Unexplained infertility, starting IVF, other’s experiences?

[whomoon]

We have been classed as unexplained infertility after trying for over 2 years with no pregnancy or medical issues with either of us.

We’ve been confirmed for NHS funded IVF and are waiting for our first appointment to get started in the next couple of weeks.

I’m really keen to hear other’s experiences going into IVF who are/have been in the same boat.

things like numbers of eggs collected, number of good/bad embryos, successful/unsuccessful transfers, successful pregnancies. I don’t mean to be insensitive at all, but is there a ‘better’ chance going into it with unexplained infertility, than having known medical issues?

We have one round on the NHS, so feeling a little pressure for it to work.

thanks all x

Hi, not sure if this is helpful, but I was in your shoes a few years ago. I did first and only funded round of IVF aged 34/35 and got (I think) two day 5 embryos but no pregnancy and none to freeze. Was gutted because it was a very abrupt ending. Luckily I had saved enough to do a private round and that resulted in my now 4yo. Had four day 5s, two implanted and one pregnancy. I went back for the two frozen ones but one ended in miscarriage and another didn’t take. I then decided to do a second self-funded round for my now 10mo. I think we had 3 day 5s and 2 still in the freezer. Not sure if I’ll go back for those as I’m 41 now, but after all the effort and heartbreak it feels strange just to leave them there so I probably will. If only for them to not take and for me to draw a line under it all and move on. God knows what I’d do if both took!
not sure about odds of success with unexplained. I always found it hard to accept and wished there was a magical cure. But once pregnant I had easy and uncomplicated pregnancies (insomuch as an pregnancy is easy!).
anyway, good luck. The only advice I’d have is to take it very easy during the IVF and take time off work if possible. I didn’t and felt very stressed first time and regretted it. Doubt it makes a difference but it would have been more pleasant anyway.

The thing with unexplained is that it is unexplained. There must be some barrier, they just don’t know what. I guess for some issues it can be easily circumvented with IVF but maybe not for others. Ours is a positive story for you. We tried naturally for over 3yrs with no pregnancy before having tests which didn’t find any problems. We were offered IUI but went for IVF as I was 35 at that point. 20 eggs collected, only 7 fertilised but we ended up with 4x5 day blasts. The first transfer was successful and I had a fairly uneventful pregnancy. DS is now 2 and we’re expecting a second…. conceived naturally. A huge surprise.

I hope you have a successful IVF journey. We live abroad so there was no choice but to self fund. We decided that we would just do one round so also felt the pressure.

I’m 39 and we tried for almost 6 years with no joy. All tests for myself and my partner were fine so we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Some days I wished they found an issue as might of been easier to deal with.
We completed first round of IVF via the NHS. First attempt failed due to meds being low and low follicle count, second round recovered 14 follicles, 8 fertilised but 1 unusable, 4 made to 3 day but only 2 to 5 day blastocyst. We had 1 transferred and froze the second. To my absolute shock the embryo implanted but sadly miscarried at 8 weeks, im currently on meds hoping for the frozen to be transferred later this month.
I hope your IVF journey runs smoothly and your dream comes true very soon x

Hi, we are unexplained and have been trying for over 2 years. I had my first NHS IVF round in September. Collected 5 eggs, all fertilised, but only 2 made it to 5 day blasts. One was transferred, implanted and sadly miscarried at 6 weeks. I am waiting for the second frozen to be transferred, perhaps next month or Jan. Good luck with your journey X

Hi I’m new to all this so hope I don’t sound silly.
my partner and I have been trying to convince for the past 3 years we have our first appointment with an infertility doctor tomorrow and I’m so nervous. Any advice would be greatly appreciated I don’t know what to prepare for it’s been such a long road and I’m worried it’s going to be a lot longer .

@Tinkerbell098 @SH998 any update on your FET?

I too have unexplained and it really annoys me. I were on a low dose of nhs meds due to ohss risk (high amh and AFC) but only got 2 blasts from 46 follicles but only 5 mature eggs. 1 fresh recently worked but miscarried at 6+2, I just knew something wasn't right. We are now waiting for FET this month. If I'm honest I have no hope that this will work and no idea how long I'll have to wait for the next round of ivf.

@whomoon how did things go for you?

Hi @Fox01
still not pregnant! So we started IVF injections at the beginning of February. Meds went well, collected 14 mature eggs, 10 fertilised but only 2 blasts which was a little disappointing after having such good numbers up til that point.

’Excellent’ quality day 5 blast fresh transfered, starting bleeding day 9 so didn’t even make it to my 12dp5dt test ‘moment’.

The second ‘good’ quality blast is in the freezer which we’ll go ahead with in July.

Have so far enjoyed the time off from IVF and thinking about babies. It’s been all consuming so we’ve definitely needed that time out.

I feel the same as you ahead of FET, not feeling particularly positive that it will work, however the fact that your first blast implanted is a really good sign. Your body accepted it, but it wasn’t meant to be. I would be focusing on that if I were you.

I’ve never had a pregnancy, so I still feel like I’m in the unknown of feeling like maybe my body may never get pregnant.

@whomoon thanks for updating! I'm sorry to hear it didn't go to plan, I think that is the biggest thing I learned. I knew it would be a lot drugs wise but you could think of the best and worst and it will always throw in a scenario you didn't think of.

My friends first one ended the exact same as yours and she took some extra time to reconnect as she was pretty low (understandably) and her 2nd transfer worked and she's now a healthy 14 weeks now I think! She had 5 years with no positive too.

I constantly think of what is the cause, now I got pregnant it's the problem of getting pregnant (didn't happen in this inbetween cycle) and stay pregnant. I do not think I'll get a positive this next time round and if I do I'm pretty certain it'll be a miscarriage again. It because numbing.

I too have enjoyed the break, got back to the gym and running (since I couldn't do it during ivf etc) and just have a bit more fun and not have to pop pills or injections or pessaries. Now however I'm on a low on the lead up to this one because here comes the hormone weight, the no running or exercising which I love, scheduling things around the meds etc. I think it is the worst bit about ivf for me. There is no life. All you want is to give life but how can you give it when it's taken away from you. Family aren't that supportive and friends are onto baby no.3 so that isn't easy either. Just want to see the light!!

@Fox01 still plodding along! Had my first FET in November, negative result and since had a fresh round with 5 good blastocysts. We implanted 2 in Feb which again failed so have 3 frozen with the hope of starting again next month. Each failed attempt my hopes of ever having a child dwindles. I’m not confident that any of the 3 frozen will work.
This time I’ve had additional blood work and again nothing has shown, I’ve never wanted something to show in the bloods like I did this time, I could have cried when they said all was ok!
Good luck in your next attempt x

@SH998 thanks for sharing that. It does feel like it never will end, especially the more they test and find nothing. Have yon considered genetic testing for the embryos or immune testing for yourself? I'm nhs which obviously don't do it here but we will go private after the next round of ivf because if nothing is changing then how am I meant to believe the next one will work?