Accidentally posted in IVF forum. Now I'm posting this in the General Forum, too:
Hi, I'm new to this board. I just had my first IVF in June - got pregnant, but it only lasted 2 1/2 weeks. HCG numbers were never very strong.
I'm 37. Quit my high tech job in October to reduce stress. Found out tubes were blocked in November after 2 years of trying to conceive (Why did I wait so long to get tested?). Had tubes removed in January.
We had 8 healthy looking embryos - 5 are frozen. Will probably try those or else maybe a full IVF cycle in August after consulting with the doctor about our options. Any thoughts on whether to do full IVF cycle or FET for second attempt?
I've been reading the posts and it has been so helpful to know I'm not alone. I admire you all. We are some of the bravest women alive, IMHO. Thank you so much for your posts.
First IVF Failed - New to Board
HI there
Just to say welcome - as you can see you aren't alone!
Many many many peoples IVF fails first time (not that that will make you feel better for now) - the fact that the embie clearly took - although not strongly maybe - is a really good sign.
Stick with it -sounds like you are being incredibly brave and already thinking about the next step - take a bit of time (even if its just a couple of months) -to chill out a bit and have a few drinks!
YOu have lots of frozen embies (I had none after my first failed treatment and was told our chances were basically zero - am now pregnant after ICSI number 2 - at the moment anyway
!).....I digress - anyway I would be tempted to try with the FET - it has a good chance of working -its cheaper and much less invasive
I think your chances are really good - just don't give up would be my main advice!
Good luck!
Cazx
Just to say welcome - as you can see you aren't alone!
Many many many peoples IVF fails first time (not that that will make you feel better for now) - the fact that the embie clearly took - although not strongly maybe - is a really good sign.
Stick with it -sounds like you are being incredibly brave and already thinking about the next step - take a bit of time (even if its just a couple of months) -to chill out a bit and have a few drinks!
YOu have lots of frozen embies (I had none after my first failed treatment and was told our chances were basically zero - am now pregnant after ICSI number 2 - at the moment anyway
!).....I digress - anyway I would be tempted to try with the FET - it has a good chance of working -its cheaper and much less invasiveI think your chances are really good - just don't give up would be my main advice!
Good luck!
Cazx
Hi Alicia,
Sorry the first time didn't work out for you. I also had a first failed IVF/ICSI in May and will now be doing a FET this month. I would go for the FET before doing another fresh cycle. The cost is much less plus, even if you have to do a medicated FET (like me) instead of natural, it is still better than having to go through stimulation and an egg retrieval again.
My clinic told me a lot of people have great success with FET's. They said that some of their patients only get pregnant doing FET's! I guess the rationale is that one's body is less traumatized than it is during a fresh cycle which gives the embryo a better chance of implanting.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck! I'm glad you found this message board as it is great! I don't know how I would have gotten through my first attempt without the support I received on here!
Staci
Sorry the first time didn't work out for you. I also had a first failed IVF/ICSI in May and will now be doing a FET this month. I would go for the FET before doing another fresh cycle. The cost is much less plus, even if you have to do a medicated FET (like me) instead of natural, it is still better than having to go through stimulation and an egg retrieval again.
My clinic told me a lot of people have great success with FET's. They said that some of their patients only get pregnant doing FET's! I guess the rationale is that one's body is less traumatized than it is during a fresh cycle which gives the embryo a better chance of implanting.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck! I'm glad you found this message board as it is great! I don't know how I would have gotten through my first attempt without the support I received on here!
Staci
alica
Alica,
If I were you I'd got for the FET and for me it would be a moral issue, To me they have first choice of getting to the next step.Why go for more when you have that potential there.
I had first cycle recently which failed af ter leaving my stress full job last Oct bhe homes out t didnt have any frozen and in my clinic their policy is if women have frozen embies they must take them for their next cycle they say if they did not do this they would have a hospital full of frozen embies that no one wanted whcih is quite sad really considering all the homes out there for them.
Good luck.
Bro
If I were you I'd got for the FET and for me it would be a moral issue, To me they have first choice of getting to the next step.Why go for more when you have that potential there.
I had first cycle recently which failed af ter leaving my stress full job last Oct bhe homes out t didnt have any frozen and in my clinic their policy is if women have frozen embies they must take them for their next cycle they say if they did not do this they would have a hospital full of frozen embies that no one wanted whcih is quite sad really considering all the homes out there for them.
Good luck.
Bro
This has been so helpful! Based on your feedback, it makes a lot of sense to do FET. I guess after the first attempt failed with the three best embryos of the bunch, I assumed that the lower graded ones would not have a chance.
Do they grade embies in the UK? Our frozen ones have grades of 7-8 (number of cells) and A to A- (quality). I'm sure the doctor can explain what the grades mean to me.
The first IVF used three 8A embryos, which is the best rating. I figured we would have to go for more 8As before trying again, but maybe that's not true. My followup appointment is July 19, so I'll write after that to hopefully join the August Cycle Buddies thread. Bye for now!
Alicia
Do they grade embies in the UK? Our frozen ones have grades of 7-8 (number of cells) and A to A- (quality). I'm sure the doctor can explain what the grades mean to me.
The first IVF used three 8A embryos, which is the best rating. I figured we would have to go for more 8As before trying again, but maybe that's not true. My followup appointment is July 19, so I'll write after that to hopefully join the August Cycle Buddies thread. Bye for now!
Alicia
Alicia, I just wanted to say, like the other girls, FETs have a very good chance of succeeding now, I think fresh ivf slightly has the edge but not by much and as someone else said, the less stressful and medicated cycles suit some people better.
I hope she won't mind my mentioning her name but Tracey S, who is a wonderful and very supportive person on the boards, is very pg with twins following FET. I think, from memory it was her 5th tmt. If you see a post from her elsewhere, check out her signature/under her name and you'll see she's a very strong lady and an incredible source of support to the rest of us on here.
My local hospital has the best public fertility clinic in the country and are about to change their FET regime to only transfer one egg back as their success rate is so good!! My town is full, and I mean, full of twin prams!!! I'm not with that clinic as I'm too old for public clinics
but it means standards here are are very, very high.
FET has a good track record and besides, why wouldn't you use them? Less expensive, less invasive tmt and meds and have a good chance of succeeding. We have a different grading system but was firmly told last week that only embroys that are good enough are frozen, they never freeze sub-standard grades. Go for it
we'll all be here for you.
hugs,
Debra.
I hope she won't mind my mentioning her name but Tracey S, who is a wonderful and very supportive person on the boards, is very pg with twins following FET. I think, from memory it was her 5th tmt. If you see a post from her elsewhere, check out her signature/under her name and you'll see she's a very strong lady and an incredible source of support to the rest of us on here.
My local hospital has the best public fertility clinic in the country and are about to change their FET regime to only transfer one egg back as their success rate is so good!! My town is full, and I mean, full of twin prams!!! I'm not with that clinic as I'm too old for public clinics
but it means standards here are are very, very high. FET has a good track record and besides, why wouldn't you use them? Less expensive, less invasive tmt and meds and have a good chance of succeeding. We have a different grading system but was firmly told last week that only embroys that are good enough are frozen, they never freeze sub-standard grades. Go for it
we'll all be here for you.hugs,
Debra.
Hi Alicia
Welcome to the site. There are many women on here who can advocate FET's. There is a slightly better chance of fresh working over FET but only marginally better. There are lots of FET babies on this board so please don't worry too much.
I have had 3 fresh cycles and have never been lucky enough to get frosties from them even though I get a good egg harvest and fertilisation but non make it to frosty stage
I am so sorry your pregnancy has not progressed this time but look at it as a positive that you got PG this time and next time things will be better! Some of us girls on here have been through some horrific things but we carry on as we can't give up on our dreams of becoming a Mummy one day.
I had my tubes removed too and it annoys me that I will never have that amazing unexpected pregnancy. This is our only route and it's a long and bumpy one too.
Good luck and hope your FET is a success, I am sure it will be fine.
Love Dagny xkx
Welcome to the site. There are many women on here who can advocate FET's. There is a slightly better chance of fresh working over FET but only marginally better. There are lots of FET babies on this board so please don't worry too much.
I have had 3 fresh cycles and have never been lucky enough to get frosties from them even though I get a good egg harvest and fertilisation but non make it to frosty stage
I am so sorry your pregnancy has not progressed this time but look at it as a positive that you got PG this time and next time things will be better! Some of us girls on here have been through some horrific things but we carry on as we can't give up on our dreams of becoming a Mummy one day.
I had my tubes removed too and it annoys me that I will never have that amazing unexpected pregnancy. This is our only route and it's a long and bumpy one too.
Good luck and hope your FET is a success, I am sure it will be fine.
Love Dagny xkx
Me 38 DH 40
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
Hi Alicia
Sorry not replied sooner but my nesting instinct set in this weekend and have been cleaning - anyone else want any doing This is the result of being pg with twins after FET!!! Thanks DEb for the build up - currently trying to get my head out the door.
I can totally understand where you are coming from in all aspects. I have been ttc on and off for 12 years and waiting yonks before getting tests done to find both my tubes were and are of the well and truly buggered variety. First IVF (I was 36 at the time) proved to be ectopic - sod's law so they removed the embryo and then the right tube but could not get the other tube out as stuck to my bowel( I have ulcerative colitis too so not the best thing to do anything to my bowel
) they clipped this. IVF 2 was negative but got us 9 frozen. I then ummed and ahhed for a bit believe it for not with this many as whether to "bank" these and have another fresh as was worried about my age and also the FET rates. Gave myself a kick and went for FET but negative. It was so easy - no drugs for me or anything..... this meant I could go again the next month which I did and Bingo positive. WE lost our son at 20 weeks which was a shock to all - most of all us and nothing to do with FET. 3 months later I went again and currently pg - 34.3 wks with FET twin girls! Go for it Alicia - the results are great - the process is as close as you can get to the real thing and it works. I know a couple of FET mums here with twins and loads with singletons.
Good luck - we do grade in the uk by the way - all ours were frozen as day ones grade 1 or 2 - they do not know what is in what straw so just defrost 2 at a time.
Love
Tracey
xxx
Sorry not replied sooner but my nesting instinct set in this weekend and have been cleaning - anyone else want any doing
This is the result of being pg with twins after FET!!! Thanks DEb for the build up - currently trying to get my head out the door.I can totally understand where you are coming from in all aspects. I have been ttc on and off for 12 years and waiting yonks before getting tests done to find both my tubes were and are of the well and truly buggered variety. First IVF (I was 36 at the time) proved to be ectopic - sod's law so they removed the embryo and then the right tube but could not get the other tube out as stuck to my bowel( I have ulcerative colitis too so not the best thing to do anything to my bowel
) they clipped this. IVF 2 was negative but got us 9 frozen. I then ummed and ahhed for a bit believe it for not with this many as whether to "bank" these and have another fresh as was worried about my age and also the FET rates. Gave myself a kick and went for FET but negative. It was so easy - no drugs for me or anything..... this meant I could go again the next month which I did and Bingo positive. WE lost our son at 20 weeks which was a shock to all - most of all us and nothing to do with FET. 3 months later I went again and currently pg - 34.3 wks with FET twin girls! Go for it Alicia - the results are great - the process is as close as you can get to the real thing and it works. I know a couple of FET mums here with twins and loads with singletons.Good luck - we do grade in the uk by the way - all ours were frozen as day ones grade 1 or 2 - they do not know what is in what straw so just defrost 2 at a time.
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
Tracy S, DebraP and Dagny,
Thank you so much for your experience and encouragement. It is so helpful since we have to wait 3 weeks for a followup and we have so many questions about FET. We've definately decided to go that way unless the doctor recommends against.
Good luck with your cycle, Dagny, and congratulations to Tracy S. I'm sure you'll keep us up as things progress!
Alicia
Thank you so much for your experience and encouragement. It is so helpful since we have to wait 3 weeks for a followup and we have so many questions about FET. We've definately decided to go that way unless the doctor recommends against.
Good luck with your cycle, Dagny, and congratulations to Tracy S. I'm sure you'll keep us up as things progress!
Alicia