Repeated IVF Failure

[asualum08]

Wondering if anyone has any advice, I used to be on the "Then Comes Family" board... I recently had a fresh IVF transfer and FET transfer, both from the same batch and both resulted in BFN. Both embryos were grade B, the FET embryo was 6B hatching. In each cycle, I felt implantation cramps and lots of pregnancy symptoms initially, which faded up until BFN. The fresh transfer there were no concerns about lining, with my FET I was 7.8 when I started progesterone so close to 8 but not quite there. I will say of the 7 embryos, 5 of the ones not transferred stopped developing between days 5-7 and didn't make it to freeze. So now I'm wondering- is it possible to just have an entire "bad batch"? Or if 2 embryos appeared to be decent but didn't implant, is it a lining/implant issue? Why I'm stumped is my first IVF last year, we only had 1 embryo early blast (none sent to freeze), but we transferred and on my first try it stuck no prob. Unfortunately, we lost our angel at 22 weeks from placenta abruption/preterm labor (a second horrible mystery). I had a D & C the month after because I still had a lot of placenta particles left, so I also wonder if my uterus was somehow damaged in that process but they used vacuum instead of scraping and had normal hsn after. Haven't had my reconsult with doc yet, but likely have to move to international IVF we are going broke, I'm sure PGS testing is going to be suggested I'm just wondering if there is any other tests I should get?

[bonzo]

I’m sorry for your losses.

PGS testing could be helpful. Since 5/7 arrested, it’s possible that the 2 that made it to blast weren’t good quality or weren’t euploid.
An ERA (endometrial receptivity assessment) could also be helpful to see if they’re transfering on the right day.

I hope you get some answers and a plan with your doctor. Good luck!

[jense927]

*Grad Warning* I hope it is okay to chime in here. Our stories are somewhat similar. I had a placental abruption with my first. We didn’t have any TTTC for that pregnancy but when TFAS we went through 3 IUIs, an fresh IVF cycle that we made it through retrieval but got put on hold for a transfer due to a large c-section scar that was collecting fluid in my uterus. That cycle we had 8 eggs fertilize and only 2 made it to blast. Two separate failed FETs. Another fresh cycle 7 fertilized and two made it to blast. One failed fresh cycle one failed FET. Another fresh cycle 4 fertilized and one made it to a morula which we transferred fresh. Got pregnant but then lost the baby at 6 weeks. Betas were a mess from the start.

The cycle that finally worked for us we transferred 2 fresh at day 3. I have no idea what finally made it work but my RE told us before the last cycle sometimes it’s jusg presistance that makes the difference in the end. Obviously that’s easier to take when insurance will cover most expenses though. Hugs I really hope you get some more good advice here and come to a decision you are happy with.

As a note..they ended up doing genetic testing for this pregnancy and I came back positive for factor V Leiden...they think this was a major contributor to my placental abruption. I am on lovenox now as a preventative measure. If you haven’t already looked into genetic clotting factors, it might be worth it to bring it up to your RE.

[asualum08]

Thank you both for your responses. ERA is a good suggestion I hadn't thought of, thanks for that. And Jense, yes our stories have some painful similarities. I actually did do Factor V testing a few months ago, I was convinced it could be related to my abruption after reading online and I'm anemic, but as it turns out that wasn't it I guess. Like you I'm hoping if I keep trying eventually one will stick and I will stay pregnant. I'm starting to learn all of this doesn't always make sense. One cycle we only had 1 single embryo on day 5 not even graded who stuck, the next cycle 7 embryos decently graded and ended up with BFN and BFN.

[jense927]

Jul 28, 2018 19:38:35 GMT -6 asualum08 said:

Thank you both for your responses. ERA is a good suggestion I hadn't thought of, thanks for that. And Jense, yes our stories have some painful similarities. I actually did do Factor V testing a few months ago, I was convinced it could be related to my abruption after reading online and I'm anemic, but as it turns out that wasn't it I guess. Like you I'm hoping if I keep trying eventually one will stick and I will stay pregnant. I'm starting to learn all of this doesn't always make sense. One cycle we only had 1 single embryo on day 5 not even graded who stuck, the next cycle 7 embryos decently graded and ended up with BFN and BFN.

Yeah I hear you. My failed cycles were all nicely graded blasts. 4AB, 3AA. The one that stuck (but ended in M/C) was a morula no grade. Makes no sense. My background is in science so that part of it frustrated me so much. Also doing the same thing and expecting a different result seems so futile but biological beings are so complicated. Hang in there ((Hugs))

[jacks]

asualum08 I recently had an ERA done after a failed FET. The results indicated that I needed an extra 24 hours of progesterone before transfer, so hopefully that is the missing piece for me. I was reluctant to do the test at first, but I’m glad we did now.

[sally]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I don't really have much more to add. This whole process is confusing and difficult. PGS might help. ERA test might give more info, although if you've had a transfer that worked I don't think that's the issue, but I'm not a doctor. I've also heard of immune or clotting issues as possible reasons for losses, but I think some of those are controversial and expensive to test for, but again not a doctor. There's so many possibilities and it's hard to know what's the magic formula to get it to work, I know. Good luck whatever you decide.