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

@IslandStars thank you. Bourn Hall weren't not good at discussing options regarding protocols. I presume I did a long one. I was so pleased with the amount of eggs and that 6 fertilised but the 5 day result was devastating. Especially so as now my partner is suffering with severe anxiety and depression. I will explore the options you mention. Thank you so much for replying. Today I really needed someone who understands to reach out.

@SerendipitySunshine huge congratulations! Any tips?

Thanks @Lulu106 - I think maybe we've been lucky to (so far) have had two transfers and two pregnancies. We did the usual long protocol (I'm still on Lubion, cyclogest and progynova until the end of this week) plus 75mg aspirin daily. I also took some probiotics before transfer to help with the biome (not sure if this helped or not) and daily vitamin B, C and D. Oh and had acupuncture around the transfer. But mostly I think it's the luck of the draw.
I also thought the transfer had failed this time because I had bleeding on d10p6dt but so far we seem to be OK.

@SerendipitySunshine it's a minefield. All my injections stopped before egg collection and I'm only taking crinone (progesterone) cream post transfer. Interesting how different it is.
Thank you for sharing

@SerendipitySunshine glad you’re ok, best of luck for the scan, very exciting! I’m sure it’s been very stressful too, but you’ve come a long way. The worry never ends dies it!

@Lulu106 You’re welcome, there are so many ups and downs along the way. I agree with Sunshine, I think so much of IVF is down to luck and the first couple of cycles can be trial and error in terms of the best protocol for you. Frustrating as we obviously don’t have endless amount of time and money! I think from eggs to blastocyst, my clinic told me to hope 30% make it, as a drop off is normal, but the amount can vary widely from what I’ve seen here.

@Lulu106 meant to add, your clinic should offer a free counselling session as part of the cycle, if your partner or both of you need it.

Hi @IslandStars dilemmas indeed - I'd take 100 injections over having to make all these decisions! Where are you with everything?

I'm going for a fresh transfer. Whatever else I get, I'll freeze and then if the fresh transfer doesn't work, I'll decide what next, whether that's try and scrape the money to do another cycle or just PGS what I have. It will depend on numbers, too.

My day 8 scan today showed 10 follicles over 10mm so it looks like that will be my result this time. I'd like a few more but I realise the quality will be the key.

@Lulu106 welcome! Where are you in the TWW now, is it nearly OTD? It's so hard, I hope you're managing to fill the time. I got 18 eggs on my second cycle and a good no of blasts but nothing worked. It's crushing when you think you are doing well and then..... not.

@SerendipitySunshine it feels like the time to your 12wk scan has flown but sure it's felt like anything but fast for you! Hope all goes well.

Thanks so much @lucymills1234 - had it today and it went well. Still not telling anyone as I don't quite believe it, but relieved to see a little heartbeat again.
It sounds like you're doing brilliantly - 10 follicles is great. I had really poor results all the way through and just got lucky on transfer.

@lucymills1234 10 follicles should be really good, that sounds like a good number to get quality as well as quantity. Glad you’ve come to a decision, I think fresh will buy you the time you need to make the final decision on another round and/or PGS.

I’ve got my day 6 scan booked for Thursday, so if all goes to plan I’ll EC around 10th.

@SerendipitySunshine Huge congrats on the 12 weeks, how lovely to see your little one again at this stage

Today was test day and it was negative. Feel numb. I knew it would be but feels like Hope has left the building. I haven't had AF so will test in a few days as directed.
My partner is not well enough to support me emotionally at the moment.

@Lulu106 So sorry, I know it’s completely devastating, even when you’re almost expecting it. As much as we try not to get our hopes up too much and be realistic, it’s still so stressful when it fails.

Sadly I don’t have any advice which can take the pain away right now, I know the coming days will be tough, but just have a think about what you want to do, if anything, when you have a clearer head and your partner can manage it.

Sending lots of love @lulu106

@Lulu106 sorry to hear that xx

I'm feeling very despondent tonight in general. I just wish all of us could get pregnant and have healthy babies x

@LouScot sending you virtual hugs and healing. Wish the pain would end and we could meet our babies 🌈

@Lulu106 look after yourself especially over the next few days xx

Hello - I recognise some names from other threads (hi!) but haven’t posted here before.

I wondered if any of you are doing / have considered natural / mild ivf? I’ve just finished my second cycle of ivf and I think there’s mostly an issue with egg quality so wondered if a lighter stimulation might help?

My first round I was on 450 gonal f and had 4 eggs, all of which fertilised, then had a fresh transfer of one BB and one VEB. BFN. My second transfer I had 300 gonal f and 150 menopur and had 11 eggs, 9 fertilised, only one made it to blastocyst (CC). On day 3 they had told me that there were still 6 embryos but none had grown beyond 5 cells and all had a high degree of fragmentation. I realise my age (40) is definitely a factor, but I wonder if the high level of stimulation is also a factor in the egg quality? I have low AMH (2.7), so can see why I’m on a high level of stimulation if the goal is maximising egg number, but I’m just wondering whether a more gentle stimulation wouldn’t result in a lesser number but higher quality egg(s). Ultimately, I only want one decent one. So just wondering whether it might be worth moving clinic to create to see if mild / natural modified might work better for us and interested to know if others have considered it/are doing it? maybe I’m just clutching at straws - grateful for any views!

We’re currently getting our single blast PGT tested, but I was not really sure if it was worth it. I’m not optimistic for its chances, but would rather not put it back at all than have another heartbreaking 2WW….

Sending hugs to the recent bfns

@99pctpractice I’ve done mild IVF at Create. I think for low AMH, it’s better to focus on a few eggs of quality, rather than over stim and produce immature eggs. The approach was great for me in terms of embryos, although I haven’t had success yet in terms of BFP. Create don’t agree with forcing your body to produce eggs which would not naturally be there, so they work with what you’ve got in terms of follicles, but can sometimes get a few more eggs.

However I know it isn’t a ‘one practice fits all approach’. I was only on 150 Bemfola, as I do have a good ovarian reserve for my age. Create do free monthly online seminars, so it would be well worth signing up to one of those.

That's amazing @SerendipitySunshine, I understand your caution but that's a major milestone passed.

@IslandStars I can't believe how quick short protocol is compared to long! I feel like this round has taken forever. EC is hopefully not far off, I have a scan later so will know more then.

@Lulu106 so sorry to hear that, it doesn't matter how much you think you've braced yourself, a negative test really hurts. Take care of yourself.

@99pctpractice I've not tried mild IVF - I'm on 300 Ovaleap though I do seem to have good ovarian reserve for my age. As with so many things in IVF, I've read both positive and negative reports on mild. If you have a partner, has he been investigated as well? Might be something else to look at as the other vital part of the equation before you significantly change approach.

@lucymills1234 hope the scan goes well. I don't think i could deal with down regging now, short protocol is so easy, only around 10 days of stims and then EC! Side effects are generally minimal for me, it's the medicated FET drugs that i hate the most.

Thanks @IslandStars I have 7 follicles between 20 and 23mm, another 4 between 16 and 19mm, then a couple lagging around 10mm which are too far behind. It feels like follicles have grown more evenly this time - not that I know whether that makes any difference at all! Clinic thought everything looked good so I'll be triggering tonight for EC on Wednesday. I'll get a call later with timings. I hope the follicles pushing towards 23mm don't over mature before EC.

10 days of stims then EC sounds great! So much quicker which means fewer days that your life is revolving around the process of giving injections etc.

Need to plan some distractions for the time after EC whilst I'm waiting to find out whether there'll be anything to transfer...

@lucymills1234 That's great, i think you should hopefully get a really good number, be able to have a fresh transfer then fingers crossed, something to freeze and maybe test. Good luck for Wednesday.

Been ages since i had that 5 day wait after EC to see which embryos make it. My last EC was January! This time i'll hopefully be heading back in for a fresh transfer too, so that adds another dimension. I suppose there's always a chance i'm called in for a day 3 transfer if the numbers are low or not looking good, but i'd be more comfortable with a blastocyst.

@lucymills1234 good luck with the trigger tonight!!! Hopefully a good number of healthy eggs are lining up just right for you :-)

Thanks all. This thread has kept me going the last few days.
@IslandStars you mentioned mild IVF a few days ago and I'm researching ferociously. I really want some professional, impartial advice on the best IVF options, but that doesn't seem to exist. I've signed up to the Create Fertility webinar tomorrow night as someone suggested. ARGC have the best stats for women over 40 but who knows. It continues.

Good luck for tomorrow @lucymills1234

Hi, I only came on mumsnet at the weekend as I was desperately looking for success stories oe people in a similar situation. Is it OK for me to join?

About me I am 41 been trying for over 2 years. Everything seems to have been delayed due to covid but found out 6 months ago husband had motility issues. Then I went to care to have the scan and blood tests and Amh pmol was very low 0.18 pmol 1.3 and they were very candid about chances of success as could only see 2 follicles on my left ovary and said the right one had no follicles. I was so upset and annoyed with myself that we left it so long to get help and didnt start trying until later. I think as my mum had me later in life I thought no issues putting it off.

Care said 5% chance of success with my eggs. I am looking into natural IVF with Nurture Fertility now. Has anyone else tried it?

Reading your post @lucymills1234 good luck