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Infertility

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Embryo transfer abandoned

6 replies

Snowpaw · 25/05/2021 10:31

I’m feeling blue today. I went in for transfer of frozen embryo yesterday. Whilst on the operating table I could sense there was some kind of problem. The doctor asked for some gas and air to be brought and said there was an issue with getting the tube through the cervix. So she attempted quite a few painful manoeuvres and I was getting upset then. And then she said let’s abandon this attempt, have a break and i’ll call the Consultant. When he arrived he tried on a few occasions too but said he was sorry, that we would have to abandon because the cervix was too tight and he couldn’t get the tube through it without doing damage to the neck of the womb, and he said that wouldn’t be a good environment to put an embryo back into. They aim for the least disruption to the womb as possible. I felt so sad and lost. I have had two previous transfers with no problem at all of this kind (one resulted in my toddler, the other was a BFN) so I don’t know why this cervix issue has now come up. I had gone to the clinic not even expecting this type of thing to be a problem. I thought sure, the embryo might not survive etc but it never even crossed my mind that getting it in there would be an issue.

I feel so sad. And now I’ve had to abruptly stop all the meds I feel a bit all over the place emotionally. And the loss of another £1500.

Has a similar thing happened to anyone else? Not sure what I’m looking for. Just a hand hold I think. Sending positive thoughts to all who are going through difficult times today on this journey.

OP posts:
TheDutchess3 · 25/05/2021 13:19

@Snowpaw,
So sorry to hear what you've been through today! I didn't have that but especially the 1st time I had embryo transfer it was painful and more uncomfortable than the puncture.
I ve had other disappointments along the way but eventually was just looking forward to another try...
Btw the doctor in my second clinic proposed during the puncture to have a mock transfer when he heard I was very uncomfortable during the ET. Not sure if this is something you can keep in mind for the next time before the actual transfer but already in the protocol...

Gardenlady543 · 25/05/2021 16:59

@Snowpaw there is some evidence that a mock transfer is helpful, to provide m some indication as to if issues might arise in transfer day. Although in your case given previous procedures have gone fine, it doesn't sound like this would have been pursued. The situation sounds complicated and I'm really sorry to hear about what's happened, it must have been very difficult when you were in the room and I can imagine I would be very upset after if this happened to me.

I think the first step is to get a review booked in ASAP to find out exactly what happened and how to prevent this from happening again. Is a general anaesthetic an option if an issue happens next time?

Can you ask for at least some form of refund? most clinics will have some kind of refund policy when these kind of things happen.

Again I'm really sorry, I think we always have some worries in our mind for what might go wrong, but nobody would expect for this to happen.

Snowpaw · 25/05/2021 21:27

Thank you for your replies - I’m thankful for your kind words. I have felt a bit stronger today, I’m just so glad that we can have people in our houses in doors now so I’ve had lots of family support around.

Yes the clinic have told me to have the withdrawal bleed and then call to book in for a mock transfer to see if they can work out what the problem was / is. Fingers crossed I will get a few answers then. I feel like I need some kind of debrief about it all.

OP posts:
JeOrdaannnn · 09/07/2021 06:05

Hi @Snowpaw

I'm so sorry you had to go through that :( I also just had the exact same situation happen in the start of June, and it was just such an awful situation to be in. Going in with the mindset of "this is the easy and straightforward part" to then have that be a whole new problem. After a 40 minute prodding and poking session, my transfer was also abandoned and my embryo refrozen :(

I ended up having Cervical Dilatation done a couple of weeks ago in prep for this next transfer. Did you have to have this done too?

I really hope you've managed to get some answers or at least move forward in your new cycle without any issues this time?

Snowpaw · 09/07/2021 20:23

@JeOrdaannnn thank you for your reply! It is interesting to hear someone has gone through the same thing. I felt very alone when it happened. Like I never even had prepared for the fact that the cervix might be the problem! I went and had a mock transfer at the clinic a few weeks later and a different consultant there was able to get the tube through without much problem, and he was a bit stumped at what had gone wrong. They weren’t really able to give me any answers but they said I don’t need the dilation. I imagine that was pretty painful? I hope you are feeling ok.
I’ve decided to have a break for a cycle, before deciding what to do next. And to save up again! I feel very torn whether I want to keep ploughing more time and life and money and emotions into this, or to just enjoy my one daughter. A hard decision.

OP posts:
JeOrdaannnn · 09/07/2021 20:37

@Snowpaw that was my exact reaction! I was so confused how out of all the other problems, the cervix would actually bring everything to a halt 😩 Hard enough feeling subpar with needing the fertility treatment at all, but to then fail at the easiest part of it all 🤦🏻‍♀️ kick in the teeth much! I really hope you've got good support, it's definitely needed after having that disappointment ❤️

What's frustrating is, I think it really does just vary every time on how the procedure will go ☹️ Ive had a HyCosy done that wasn't very straight forward and they had real problems getting through my cervix, but they managed to after about 20 minutes of changing sizes etc. I then had 2 IUIs done with no problems at all and they were done within the expected 5-10 minutes 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's only been this time for my embryo transfer that they just couldn't get through at all 🧐

I would definitely consult your clinic about the finance part 🙏🏻 Mine were so very understanding about our disappointment, and how the money strain side of it was having an impact on our relationship and stress levels throughout this whole process.
They ended up not making us pay for this next transfer because it was just something that couldn't have been avoided on the day by either us or the clinic 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's worth checking because then at least that'll be one thing you won't have to worry about so much. Then maybe it can help you to decide on how to move forward afterwards 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

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