Anyone doing IVF at 40+ pt 2

[lucymills1234]

Setting up a new thread as the old one was nearly at the limit.

@Anxiousbuthopeful
@Islandstars
@Woodcottage1
@Unicorn9
@SerenditySunshine

@Bryterlayter1 they said all 3 eggs were mature 1 was degenerated 1 had a polar body but nothing g happened and other one has fertilised not sure what that means though?? I feel awful have taken the day off work and just got to wait until Wednesday for day 3 updates

@Pinklady81 fingers crossed it's a golden one.

We're out before we even started this round. My OH being positive means that he has to be negative within 10 days which is possible but there is still a chance I could become positive within the week. We feel delaying it is the best decision even though I'm gutted and we're not likely to have egg collection until June. Apparently this is due to the availability of the specialist incubator we have chosen. Our issue last time was poor embryo quality and I think IVF so close to having the virus is not going to increase our chances. The journey continues....

@Lulu106 I'm so sorry to hear this can they determine what makes the embryo not fertilise ? I'm assuming with my age it's quality but had a mild cycle of ivf which doesn't promote lots of eggs but quality ones....

@Pinklady81 interesting question. This demented me when our first round didn't work. I did a long protocol and got 18 eggs but only 6 fertilised with ICSI. The clinic suggested it was a combination of poor quality sperm and eggs. This time they recommended short protocol to focus on quality. We've just not got to that bit yet.

@Lulu106 did you get any to blastocyst stage on your first round? I'm feeling absolutely awful and due back at work tomorrow all I've done is cry and try to sleep which I can't do. It really is a steep learning curve for me but everyone keeps saying stay positive xx

@Pinklady81 sadly none of ours made it to blastocyst on day 5. They transferred a morula embryo which is low grade. It was a heartbreaking experience because it wasn't an outcome that had crossed our minds. Your experience may be completely different 💕

@Lulu106 that must have been heartbreaking I have been googling statistics and it's making me worse so suppose got to hold out and ride the storm

@pinklady81 googling statistics is my downfall. It's completely normal to feel upset and down at this stage. IVF is a huge emotional drain. Can you make plans to do something you'll really enjoy this week/weekend?

@Lulu106 I know it must be a tough decision but it sounds like the right one for you. I can only imagine how stressful it would have been to constantly worry about a very probable positive test once you have started the cycle.

@Bryterlayter1 I am back at work tomorrow couldn't face today don't know I will face it but got to carry on I suppose . I've googled the hell out of everything it's driving me nuts

Ah @Lulu106 sorry it came to that... you're doing the right thing, and June will come around quickly enough. I envy your composure, not sure I'd have the nerve to make the right call. I'm sure it will pay off... and... now you know that you can enjoy spring without all this cr@p taking over your life 😎

It will get better @Pinklady81 don't forget you're not even yourself at the moment after all the hormones! Like @Bryterlayter1 said, the first round is like a (expensive!) test run, to see what suits you. You might have a much better response next time.

My understanding is that most eggs that fertilise make it to day 3, and about 50% of them make it to day 5 blast, and then only some percentage of those implant... But I read somewhere it's easier to think of it like; every egg will be a baby or not, yes or no, so think of it like each one having a 50/50 chance... I find this one a bit more hopeful than all the Google statistics, maybe it will help you 😊

So my EC was due on Wednesday, but it will be Friday at the earliest now... I had a really pessimistic doctor at the weekend who suggested cancelling since there weren't many ans they were growing too slowly, but luckily back to my normal doctor today and she says they're doing fine and no problem to give them an extra couple of days... I'm practically 100% protein shake at this point trying desperately to make them grow since the weekend 🤷🏻‍♀️

@luckyNovember glad your Dr is optimistic, a day or two can make all the difference.

@LuckyNovember thanks for the support. I'm not sure I was completely composed in fact inside I felt like a toddler being utterly dysregulated. However, I believe in a element of divine timing (although mines about 10 years too late) and felt this was a little out of our hands. It was a lesson in not trying to control everything. Spring plans now feel exciting again so every cloud and all that.

Hi all,
I'm new here. I'm 40 doing my 7th stim cycle. Haven't had my scan yet, will be tomorrow. I've had 2 MMC.

Best wishes to everyone!

@cherry35 welcome and goodluck for the scan.

Hi All - just catching up!

@Lulu106 I’m sorry covid has ruined the cycle. It’s so so disheartening. But sounds like you have a good plan in place and I always feel better with a timeline. Can’t believe covid has caused so much endless havoc though! We nearly had our first round cancelled as my husband tested positive the day before trigger so I understand the stress. In the end they let us go ahead with a sample but I was/ am so worried about the impact.

@Pinklady81 everything is crossed for your remaining embryo. I know it is not the outcome you hoped for but as the others have said, 1 can certainly be enough and there is lots they can learn from this cycle. It is all a complete mindf&£k though! Sorry you haven’t felt well after EC…. Hope you are starting to recover now.

@Cherry35 welcome! Sorry to hear you have been through the process so many times. Do they know why/ what is happening? Have they been able to tweak anything for you this time? Everything is crossed that 7 is your lucky number 🍀

I had a failed fresh transfer in Jan (1st round) and am starting the prog this week ready for an FET next Monday. I also bled before OTD last time so have requested lubion in addition and really hoping it makes the difference!

Sending love and strength to you all 💕

@LuckyNovember

Good luck! Sometimes a couple of days extra crosses more follicles into a good mature egg.

I may have my EC Friday or Monday. Tomorrow will go to my first scan and will know more. A bit nervous.

@Hopeful199

I had 4 cycles with a bulk bill clinic and extremely poor fertilization rate; then last year switched to a private clinic and found sperm issues. Now with this clinic it's the first time I got embies in the freezer but had 2 MMC. Dr said at my age (40) is not uncommon to have 2 MC in a row plus BFN FET. This time we will test the embryos.

I'm on a stim cycle now with different protocol so a bit worried about the whole thing. With me sometimes the same medicine doesnt stimulate my ovaries enough and make less follicles, so not sure about this one.

Best wishes on your upcoming FET! I may have my EC on Friday or Monday.

@Hopeful199 looks like we're keeping pace with each other again 😂 Let's both have better luck this time!!

@Cherry35 oh wow can't imagine your frustration with those first four cycles 😡 We too have sperm issues, and I was mad they made me do all the tests first before checking him... nothing by comparison! Im so sorry for you that it took away precious time 😒 but good that they understand it now, and are looking after you better.

Im also 40, we started TTC "seriously" 2 years ago, and DHs health problems, global pandemic, end of the world, etc, delayed a lot of things; we finally did our first fresh cycle in January, nothing in the freezer so am going again now... feels like a race against time, but also much less stress second time around as I know a bit more what to expect 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hello ladies so clinic rang and said day 2 embryo looks fine but want to know if I want to go ahead with pgt testing which I originally opted for .... is it worth it if the embryo does get to day 3/5 ? Also is there any supplements you are taking as I'm starting to think my eggs are to blame for the poor fertilisation due to the endometriosis I'm on pregnacare and take omega 3 1000mg thanks everyone for all your help and support so far

@pinklady81 I would have thought whether or not to do a pgt would depend on the grading when it gets to blast stage. Are they asking you to make the decision now?

@Bryterlayter1 yes they rang me this morning which I thought was a bit strange seeing as it's day 2 so any call from a clinic I'm on my nerves! Nurse said embryo was fine today not sure what that means ...

Hey @Pinklady81 great news for the embryo, it's on the right track! you said you were banking? Does that mean you wait to collect a bunch of eggs before testing them, or you test as you go? I guess you should see what they say about its development; some embryos don't freeze well, in which case I think you'd be better off having it transferred than freezing for testing; you'd find out in 2 weeks of it works or not... If it's good quality (I.e. if they think it's strong enough to handle defrosting) then I think you can be more comfortable with freezing it, in which case go for the testing 🤷🏻‍♀️

I take so many supplement i rattle 😂 I was taking ALL the supplements in the book "starts with the egg", but everything was taking so long that I was sick of it and spending a fortune!! I've scaled back now, I take ubiquinol, folic acid, vit D, myo-inositol, Cordyceps and a multivitamin... honestly I should feel like superwoman on all these supplements and I don't really, so not sure if they do a lot... but then again they might just be the missing piece and I figure it's worth a try ☘️