3rd Chemical Pregnancy, No Answers, Please Help!

[kellym]

I have know been through 5 IVF cycles, 3 of which have resulted in chemical pregnancies. the last round I had a number of tests performed that all came back normal. I still have no answers as to why this could be happening. But the pattern is distinct. I feel the implantation cramping 6-8 days after ER, then on day 14 (after ER) my symptoms suddenly stop (no more sore boobs), then a day later I start bleeding. I know people say that this aren't pregnancy symptoms but rather progesterone symptoms, but if I continue taking my progesterone why do all the symptoms suddenly stop 1 day before I start bleeding. In each case, I get a positive beta on my first test and the second beta drops.
Has this happened to anyone? Is there a reason why this keeps happening.
This last cycle, I had 3 good quality blast embryos transferred. The last time I had 4 'perfect' embryos transferred (3 day transfer). If my embryos are so good, is it my hormone levels?
Any suggestions would be great so that when I go for my review appointment, I can ask some questions around this.
Kelly

[Ghost]

What kind of cycles are these? All fresh non-donor? Any frozens?

How good is your clinic with frozen embryos? If it's a US clinic, their statistics should be published somewhere.

If you don't mind me asking, what's your age and infertility diagnosis?

[IVFMUM]

Hi Kelly, I don't have any answers for you but I just wanted to post to say how sorry I am for your loss.
You've been really positive and encouraging to the people on this site and I'm sure all the girls from our thread will be most upset to hear your news.

I'll be thinking of you

[ozstock]

It might be worth posting your question on the forum section of this website which is hosted by IVF doctors... http://sharedjourney.com/yabbse/
They may have some answers for you.
Good luck

[beachbaby]

Hi Kelly, i am so sorry for you, and sorry i cannot help but i will follow this thread closely. I have had 2 chemical's and are currently waiting test results to see if there is a problem. We have male factor. I have had one fresh cycle and two FET's which were my two chemicals. No one seems to have answers, when i asked my clinic they said they get chemical pregnancy results daily, its the most popular result, but they only test us if we have had 2. what tests did you do?
good luck with some answers.
J

[ashley]

Oh kelly i am so sorry honey . I know you r feeling awful with a big fat question in your mind " Why Me ????? " . Kelly i dont have answers to your questions coz i was never ever lucky to have a positive beta even once .I am just stuck with some stupid implantation thing . Kelly i know its hard but plz plz take care of yourself . Your day will surely come . I am praying for you and all the ladies here who know how nice you are , are praying for you too.


Please take care.


Ash.

[kellym]

Thank you to all your posts. I don't know how I would survive without this forum!

Ghost, to answer your questions... I am 35 (started this process when I was 32) and our problem is male factor. My husband has had children before but had a vasectomy and then a reversal - the RE thinks his body built up antibodies to his sperm. But he still has some just very low motility, and count. All 5 cycles have been fresh, 3 resulted in chemical pregnancies. The last three cycles were antagonist using puregon and repronex. So far I have been tested for thyroid problems, B12 deficiency, blood clotting disorder, and have had a HSG. Everything come back normal.
I just checked and the FET stats for my clinic are 17% full term pregnancy - that doesn't seem promising to me.
Is there anything else you would suggest I ask my RE to look at? I wondered whether my hormones are messed up in the first 2 weeks causing the pregnancy to terminate... is that possible?
Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

[tamiam]

Kelly - I'm sure you've done tons of research on the matter ... but here's a little info that I came across. (I didnt know what Chemical Pregnancy was so I had to do some basic research. Anyway, the sections below under the question "What causes Chemical Pregnancy?" and "How Can I Prevent a Chemical Pregnancy?" provides some reasons that you might want to run by your doctor if you haven't done so already.

What is a chemical pregnancy?
A chemical pregnancy is the clinical term used for a very early miscarriage. In many cases, the positive pregnancy test was achieved before the woman's period was due but a miscarrige occured before a heartbeat was able to be seen on an ultrasound.

With the ultra sensitive pregnancy tests on the market today, it is easier than ever to get a positive result 3 or 4 days before your period is due. It is wonderful for those who NEED to know, but does have it's down side. Early testing shows chemical pregnancies which would not have been detected had the woman waited for her period to arrive.

Chemical pregnancies are unfortunately very common. 50 to 60% of first pregnancies end in miscarriage very early in pregnancy. Most occur without the woman even knowing that she was pregnant.

What Causes a Chemical Pregnancy?
Most chemical pregnancies are due to chromosomal problems in the developing fetus. Other possible causes are inadequate uterine lining, uterine abnormalities both congenital or acquired like fibroids, low hormone levels, luteal phase defect or certain infections.

How can I Prevent Chemical Pregnancies?
Most chemical pregnancies can not be prevented. If you have recurring chemical pregnancies, your doctor should be able to investigate and help you formulate a treatment which is best for you. Potential treatments include vitamin B6 (at least 50mg a day), progesterone cream, and baby asprin. Be sure to discuss potential treatments with your doctor. If infection is the cause, antibiotics prescribed by your Doctor can help.

[2ndtimer]

I'm really, really sorry for your bad luck. I can relate since we also started out with just diagnosis of male factor, then I get "perfect" embies that just don't stick.
I think I would really start looking around for a different MD. Especially if they haven't significantly changed your protocal or tried new things. The 1st clinic I went to only had 1 protocal -"Lets do everything again just like we did it last time and just see if somehow it works this time."
It seemed like way too expensive of a gamble for me so after a couple of years of ?'ing our next step we found a new clinic. No BFN's yet, but I'm much more hopeful.

[wattsjl]

Kelly,

I am so sorry for you. I had my 6 week ultrasound today and they said the fetus stopped growing 6 days ago. I don't know if this is considered a chemical pregnancy but from the research I have done, thats what it sounds like to me. Has your doctor given you any more explanations? Mine said he did not know why it happened but we will try again next time. I am nervous that it will happen again????

[amy]

Did you have all the APA testing done? I found out after my last chem pregnancy that I test positive for antiphospholipidantibodies which apparently cause me to clot faster. I am now taking baby aspirin and lovenox this cycle to help end this issue. I would definitely ask your clinic to explain some options before you try again. I would think that calling other clinics and getting some second opinions might be helpful as well.

Good luck to you...

[wattsjl]

Amy,

Thanks so much for your help. Can the APA test be given at any time with just a regular blood test?? This cycle I did take a baby aspirin but nothing else along with it. I will definitely ask about that. Thanks again!
Jenni

[kellym]

Hi,

Yes I have been tested for the whole variety of blood clotting disorders (apparently there are quite a few). I have no idea what tests are left. I haven't done a frozen cycle yet so hopefully my body reacts better to that. throughout my cycles, it has been discovered that I respond best when my body is least manipulated. So perhaps I'll do fine with a FET - at least that is what I am hoping!

I am meeting with my RE on July 24th so hopefully we can figure out something then.

Kelly

[amy]

I had the entire immunology testing done and that was just through a standard blood draw. The problem is that there are only a handful of labs that do it so mine had to be drawn from home and then shipped to Massachusetts?? or somewhere on the east coast. It was called Repromedix and it is a fertility lab. It was quite expensive, but I felt worth the results as it tests for ALL of the immunology disorders that can affect fertility. So frustrating for us! All we want to know is why.... I hate that we all have to pay so much for the answers! Good luck to you both.