thought I had an endometrioma and froze all embryos on day 3.

Did a double FET three months after which failed. Had a lap and excision three months later and my second double FET three months after that.

My gorgeous baby is now playing in the playpen in front of me. Try and hold on. I know how hard it is especially when the numbers aren't great and you lose all hope 😢

Btw I've just done my fourth EC and only got three eggs and found out this morning that only two have fertilised. IVF is akin to torture. So bloody hard. Hope someone is looking after you ❤️

Thanks for your reply, unfortunately my endo is so severe they have advised against surgery as it will drastically lower my conception chances. So confused that with the addition of PICSI our fertilization rate is worse than our previous IVF rounds. Not holding out much hope but at least that prepares me for the call on Monday. Our clinic only freeze on day 5 and we’ve never had anything suitable by that point.

@HK2509 sorry to read your post. I had an endometrioma removed from an ovary as well as lots of other excision of grade 3 endo prior ttc and when I ultimately needed ivf the poor ovary that had had the surgery didn’t respond. So yes treatment can do some damage but on the positive side my endo has also been under control since and the IVF worked. Have you tried anything else for the endo? @endoplankat on insta is very knowledgeable and has written a book re supplements. I’ve also followed the advice in it starts with the egg re antioxidants - vits c and e and n acetyl cysteine plus folate rather than folic acid. Good luck with it all and hope that something comes of this cycle x

Thanks @whatcangowrong will take a look at @endoplankat. I’ve not really been given any info on how to manage the endo, when not trying to conceive back on birth control but defeats the object right now. My consultant at hospital only recommended surgery for pain relief and advised if trying to conceive was my priority to avoid surgery until later in life. My endo has fused my bowel to my uterus and one of my ovaries and also have adenomyosis of the uterus, so bluntly put my insides are f**ked. Just not ready to give up hope yet. Did you have any success with IVF if you don’t mind me asking?

Yes I did, I had a little boy last year after just one round so I feel very lucky. I think the surgery definitely improved my endo but everyone is different of course

Sorry you are having such a tough time OP. Not in the same situation, but my wife had 29 eggs collected on a freeze all cycle (due to OHS) and only 6 fertilised. We were very upset day 1, but 5 of those made it to day 5/6 blastocysts and were frozen. The first of those is currently growing inside her (34 weeks) so don’t give up hope yet!

Also, in my round before last I had 16 eggs collected and 1 made it to day 5. Last round 14 eggs collected and 7 day 5/6 blastocysts frozen. Who knows why?

Thanks @shamoo trying to come to terms that this cycle was just one of those things. Not out yet but not feeling very hopeful. Now to keep busy until Wednesday with the final results