Ovaries not accessible

[Tokunb]

I have just received a call that my ovaries are not accessible. Two days ago at the initial scan they were able to see 4 follicles on the left and 2 on the right. There is 4cm fibroid infront of the left ovary and the left ovary is too deep inside. I had a myomectomy surgery last year to remove huge fibroids weighing 6months old baby the 4cm one was left due to blood loss.

Im 39 years next months, we have been trying for 9 years before finally able to save for ivf. I can't stop crying 😢 I wish to conceive with my own eggs.
Are there other options for me to conceive? As anyone else experience this and still achieve pregnancy via ivf or natural conception?

Hi there

Sorry to hear about all this... I was also told my right ovary was inaccessible (the better functioning one) because it's tucked behind the uterus and there's a fibroid in the way.

I had egg collections cancelled while waiting for the left ovary to make the leading follicle, then it did and I had eggs from 2 follicles collected but they didn't make it past day 3. I was with Create St Paul's but then moved to Create Wimbledon as we also moved houses and it was closer.

The surgeon Dr Roston there however said there's almost nothing that can stop him from collecting the eggs from the right ovary and he did - we got 5 eggs, 4 fertilised, 3 made it to day 3 and 2 made it to day 5 so they could be frozen.

Currently I'm waiting for him to get back from holiday so I can do my final round of IVF as he did what 5 other surgeons before him said they couldn't.

If you are able to change clinics (unless you're already with Create) I'd recommend you get the opinion of Dr Roston at Create Wimbledon, hope this helps:)

Hi, I would also advise getting a 2nd opinion if you can. I was told by 3 clinics that my right ovary which was the one that had 3 folicles was inaccessible, tucked behind uterus. I went with CRGH who pressed lightly on my ovary and it popped forward and in their words was easily accessible! I've had 3 ECs mainly from dominant right ovary. I really hope you are able to get another opinion. X

Hi @SPR40
Nice to hear you found a clinic that could help you!
As you've already had 3 collections perhaps you've already had transfers too? Would you like to share your experience? I haven't reached that stage yet, it seems that my left ovary can't make anything so only relying on the right one. Good to hear someone else also have a dominant ovary.
Thanks and good luck!

@Summerishere83 hiya, I was doing freeze all cycles. Low AFC, low AMH, high FSH and premature ovulation risk...add my alleged inaccessible ovary and a kink in my cervix.

I did 2 years total ivf, 1 year privately with CRGH which is where I had the 3 collections, 10 stim cycles in that year.

3 folicles (all right side) 2 eggs, 1 fertilised, 1 day 5 blast
6 folicles (5 in right but 1 super dominant in left) 3 eggs, 1 fertilised, 1 day 5 blast
7 back to back unsuccessful stim cycles where only right side did anything but estrogen levels showed folicles likely to be empty
Last cycle 2 folciles, (1 left, 1 right), 2 eggs, 2 day 4 blasts (changed from mild stim to a more aggressive stim for the last cycle coz why not after 7 cycles of mild that did nowt!)

So what I would say is every month is different, every cycle is different. We were aiming for 4 embryos frozen before we started transferring.

We transferred the one from our first cycle and i am currently 33 weeks pregnant. I wish you all the best in your final cycle and when you move onto the next stage.

Having the right clinic for IVF is absolutely critical as it is one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced. I'm glad to hear you found a good one that has been able to support you. Xxx

Hi @SPR40 oh wow 33 weeks pregnant, massive congratulations! What a journey that was for you, glad it was worth it! What grade was the embryo transferred? Why were your blasts from the last round frozen at day 4?

Yes my situation is the same (minus the kink in the cervix and plus polyp (removed) and fibroids) and I wasn't expecting to hear you were successful with the first transfer, well done!

My clinic is nice I'm just petrified that after the 3rd round there are no more egg collections! And who knows what quality the frozen embryos are with my experience. But great to hear your news!

Do you mind telling me what supplements you've been taking or just any lifestyle tips perhaps? I'm turning 40 this month.

@Summerishere83 typo on the day 4...they were day 5!!

I also had a polyp removed, but this was just before transfer for me as that's when they found it!

Embryos were 3x 3BBs (+/-) and 1 3AA (the 2nd cycle). The one transferred was 3B-/B+. We weren't expecting it either it was an unbelievable surprise!

I am 41 at the min, was 39 at the start of stims with CRGH, 40 by the time of the last collection.

Supplements were DHEA, COQ10, Vit D, C, folic acid and iron. I don't know if any of this actually helped as I always took these supplements and had that run of unsuccessful cycles.

We chose not to test our embryos and only do single transfers. The other thing to add, during stimulation my folciles were super duper slow at developing. The first cycle they wanted to abandon as there was only 1 folicle for ages and it was small and slow, we said we didn't want to abandon and to continue as you may only ever get 1, we continued and did 2 extra days of stims with them checking daily if we wanted to abandon cycle, and this is the embryo that is currently 33 weeks.

We know we were really fortunate to have success on the first transfer, it was completely unexpected and I am sending you all the positivity for your 3rd cycle to add to your 2 frozen and the next steps ✨️❤️

Hi @SPR40
Many thanks for your reply!
Yes, very similar situation and stats. I'm on the same supplements and I have to ask another question - what was your DHEA dose? I'm only taking 25mg once per day as I blame it for the new fibroids and a cyst I got when I first started it at 3x 25mg, it's all self-medicated of course so very unsure about it.
Thanks for your positivity, I really appreciate it:))

Hi I was on the 3 x 25mg 😊 xxx

Thanks @SPR40 ! :) How long before the first egg collection did you start it? Any side effects?