Second IVF try - did they change your protocol?

[Whisper99]

Hi all

I'm after some advice please, in general, did your clinic change the meds you were on for the second, third try of IVF?

I had one unsuccessful cycle with the clinic in Europe. After speaking to the doctor, they want to keep exactly the same meds and doses for the second try. Is this normal practice?

Many thanks

My first try was fully medicated and I reacted horribly. Super emotional, nervous, heart palpitations etc and it didn’t work. The next time I asked them about different options, but also stating that if I have to take the meds to get the result I would obviously do it but they said that I could do a non-medicated try with just one injection the day before the transfer. They even said that the outcomes are actually marginally better! So we did it and I felt more relaxed, more myself and it worked! Whether it’s a coincidence or not I don’t know but please don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions, there’s nothing to lose! Best of luck 🤞🏻🍀💓

First round didn't work, second round was same protocol and resulted in my son! So much of this is just a numbers game...

@Whisper99 my 1st round was OK, not great, 2nd round they put me on a different type of drugs and a higher dose, and I also did a few more days of stims. They also changed the trigger shot, and initially I was going to double trigger as well in round 2 though that changed last minute. I got slightly more eggs but a better maturity/fertilisation rate. I was happy ro have had my Dr make some changes and they worked well for me, but a lot of it is luck!

Such a game of chances, isn't it...

Thanks for the replies.

I'm poor responder, only 6 follicles grew, three eggs extracted with two fertilised and transferred on day 3 unsuccessfully.

I didn't have any reaction to the meds, so maybe that's is why Dr is sticking to the same medication.

Thanks all.

I want instant and guaranteed results

@Whisper99 I had very similar results to you; it’s so disappointing isn’t it? My first round was short protocol but for the next go we are switching to long, but with the same strength for stims and a double trigger this time. I don’t know if that is the norm but they said that increasing meds too much can affect egg quality. All the best to you :)

Hi OP, when you say you’re a poor responder is that because you are under the averages for your circumstances? What is your age AMH and AFC?

Reason I ask is that in some circumstances 6 follicles and 3 eggs might be in line with what isexpected, but in other circumstances this might be considered a poor response. Depending on the answer to that depends on whether you should be trying to push for a new protocol.

I was a poor responder, probably due to my age - despite having an AFC of 12, I only got 4 or 5 eggs each time. I was on the max dose of Menopur (now Meriofort? I think) and they wanted to keep my protocol the same for my second round, as they said they don’t typically change anything until you have had 3 failed transfers and it’s just the odds. But I begged the Doctor in case there were any extra meds I could add. They added a Buserelin flare and an extra trigger shot - and although I only got the same number of eggs, they said they were better quality that time around and it gave me my son. Good Luck!