Difficult embyro transfer

[Jenjen06]

Just had such an unexpected difficult frozen embryo transfer and was looking for some reassurance as I start the dreaded 2ww. Sorry for the long post but it was quite a shambles!

In august I had my first fresh transfer with 5 day A blast and had a smooth transfer but sadly ended in a biochemical pregnancy. I transferred the two remaining C grade blastocysts today (natural cycle) which took over an hour. The dr couldn’t get the catheter into my uterus properly. It kept curving upwards to the top of my uterus instead of going straight in. After several attempts he called in another dr to try. Again that didn’t work so they decided to use “the last resort” by using a tenaculum to grip the cervix and managed to finally get that catheter through the cervix straight into my uterus. Wasn’t as painful as they were telling me it was going to be and I was just thrilled they managed to get in there. Pillow was soaking from my tears. They transferred 2 embryos and just when I thought it was over the embryologist alerts us that 1 of them was still stuck on the catheter (which had blood on it). They had to get a new clean catheter and start again using the tenaculum and just before they start the transfer they tell me both of the embryos were actually stuck on the original catheter. The first transfer just launched in some fluid. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I went from positive vibes this morning to feeling like there’s no chance on earth this is going to work. Both doctors said the stuck embryo situation was extremely rare and had no data on how it would impact success. I googled and found articles saying blood on catheter is a terrible sign. I’m bleeding lightly and just feel really deflated and confused. It doesn’t feel real. Has anyone experienced a difficult transfer? How do I cope with this?

Hi @Jenjen06 I've not had a transfer yet but wanted to reply - sorry you had such an ordeal it sounds horrible. The reason I wanted to reply was that only last night I read about challenging transfers on a blog I've just found from a former embryologist called embryoman, basically saying sometimes embryos can occasionally stay on catheter first go but can still be successful. If you Google him it might reassure you. Hope you get some rest this afternoon x

Thanks so much! That’s so super weird. I was literally reading his Facebook post when I got your notification! So many comments saying the stuck embryo ended up in a successful pregnancy. Feeling much more positive and trying to treat the 2ww like I had a normal straightforward transfer. Thank you again. The support really lifts my spirits

I haven't had a difficult transfer, but I have had a transfer and I know how much it means to have that hope. Yours sounds utterly awful and must have been so upsetting. I'm glad you've found some reassurance. I remember them checking the catheter after my transfer, and the way they calmly did it as I lay there waiting made me think it wouldn't be a massive problem, so hopefully the embryos not coming out first time doesn't mean they were harmed at all. I really hope it works for you

Sorry to hear this happened. My two embryo transfers were both tough but standard. However, I had one practice transfer which was brutal due to 'tight cervix'. So I can sympathise with the pain / discomfort. Good luck.

I just read this x

Hi @Jenjen06 just to say me DP had a very difficult transfer which took 45 mins, two doctors, different catheters etc. But it stuck and we now have a 3 month old daughter. X

I expect the embryo getting stuck isn't as rare as your doctors said it is, because it's standard practice for the embryologist to check the embryo is no longer in the catheter after a transfer.

I'm sorry about this ordeal it sounds really stressful. I hope it has worked. If it hasn't you might want to try a mock transfer and also speak with them about them doing the next transfer with you sedated. My friend has a retroverted uterus and her specialist insisted on doing the transfers under sedation.

@Jenjen06 I had a very similar experience to yours for my transfer on Saturday. The doctor also had to grip my cervix with forceps to pull it straight to get the catheter in, and the embryo stayed stuck in the tube on first attempt so they had to repeat the process a second time and it did transfer the second time. The nurse reassured me at the time that they do sometimes get stuck, and that it could be a good sign if it's a sticky one as hopefully it will stick inside me. It's a pity you didn't receive the same reassurance at the time! The doctor also said there was some blood on my cervix but didn't seem overly alarmed (I'm not going to Google that one as I don't really want to know!) Fingers crossed for both of us for a good outcome! 🤞🤞🤞

@kitekat81 Sorry to hear you've had a difficult transfer as well. I'm really glad the staff were re-assuring and thank you very much for sharing their views. It helps to make me feel more calm and positive. I contacted the dr who performed the transfer to explain my concerns about blood on the catheter and he has now re-assured me that it would have come from my cervix as opposed to my womb, which is less of an issue. Sounds like the same applies to you. Keeping everything crossed that both of our transfers have happy endings! Will keep you posted and thanks again for writing Xx

Hi jenjen06,

I just read this post today after having a difficult transfer myself. It was my first transfer after 2 rounds of stims (1st cancelled due to poor response). This one had 2 eggs from 4 follicles, 1 fertilised which apparently was a really healthy looking embryo, but none to freeze. I was feeling really positive and then the DR struggled for ages to get the catheter in, she said I had a pinhead cervix and a curve. One catheter she showed me ended up bent at the tip with blood on it where she tried to push it through. She eventually called the head DR who also struggled. He told me to go to the toilet and empty my bladder, after that it seemed much easier although not much could be seen on ultrasound. They also checked the catheter after to make sure the embryo had been flushed which it had.
It seems this whole journey is 1 hurdle after another, nothing can ever go smoothly.
Did you receive any more follow up? Really hope your embryo stuck.

@kivt I know my clinic gives you option of having transfer under sedation (for a fee) but might be worth trying in the future if you need further transfers, as no one wants to go through what you've experienced

My clinic doesn't offer it. They talked about if the last attempt didn't work freezing the embryo and trying with hysteroscopy at a later date. I just hope this is the one and I don't have to go through any of it again

This happened to me 10 days ago. And even after the embryo was finally transferred, it was jut by the entranced of the wall not all the way in or even in the middle. From that moment I knew it will not be successful. She tried several times to get the catheter where it should have been without success. Embryo had to brought in the room about 3 times and taken back as the dr was not ready. I knew this was all going to have an impact on the transfer. Today I confirmed as 10dpd5t BFN.

I won't let this happen again for my next transfer. Best to know everything was done the right easy and it comes down to the blast quality.

@kivt Fingers crossed for you

@Justhopeful Sorry to hear your outcome, hopefully you can review cycle including the difficult transfer and make a plan for things going more smoothly next time

@2mumlife From my findings they should have offered a mock embryo transfer so the physician will be aware of how my uterus is shaped. And next time I would also request they do the transfer under mild or regular sedation so the are able to manipulate the cervix without worrying about the discomfort I feel so the embryo is transferred with ease.

We'll have a review of the cycle, appointment to be booked after officially confirming BFN tomorrow.

Is a mock transfer standard practice or only if they suspect a problem? I have not heard of this before.
I did try to push my clinic at the start to test if my tubes were open. They said they only do it if there's a history of pelvic surgery or STD. I said I know loads of people without that history who had blocked tubes, my own sister had hers done and got pregnant next cycle. I'm annoyed they wouldn't do it now as I feel tHe issue witH my cervix would have been picked up then.
I guess I can't change the past, just hope this little embryo can tough it out

@Justhopeful @kivt With all my tranfers (3 now) they've passed a mock / empty catheter first through the cervix, before then passing through the catheter with the embryo through if thats useful info.

@kivt My clinic did a HyCoSy as part of my initial testing (but I was doing IUI first, so they needed to check tubes were open)

@2mumlife that makes a lot of sense. I would speak to them about that. Thank you.

@kivt I realize now that mock transfer is very important, as it is a trial run to allow the physician to test the size and placement of the catheter with your particular anatomy before the big day. Before I thought it was meant for the patient to see how it works.
*
Funny how I looked into everything else but that.*

Especially for people like me who have had surgery. Fibroid removed.