Anyone facing infertility 40+ part 3

[Woodcottage1]

Just continuing from the previous thread

@onewishplease how is it going? Did you see Ali?

Hi @Woodcottage1 thanks for the message and checking in with me, I appreciate it. I have seen Aliya twice since we were in touch. I booked ahead and have a few more Saturday appointments before Christmas. The first app was on the the first day of my period, I looked exhausted and had just been in the car for 3 hours (my partner drove) so I think she thought I was in a bad way, said my kidney meridian was on the floor, and not to try at all the coming month. So I didn't. I put the thermometer away. Had a few drinks and actually went to Spain for a few days with a friend. I went through all of the questions with her, and the homework was more aubergine, bone broth, meat on bones, resting vertically between 5-7pm, early nights 10/10.30, walks in the sunshine and 3litres of water per day...there was actually more but these were the main ones. Second app was a couple of weeks ago. My condition had improved and I was told to focus more on gratitude and a vision board, warm feet and monitoring my flow so that she can work out where to go next. I do feel inspired and positive when I leave. Like you said, her needling approach is different to other acupuncturists I have been to (2, both Chinese) and I can feel the effects straight away. She said they hold for longer the stronger you get. So we shall see. I have not had any glutathione IV (I think you were advocating for it in previous messages?) and you have said about the conception cup, which I will get but we haven't tried to conceive since we were last in touch. I have had almost 10 hyperbaric oxygen sessions, which I have felt a subtle shift of increased energy from. Still fasting for longer periods in the first part of my cycle. Majority of food is organic. Don't really drink alcohol or caffeine etc. So I think that is you all up to date! I hope you are keeping well and thanks again for checking in Xx

@onewishplease I'm so sorry for the late reply, I’ve been on holiday and missed this. I’m so pleased you’re seeing Ali, I really believe that getting me into balance got me pregnant and kept me pregnant. I am sending lots of hope to you.
Regarding the visualising I think this is really important. I named Archie on my first visit with her, following my 2 failed transfers. I was so sure I was going to get pregnant last year and when both ivf treatments didn’t work, I felt surprised. So when Ali told me of the importance of telling myself I was going to have this baby I named baby. Archie is 3 months now.
I really believe in the conception cup too. I know the fear about plastics etc, but it might make a difference and I think it helped me.
Im really hoping for you x

@Woodcottage1Thank you. And for sharing your lovely story about Archie. I’ll keep in touch X

Hello Mumsnet community,

Can I piggy back off this conversation??

I’m reaching out to see if anyone has been in the same position/has some advice on the following situation.

My partner and I have been going through IVF for the last year and a half after three years of trying to conceive naturally. I (female 40 years old and three months, unexplained infertility - other than my potential age - AMH of 6 ) and my partner (male 38 years old, with low motility, mobility and morphology), which we have been using icsi to address.

The first three cycles really weren’t great, one day three embryo and one 5 day blast 3BC was and didn’t implant.

With Cycle 4 - we got 2 day 5 blasts (4BB transferred and 3BB frozen) - it didn’t implant.

With Cycle 5 we got 4 day 5 blasts (5AA transferred, frozen 2 5ABs and 1 4AB+) - it didn’t implant.

Prior to cycle 5, doctors recommended genetically testing the embryo as repeated implantation issues is likely as a result of the genetic make up of the embryo. We didn’t think it was worth it at the time as we never got more than 1/2 embryos and didn’t want to risk false negatives and having nothing left to give a go at implanting. The results of cycle 5 came as a big (but pleasant) surprise.

But now that we have had both not great quality and great quality embryos fail to implant and that we are able to produce more than one/two embryos, I understand the logic of genetic testing (hindsight is a beautiful thing!)

I’m now trying to figure out the quickest way to obtaining a successful outcome, given my age.

Is it to do the 4 frozen embryo transfers over the next 6-7 months, which would take me to my 41st birthday. Or should I do another round of stimulation (given that my clinic is closed for Christmas the soonest I could go again would be January/ February - where I would be 40 years old and 6 months) and genetically test those embryos. Has anyone faced the same predicament? How did you proceed?

Apologies for how long this message is. Any information or share experience would be gratefully appreciated whilst I await my follow up consultation. Much gratitude and appreciation xxxx

@AmpleFox sorry to hear the journey has been so tough for you. It's brutally unfair.

I would be tempted to explore implantation issues before anything else as you are actually producing good graded embryos. Have you looked into your uterine function?

If I can explain we went through 4 rounds of IVF with OE. They collected over 50 eggs in total but we only got a few embryos. On round 2 we transferred a 4BB, but tragically miscarried at 8 weeks. For subsequent rounds we tested 3 embryos and they were all abnormal. My point is the miscarried embryo was likely abnormal but it implanted.

As well as my ancient age (we started ivf when I was 42) my partner had low motility, 0% morphology and high DNA fragmentation. We saw the infamous Mr Ramsey, who gave him the all clear as he has fathered a child in a previous relationship. This is my precious stepson who I adore immensely.

I am now 18 weeks pregnant with a DE which was the easiest of all the cycles for us. This is a personal choice.

I'm currently training in coaching and would be happy to have a chat if you think it would help.

Baby dust ✨