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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Failed Embryo transfer- In need of encouragement 😞

2 replies

Faithful789 · 28/07/2021 11:13

I had a natural cycle FET and it did not result in a pregnancy. I am absolutely devastated. It was my first transfer and I was optimistic and really thought it would work especially as we were diagnosed with male infertility. A bit naive, I know.

All my blood tests have been fine, although my lining waited to the last minute to thicken, my cycle was so close to being abandoned but a last minute scan revealed my lining was above 8mm. I know IVF is not guaranteed and there are many reasons why the embryo failed to implant but I’m now worried that I may have endometrium issues that caused delayed thicken of uterine lining and the embryo not to implant. I’m under NHS so never had any thorough investigations done since my blood test were OK. Now I don’t know whether to go ahead with another transfer as we have 4 embryos left or to request for more investigations for myself.

Looking for some advice Smile

OP posts:
msgloria · 28/07/2021 12:12

Really sorry about your transfer - the same thing happened to me so I know how upsetting it is.

Sadly it's normal to have an unsuccessful first go and it doesn't mean it won't work for you next time.

The reasons why an embryo might fail to result in a pregnancy broadly fall into two categories - the chromosome and genetic make-up of the embryo plus the uterine environment.

I don't know how old you are, but by aged 35 on average only 50% of your embryos will be chromosomally normal. Even when they are normal, a transfer of a tested embryo will only result in a baby between 50-70% of the time.

For the uterine environment, things like endometriosis or a low level of progesterone at transfer can have an effect.

There are things you could look into for next time like:
An endometrial scratch in your previous cycle before transfer to help with implantation
Review progesterone level at transfer if measured, check vitamin D levels
A hysteroscopy to check for any abnormalities
PGS testing to identify chromosomally normal embryos from your four frozen
Improve your diet, review your vitamins - see a nutritionist if you want more structured advice
Start / continue acupuncture

To be honest though, your NHS clinic will probably recommend the best course of action is to keep transferring the embryos you have left, given that it's likely that one of your five will work. You did really well to get four to freeze.

If you don't want to start throwing money at it (PGS for example is expensive) then I'd suggest asking for a scratch, checking vitamin D and improving your diet if needed. You could also request at least a further scan if your clinic won't do a hysteroscopy.

Faithful789 · 28/07/2021 12:36

@msgloria thank you so much for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time to give me some detailed feedback. I really need to pick myself up and focus on the next steps. I will be asking the nurse/consultant about more tests to rule out any endometrium issue.

Wishing you the best of luck with your future transfer. I hope we both get our BFP in the near future 🤞

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