Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

I got a BFN after my last transfer and we have no frozen embryos left so we are considering another fresh cycle. My concern is that we didn't have a great "turnout" the first time. By day 3, we had 9 embryos but the quality was less than even what my dr expected for my age (32). I know the lab grading only means so much, but none of the 9 made it to pregnancy. My dr recommends switching the medicine but I am really hesitant because we don't know for sure if that will even make a difference. All of my blood work has come back normal. My main issue is tubal factor (recurrent ectopics from clomid IUI) and i was also diagnosed with minimal endo. DH is fine.

It may be a long shot, but did anyone get better quality embryos the second cycle by switching meds (either type or dose)?

I am so torn on what to do. IVF is my only real option, but to go through that again and have the same result would be draining, both financially and emotionally. Thanks for reading.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

My 1st fresh IVF cycle we used BCP, Menopur, Follistim....Got 13 embryos 4 ferilized and only 2 made it to a 3 day transfer..VERY poor quality (a 3 and a 4 cell embryo) ...Doctors were stunned and couldn't understand why...Ironically I did get pregnant but it was a chemical...

The following month we did another fresh cycle but replaced BCP for Lupron and used Bravelle....

What a difference! 18 retrieved and 13 fertlized..We did a 5 day transfer of a single hatching blast embie which resulted in my DD...

I am now 36 weeks along from an FET from that same batch...

We also did ISCI both times...

So to answer your question, for us switching med was night and day..

Good luck

!!!

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Hi,

I don't think it's a long shot at all. The right protocol can make all of the difference in your results. If there was a problem with egg quality, while it may have been you..at your age and tubal being your main issue...I would not be surprised if it was your protocol.

We changed up my dosage for my second IVF and it made all the difference. Whereas my first cycle...which I thought I did pretty good for my age, I had lots of 7-cell embies and lots of embies for my age, I did not have any embies that were greater than 7-cell. My Dr. lowered the dosage on my meds and this go-round I had five 8-cell embies on day three...4 of which were graded a 1...the highest grade in my clinc. I also had two 10-cell embies. I also had two frozen day 6 blasts. So far....things are looking good for this cycle...FX!! So ...yes...a change in protocol can make all the difference in quality.

What protocol were you on and what protocol does your Dr. want to put you on next?

Message edited 2/28/2011 4:51:23 PM.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

I would do it again. For me the 2 cycles all produced a different # of eggs so I htnk that protocol and change of meds will definetly change your outcome.
Give it a try. You will never know if you do it you may wind up with a BFP.
Its a science so it sometimes needs some tweaking.

Oh and good luck

Message edited 2/28/2011 8:06:04 PM.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Posted by Bops

My 1st fresh IVF cycle we used BCP, Menopur, Follistim....Got 13 embryos 4 ferilized and only 2 made it to a 3 day transfer..VERY poor quality (a 3 and a 4 cell embryo) ...Doctors were stunned and couldn't understand why...Ironically I did get pregnant but it was a chemical...

The following month we did another fresh cycle but replaced BCP for Lupron and used Bravelle....

What a difference! 18 retrieved and 13 fertlized..We did a 5 day transfer of a single hatching blast embie which resulted in my DD...

I am now 36 weeks along from an FET from that same batch...

We also did ISCI both times...

So to answer your question, for us switching med was night and day..

Good luck

!!!

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Many things can make a difference on the outcome. Even with "normal" women who have "normal" cycles, i think 30 or 40% of the eggs are not of good baby making quality. Sometime a new cycle brings better quality embies, no matter what the protocol. On my 3rd transfer we got lucky and my protocol was similiar. Sometimes, its the luck of the draw.....chances increase the more you do something. So my advice KEEP AT IT Always have hope, always. My DH must have said "as long as no one is dead, there is hope" a million times to me during our IF struggle. He is such the poet,


Best of luck to you !

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

I had no idea that changing the protocol would change the egg quality! WOW, had I known that...

My first IVF cycle resulted in a pregnancy of twins. One twin arrested @ 9wks. The other twin was diagonsed w/ Trisomy 18 @ 12.5 weeks. We terminated the pregnancy.

My 2nd cycle, which was a frozen cycle, I got pregnant again. Baby arrested again @ 9 weeks.

2nd Fresh IVF, I thought it was my egg quality due to age so I went to a nutrionist and did accupuncture.
We got 14 eggs, 11 fert. 7 went to 5 day blast- transfered 3. Ended up with none to freeze, but pregnant w/ twins again. Baby B did not make it, but had my in January.

We did change my protocol on the last cycle. Until this post, I had no clue that would help w/ the quality. Best of luck to you and getting your BFP soon!

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

My first IVF i was on 75ml of gonal f and 2 viles menopur. I can't remember since it was last year but I think I did accupuncture but didn't have too many sessions. They retrieved 5 eggs and only 2 fertilized, a 3 and 7 cell not very good grades. That cycle was a bfn. I continued accupuncture and for my 2nd ivf we increased my dose of gonal (he wanted to switch to follistim but my insurance wouldn't cover it) and changed me to repronex (ins also didn't cover but the office gave me donation meds). He also changed my shots from combined to split, gonal in the morning in the muscle and repro at night also in the muscle (ouch!). They retrieved 10 eggs, 5 fertilized, transferred two8 cell grade 1) and froze 3 (one 8 cell and two 6 cells). I got pregnant this cycle but ended at 10.5 weeks due to turners syndrome. My 3rd ivf which was last month he tried something different, instead of the bcp he had me on lupron and the same dose of gonal and repronex. I didn't do as much accupuncture as I should have. They retrieved 10, not 1 fertilized. My dr believes it has to do with the Lupron and I got a nasty cold. We did the egg test (oar?) and he said that came out normal which is why he thinks it was the lupron and sickness combined. I just started my 4th and hopefully last ivf until I want a 2nd child and we are following the same protocol that got me pregnant and I am combining that with accupuncture. I really think changing your protocol can give you completely different results. Best of luck to you!

Message edited 3/1/2011 6:36:30 PM.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

I did 3 IVF cycles and many, many FET's...
my first cycle resulted in 2 chemicals, the second cycle I got PG but ended up having complications and lost the baby at 22 weeks (nothing wrong with the baby, I had IC). The last cycle I got PG on the first FET with DS.

I had a tendency to produce a large quantity of poor quality eggs, so my meds were adjusted to reduce the quantity and increase the quality of the eggs - obviously it worked since I did get PG twice.

I say try it again... and I wish you luck!

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Like with everything else, it's all about finding the right cocktail!

All of my cycles were different, some meds we increased, some we eliminated and tried something else and each time I had better quality embryos.

Keep going! Best of luck.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

Message edited 3/2/2011 9:43:19 AM.

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

wow, thanks everyone for the positive responses, suggestions and well wishes. it really means a lot and has motivated me to keep going

i hope everyone finds their perfect cocktail!

Re: Question for those who have done multiple IVF cycles

I have been on 4 different protocols so I would definitley recommend trying and trying again if one doesn't work.

1st was Estrogen Priming: I had 2 follies but o'd too soon. Cycle cancelled.

2nd was Micro-Flare Lupron: I had 1 follicle and E2 level was non-existant. Cycle cancelled.

3rd was Estrogen Priming with Lupron: I had 3 follicles. Made it to retrieval but all the follicles were empty. No transfer.

4th was Antagonist with Human Growth Hormone: 1st cylce I made it to transfer with 1 egg = BFN. 2nd cycle made it to transfer with 3 eggs = BFP.

Keep trying. Like everything else, everyone is an individual and you may need to have your meds tweaked a bit one way or the other for a better result.

Best of luck!