Question for Ghost
Question for Ghost
Hi Ghost, I just had a failed IVF cycle and I am already under the care of a new RE that I have more confidence in....my RE didn't want to change anything for the next cycle. New RE (REACH in Charlotte) recommended ICSI to improve embryo quality (by selecting best sperm) and prevent more than 1 sperm from fertilizing a given egg (I had two embryos that were ruined because more than one sperm fertilized). He also is going to be more aggressive with my lining because it was not up to par with this last cycle. He also is going to try to get me to a 5 day transfer if possible (this recent cycle I had 3 day). He said that you can select better if you wait until day 5. He would also like to empirically use heparin as I have a recent history of chromosomally normal miscarriage (clotting studies, autoimmune and karyotype on me were normal). He wants me to remain on metformin. Does this all sound like a good plan for me..I just turned 38 few weeks ago...I am healthy....hx of anovulatory cycles... I am worried because I feel like my eggs are old...New RE says don't worry you have time..he said there is a big difference between a 38 year old and a 42 year old. Ghost my main question for you is regarding a suggestion made to me by a girl on another IVF message board that I post on. She recommended that I inquire about Assisted Hatching. She stated that it could help someone of my age increase chances of achieving pregnancy. New RE didn't mention Assisted Hatching. Wanted your opinion as to whether I should inquire to new RE. Ghost thanks again for all that you contribute to this board. You are truly a special human being!!
Me 38 Anovulatory Cycles, Recurrent M/C
DH 34 Healthy
no kids/ 2 furbabies (cats)
4 Clomid Cycles, 2 BFP, 2 M/C
1 Cycle FSH/IUI cancelled/too many follies
IVF #1 Sept 2008 BFN
IVF #2 Jan/Feb. BFP!
Beta #1 583 Beta #2 1283 Beta #3 2967
DH 34 Healthy
no kids/ 2 furbabies (cats)
4 Clomid Cycles, 2 BFP, 2 M/C
1 Cycle FSH/IUI cancelled/too many follies
IVF #1 Sept 2008 BFN
IVF #2 Jan/Feb. BFP!
Beta #1 583 Beta #2 1283 Beta #3 2967
I agree with what your RE said, but keep in mind the 38 year old versus 42 year old statement applies to the average. Patients vary. But yes, the average 38 year old has a much better chance of success with non-donor IVF than does a 42 year old.
As for AH, we never use it. The REs I work with hypothesize it's not necessary with ICSI because ICSI already creates a weak spot in the zona. The ICSI hole is much smaller than one that might be used for AH (or PGD for that matter), but it's still a weak spot.
Some studies suggest the endometrial receptive phase is advanced a couple of days by ovarian stimulation, and other studies suggest this is a major reason why faster embryos tend to implant more often than slow embryos. Assisted hatching just might help an embryo to hatch sooner and therefore, maybe, be ready to implant while the endometrium is still receptive. Of course, we are just talking hours here, not days, so I would not expect miraculous improvement. Older patients tend to have fewer embryos, therefore are less likely to have the fastest ones to choose from, and therefore might benefit more from AH. There is considerable evidence the endometrium is screwed up by ovarian stimulation, but the forms of the disruption are many, and some aspects are delayed, while others are advanced.
Others think the embryos in older patients have a hardened zona and the embryo might be unable to break out and hatch without assistance. Of course, an embryo must hatch before it can implant.
As for AH, we never use it. The REs I work with hypothesize it's not necessary with ICSI because ICSI already creates a weak spot in the zona. The ICSI hole is much smaller than one that might be used for AH (or PGD for that matter), but it's still a weak spot.
Some studies suggest the endometrial receptive phase is advanced a couple of days by ovarian stimulation, and other studies suggest this is a major reason why faster embryos tend to implant more often than slow embryos. Assisted hatching just might help an embryo to hatch sooner and therefore, maybe, be ready to implant while the endometrium is still receptive. Of course, we are just talking hours here, not days, so I would not expect miraculous improvement. Older patients tend to have fewer embryos, therefore are less likely to have the fastest ones to choose from, and therefore might benefit more from AH. There is considerable evidence the endometrium is screwed up by ovarian stimulation, but the forms of the disruption are many, and some aspects are delayed, while others are advanced.
Others think the embryos in older patients have a hardened zona and the embryo might be unable to break out and hatch without assistance. Of course, an embryo must hatch before it can implant.
Avoid IVF and surrogacy in Ukraine. Ukrainian centers pay shills to post here under numerous sock accounts pretending to be patients in Ukraine. Centers using such deceptive advertising cannot be trusted and should be avoided.