Hi both. Just spotted this thread and wanted to share my experience. After 10 years of not being able to conceive, I am now just over 24 weeks pregnant after my 3rd cycle of IVF. Cycles 1 and 2 (one fresh, one frozen) were under normal straightforward protocols as there were known male infertility issues and I seemed healthy - got a BFP each time but then miscarried at 8 weeks (in one case after seeing a heartbeat).
So before the 3rd cycle we each had a load of immune tests (Phase 1 and Phase 2 tests, or whatever it is called). Mine came back with hits across various test results including NK cells. I ended up on quite a heavy treatment regime for this 3rd cycle (which was with our last frozen embryo) - at one point I was having about 20-25 tablets or injections of various kinds a day, plus monthly intralipid treatment and acupuncture every 2 weeks. I also reduced my workload significantly to take it as easy as possible. Anyway, something has worked as baby is miraculously doing well at the moment!
As I say, I was on a ton of prescribed stuff but this did include prednisolone steroids (up to 5 daily, i.e. 25mg, during the first trimester) to suppress immune system, as well as monthly intralipid intravenous treatments (not as scary as they sound), also to try to control the immune response.
I've also been on delightful Clexane injections to thin my blood as one of the other tests suggested that blood flow to my womb was poor and that could have been a reason for miscarriage.
I'll honestly never know whether it was the Prednisalone, intralipids, Clexane, high dose vitamins (I'm also crap at metabolising folic acid), acupuncture, taking a break from work (I am lucky enough to be self employed so this was feasible), or if we just finally struck it lucky with a decent plucky little embryo, but something has worked this cycle as we've never even got close to this stage before. So I can't say for definite that I could isolate the prednisolone as the key factor but just thought I'd share my experience.
All the very best of luck, IVF is very trying emotionally and physically but there is hope xxx
P.S. Everyone is different but after keeping it secret for our first cycle, I found it much easier to be open to family and close friends about the fact we were undergoing IVF when we got to cycle 2 and beyond. The support that we've had has been amazing. It's true that you perhaps don't fully understand unless you've been through it, but I still found my friends keen to learn about the process and support me through it. Hope this helps.