How many times?

[Angela37firsttimeivf]

Hi, just had my second negative result and need some inspiration! How many times did it take before you got pregnant, and if any of you had to endure failure 5 times or more, how did you cope with it every month and what helped you carry on? Thanks, Angela.

[My2LnT]

Hi Angela, I did 3 rounds and it was the 3rd that landed me my BFP. The first 2 times we transfered 2 blasts each time, the 3rd time I pushed for a 3 day transfer and put 4 back. The only thing that was different besides the days and amount was I added accupuncture to the last cycle. hey they say the 3rd time is the charm right?.... I wish you all the luck and just an FYI there were women that cycled and posts I read about over 5 tries and getting a BFP I think there was one that got her BFP on attempt 8. Any way best of luck on that BFP.

[fulloffaith]

Angela,

Sorry for your BFN. I went thru 2 fresh cycles and 1 FET, all BFNs. And no one could tell me why. Then I changed doctors, we did alot more tests, he put me on some new meds, I did my 2nd FET and since this was our 4th attempt and last try, we transferred 3 embryos and they all took! We are pregnant with triplets, sometimes I still can't believe it after all the disappointment we went thru. But I guess when it is meant to be it happens. I just kept praying and believing that one day God would give us a baby somehow. And He answered us big time! Don't lose hope. I know it is hard to keep going but have faith and be strong. If it can happen for me, it will happen for you honey!

BIG HUGS,
Allison

[amy]

Hello Fulloffaith -

Sorry to butt in Angela but I have a few questions as I too got my BFN today. I have had 2 Fresh and 1 FET and we have 7 blasts in the freezer. Did you take your blasts or embies with you to the new clinic? What type of testing did they do and how was the drug regimen different. My clinic is already encouraging to go to the FET and I am hesitant only because of the three BFNs with them. I would love more info so I can make a better decision and get the happy ending I am so chasing.

all the best,

[fulloffaith]

Hey Amy,

Well my clinic did an HCG test and thought I had a hydrosalpinx. They wanted to take my remaining tube and I just felt uneasy about that. That was at the end of last year and I decided to get thru the holidays and then go to my OB for a 2nd opinion. He looked at the picture and didn't think it was what they said it was. He wanted me to go to a friend of his for a 2nd opinion so I did and liked him so much. He agreed with my OB that it wasnt a hydro and he considered my failed ivfs as miscarriages due to the fact that I always transferred 2 excellent embryos. So he did a detailed look at my uterus to see if there were any fibroids, blood clots, etc, blood tests to check my hormones, tested me for killer cells to see if I was rejecting my DH's DNA. He also did a mock transfer so that he could measure the exact place where the embryos would go. i thought that was neat, he was so thorough. When all of that came back negative and we never saw my tube filled again, he said I didnt need surgery and we were good to go with the FET. So I transferred the embryos over to him, I was on Lupron, Estrogen patches (which I took pills for last time) progesterone shots twice a day instead of once, metformin(said it helped with hormones and implantation), dexamethasone (steroid just in case my immune system was fighting off the embryos), baby aspirin, and Heparin injections (thinned the blood flow in the uterus to make sure no clots were forming and helped with implantation). I know it sounds like a lot but before all I took was lupron and estrogen patches then the progesterone after the transfer. I really believe the extra steps he took helped our success. They also did assisted hatching at the time of transfer, my husband got to watch. he said it was amazing.
if you don't feel comfortable with them or they dont seem like they are wanting to do anything extra to figure out the problem than I would get a 2nd opinion before you spend more money.
My dr. said why keep doing the same thing if it isn't working. And that made so much sense to me.
So it took months to do all the tests and had to wait a few cycles but it was all worth it in the end!
Where do you live? I would recommend my dr to anyone!
Good luck sweetie, let me know if I can help anymore.
Allison

[amy]

Oh Allison, Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. I totally agree with "don't keep doing what doesn't work" mentality. This cycle we added baby aspirin and heparin and 1cc of PIO in the evenings. I had a bad feeling on transfer day that I already felt like I was going to start my period and he said it was most likely the progesterone... I just wish I had asked for a blood draw to confirm that my levels were high enough to sustain implantation. On Sunday when I started to spot I was devastated and called the office Monday morning to get some support. They said it could just be implantation bleeding, which I did think was a possibility, but by the afternoon I just didn't feel right. On Tuesday I called and asked for a blood draw and didn't get the slip in time to do the test then so I had to wait until Wednesday. I finally got the results yesterday and they gave me the numbers for my estradiol and progesterone but just said they were normal. I don't know if I believe them as they were also telling me that my hcg was negative. They were quick to talk to me about the FET and say that then I would be on estrogen patches and progesterone and do it again, but I am thinking that isn't enough. I have spotted every time and feel that with the right amount of monitoring they should be able to keep my levels so I at least don't spot before the test date. I am going to ask them for some assessments, but I am also going to call around to the other two clinics in the Sacramento area and see what they can do for me. I am such a people pleaser that it will be hard for me to walk away from them, but I also just want to be pregnant and don't care who can make that happen. As you said - it is so much money. I would say we are already in over 25,000 and that is crazy! We don't have that kind of money to waste! I wish I was in Texas and I could go to your clinic and get the same thorough treatment you did, but I am going to ask for you assessments verbatim at the other clinics to ensure a thorough check up. You have given me so much hope.

Thank you!
and all the best with your triplets!

A

ps... did you transfer three blasts??

[Malinka]

hey Angela sorry about your BFN... I got 2 BFN thru 2 fresh cycles. I got BFP on my 3rd cycle with a different doctor.

Good luck!

[Kate21]

Hi Angela,

Just thought I'd let you know it took me 6 tries before I feel pregnant!! I had one fresh and 2 FET with one cl,inic and the same with another one, the only difference with the second clinic was that they waited for my embies to go to blasto stage. As for coping with the failure, I'm not sure I did very well!! I had decided that this was our last attempt as I couldn'[t face either the emotional or physical strain of trying again. DH was great throughout and I certainly couldn't have done it without having his shoulder to cry on. Crying definitely helps, you need to let the disappointment out and then you pick yourself up and start all over. You will know when enough is enough tho.

Allison - congrats to you, not sure whether you remember me but we cycled together on our first try? How far along are you? Like you said everytthing comes to those who wait!!

Kate

[Angela37firsttimeivf]

Wow, thank you so much for all your replies. That is inspirational. Doc has also made a few changes to my cycle. I'm now on Estradiol tablets instead of the Gonal F injections. He said sth about my lining not being all that thick, which may be the problem. We only have 3 eggs left, so if none of them survive, we wont have spent too much money on the lead up, as the tablets are cheaper than injecting. But I heard the tablets arent as reliable. Can anyone enlighten me on that? If this one doesnt work, we are also going to change clinics. That seems to be the key for some doesnt it?

[fulloffaith]

Amy,

Yes we tranferred 3 blasts all with assisted hatching. Had no idea all 3 would work! Keep me updated on what happens and let me know if I can help anymore!

Hey Kate, yes I remembered your name. So glad you too are finally prego! You deserve it girl! I am 14 weeks now, getting bigger by the day!

Angela,

I too was on estradial tablets to thicken my lining, it worked but I never got a BFP.. My new dr. put me on Vivelle Dot patches and my lining was great and I got a BFP. I don't know if they are any better but I think it is better in regulating the estrogen. Because if you are low they just have you add a patch. If your lining is not as thick as they would like it there are other things they can do. I would question them on that. Good luck sweetie!

[ptfmb71]

Angela,

It's sort of a double edge sword. With a Fresh Transfer your endometrium (uterus lining) may be overstimulated form all the meds, but the doctors will always do a transfer with fresh eggs. With a frozen transfer since there is no egg extraction your endometrium gets a chance to build up. It worked for us on our 2nd attempt which was 2 frozen ET's. The doctor told us he was very confident it would work in our 2nd or 3rd attempt because of this. We also tried Accupressure on the 2nd attempt so maybe that has something to do with it (our doc recommended it also). Although it's not familiar to us it's been practiced for a lot longer than western Med.

good luck I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Still trying]

It has taken me 9 years. 7 failed ivf, my tubes removed and last week on our 8th go ( tried icsi this time) we got a BFP. I know its a long wait but its worth it. Don't give up, its worth fighting for xx