Positive ivf stories with low quality embryo

[EmmaM750]

Hi, I just had failed FET and I'm devastated. Before i started ivf journey i thought it was sure thing, some injections and you have your baby. How wrong was I, and nobody tells you about emotional toll this takes on you and your relationship. The true financial cost of ivf, I think that clinics are not quite transparent about how much it costs. I will be 42 in few weeks, had 4 ivf cycles which resulted in 2 mc, one TFMR and my last cycle was big fat negative (startedmy ivf journey wheni was 39) after years of trying for natural conception. I never found out cause of my infertility, some doctors said i had pcos and others said no, i had HSG done which came back clear. Later i had suspected fibroid for which i had hysteroscopy at that appointment i was diagnosed with mild endometriosis which was treated (no fibroid) and spill and dye which showed one tube blocked. At follow up appointment doctor said that tube could appear to be blocked as it could have been spasming. When i started my ivf I had 16 eggs collected out of which 12 fertilised. I'm now down to 4 embryos which are poor quality. I have enough money for one more FET. I need some positive story to keep me going and stay positive. Has anybody been successful with poor quality embryo?

Thank you for reading my post and for support.

Hi @EmmaM750 Haven't looked on here for a while but I felt drawn to have a search and I came across your post. I so sorry to hear of your mc's. The sheer devastation and unfairness of this journey is torturous.

Can I ask how do you know you have poor embryo quality? Is it there grade of have they been PGT- A tested? We've had two unsuccessful rounds of IVF. They first they collected 18 eggs but none made it to blastocyst. The second we had 11 eggs and got 1 blastocyst. Sadly I miscarried at 8 weeks. They were quite certain this was because of an abnormal embryo. So 29 eggs and only one blast. We also have male factor issues and I am now 43. We plan to go to a Spanish clinic. Not least because if we go with the London clinics we are looking at £30,000. Happy to private message if it helps.

Hi Lulu106, Thank you for your message. I am sorry you are having such a difficult journey it is heart breaking, it is so unfair. And i am very sorry for your loss.
I couldn't afford PGT-A as it costs almost as much as FET and now I have only 4 embryos left and enough savings for one more FET. The quality is based on the embryologist grading. I can't remember what grade embryos i have left and not sure if i will ask because that might worry me even more. The last transfer i had it was two embryos 6b minus b minus. I know i want to try anyway.
Which clinic did u use in London? I'm with CRGH. I chose this clinic because of their results.
I wish your all the best and good luck. Stay strong and positive.

Hey. My friend had a slow-growing, not that great looking embryo who turned four recently. So it does happen, think of it this way - they just don't freeze embryos that are too bad quality to possibly work.

How many can you put back ? If I only had money for one last FET I'd want to implant as many as possible, especially if they're poor quality. I'd probably try and push for three.

@EmmaM750 it really is a tough ride for us both. We had our two rounds with Bourn Hall in Cambridge. We chose them for ease of location but they don't really have the level of expertise to support couples in their 40s. We recently had a consultation with CRGH which we preferred to ARGC buy the cost is restrictive. We're likely to go with a Spanish clinic who appear to offer what CRGH can for much less and they seem so much more compassionate.
My understanding is that embryo grading can have little bearing on embryo quality hence why CRGH said they wouldn't transfer any blastocysts for us unless they were PGT- A tested. Spanish clinic will also do this for a lot less. I will keep you posted 🌈🙏🏼

Hi Jadviga, thank you for your positive message. It's good to hear that it worked for other people who did not have top quality embryos. It gives me hope that this can happen to me and i can be lucky one.
Every time i had 2 embryos transfered, i will ask if i can have 3 to maximise my chances.

Hi Lulu106, i agree with you that it is difficult to find good clinic. I am surprised that they will not transfer embryo without PGT-A. I suppose this gives higher chances for the success but the cost is quite high. If you feel that Spanish clinic is right for you and you can travel there and possibly stay there for the duration of your treatment you should do it. My neighbour has friend who went to Italy for ivf and got pregnant at 46 or 47, I'm not sure if she used own or donated eggs. Please let me know what you decide. Happy to private message if you prefer.

Hi @EmmaM750 CRGH also said they wouldn't transfer without PGT-A testing. However, in Spain the cost is a fraction of what it is at the CRGH. I am pleased about the testing as it gives some reassurance although realistically it may not give the success we want. There's a lady on instagram who is pregnant at 45 following three eggs collections and PGT-A testing. She got a lot of embryos but I think only two turned out to be genetically normal. I feel getting genetically normal embryos is the biggest barrier.

how you getting on OP? I hope things worked out whatever way that looks xx

Hi, my previous ET failed, now i am down to my last two embryos which i plan to transfer in August. If that fails, i think this will be end of my ivf journey.

I am so sorry your last one failed - I can only imagine how you are feeling. I am also with CHRG. Having my first egg collection in August after two natural miscarriages at 36 and now have discovered I have low AMH and AFC and suspected endo at 37. I am terrified of how things are going to go. I can't believe I find myself in this situation. Sending lots of love x

Hi, sorry to hear about your losses. Hopefully u will be successful with an ivf, it is a good sign is that u can get pregnant. Ivf is a difficult journey with with a lot of unknowns and no guarantees. I didn't know how emotionally draining ivf was until I had it and how expensive. I wish u all the best and good luck qith your egg collection and ET. And remember don't let some statistics and test results get into your head. I have a friend who had at least 3 ivf's in her early 30ties (2 failed and 1 mc) and got pregnant naturally at 42 against all odds.