IVF round 2

[waitingforourmiracle]

Anyone else due to start their second round of IVF? I've got initial tests booked for later this month, I had my first round Feb last year, 21 eggs collected but only 1 embryo on day 5 which ended in a mmc

Has anyone found that the start up of the second round is so overwhelming?? Our first round was NHS so we was pretty much just told where to be and when! This time I feel like I'm on my own! The amount of different options, packages, prices!!! I feel like the money adds massive pressure! It all just feels so unfair😔

Sorry for the little rant! Would love to speak to anyone in a similar position x

We've just had a failed one and going to start the next one asap which unfortunately due to a clinic shutdown will be feb/march time.

I'm actually feeling better about this one, our first was also private and we're sticking with the same clinic. I think I know what I'm in for. We're sticking with the same protocol too. 1st round was 8 eggs , all fertilised, two blasts at day 5 but not great quality so we transferred both, also had a day 6 blast but quality was too poor to be frozen.

I liked having the same nurse everytime, and they were always really chatty - same with consultant so I'm actually looking forward to that side of things. And the injections were fine for me, it was just the 24 hours after egg retrieval that I didn't enjoy.

Have you chosen a clinic? The consultant should be able to guide you through the options. Ours is basically the standard package, it worked fine the first time, it's just a case of getting a better quality embryo - which protocol can't do much for.

Due to start down regulation in February. So nervous. First cycle ended with total failed fertilisation and been told if it happens again, we’re out 😔 and no chance of our own baby

@Confusedddddddd sorry to hear about your failed cycle. Your so positive, I love that! We're going with Manchester Fertility this time, we were with Create last time, they were good I couldn't fault them but Manchester Fertility just seems abit more experienced with male factor, hopefully we can make more of a plan after the consultation like you say, more than likely going to use Access Fertility packages

@ivfjourneyandme sorry to hear that, it must be so tough, when was your first cycle? I pray your next round had a better outcome

First cycle was December just gone. Sending baby dust to all x

@ivfjourneyandme best of luck with round 2, are you sticking with the same clinic x

@waitingforourmiracle yes we are. I bought the access package to help with costs so unfortunately can’t switch x

@ivfjourneyandme We're looking at Access, do you think it's been worth it? X

@waitingforourmiracle if we don’t get total failed fertilisation again and can go again, it’ll be worth it. Otherwise no

@ivfjourneyandme I have everything crossed for you! X

Did you do ICSI, PICSI, calcium ionophore and dual trigger? All of those can help fertilisation. So can DNA fragmentation testing and associated supplements.

I did my first round last Feb too, and another one since then. I'm aiming to freeze enough blasts for more than one child, so I'm considering a 3rd round. The cumulative trauma is exhausting though, and the cost, so I've not signed up for round 3 yet.

@emanresu24 we did ICSI, since then my partner has had a varicocele embolization after it being picked up on a scan, he's been taking proceive supplements so hopefully that will have helped! Every part of the process comes with it's own stress!

Good luck to you all. @waitingforourmiracle my husband is also having embolisation end of this month. We were advised to wait at least 10 weeks post that before cycling again. We had a failed cycle in Oct last year. I only had 1 blast on day6 fresh transferred which didn’t implant. I read that fresh transfers rarely work on day 6 but that’s a story for another day I think!
We since found out about my husband’s dna frag and significant varicoceles (two SAs normal). I’m really hoping that’s what’s mainly causing our issues. I also have a low AMH so adding that to the mix. I’ll look forward to your updates if you’re happy to share. Rooting for you!

@Pep1952 you say his SA were normal. How was fertilisation?
We also had slow growing embryos and the clinic just blamed my age (39). Because we had full fertilisation they say his sperm is fine ( but I also know he wasn't exactly being healthy so DNA fragmentation has been at the back of my mind)

Hi @Confusedddddddd . Yes both SAs were normal (two different clinics as one was via local hospital on Gp’s referral). His dna frag was not tragic i think 5% above normal range but we thought we’ll just treat anyway to increase our chance for success. So for our first cycle because of my AMH only had 5 eggs collected, all were mature. We had ICSI and sadly only two fertilised then both were morulas on day 5. In retrospect i should have insisted transfer of both on day 5 but we live and learn! On day 6 one stopped growing and the other one was a medium grade embryo.

@Pep1952 sorry to hear about your failed cycle, everything crossed there is an improvement, we're booked in for initial tests a week today and have a follow up consultation the following week so will keep you updated on if there is any change! My other half had poor results on all factors of his previous SA - his count was only 2mil, we have never had DNA test done though!

Thanks @waitingforourmiracle i hope it all goes well for you! My consultant suggested we switch to a long protocol in our second cycle and also add a Zymot device to hopefully get the strongest sperms. I’m very nervous about downregulating but taking some reassurance from others here on MN who said that long worked better for them despite their low AMH. Good luck with your appointment, list all your questions beforehand! Xx

@Pep1952 Ooh I've seen a few post mentioning Zymot - has it worked out a lot more expensive for this? I'll enquire about this! XX

@waitingforourmiracle i think it’s around £300 extra in my clinic.

@Pep1952 I will enquire about it! Hope the wait till your next round isn't too bad, I struggle alot with the waiting! Best of luck xx