Epic IVF Fail - Any Input Appreciated

scooteriste

My IVF #2 was an epic failure and I'd like some opinions from my fellow IF friends... Have you ever heard of something like this happening?

I am barely 33 years old. Out of 11 oocytes retrieved for IVF #2, zero "fertilized properly". We were supposed to have had ICSI performed but I feel the lab may have messed up big time.

In the past we have had 100% fert rate with ICSI. For IVF #1 9R, 7M, 7F. On day 5 they were still morulas so they were slow growing but for some reason they recommended transferring 2 (against my better judgement) and that cycle was a BFN.

This seems very odd and I can't shake the feeling that something went seriously wrong in the lab. I was told that the eggs looked perfect and formed polar bodies but beyond that, nothing.

Anyone have or hear of a similar experience? Zero eggs fertilized out of 11, despite ICSI and after having 100% fert rate in the past?

Tea+

No advice but wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear. I didn't get any retrieved on my first one so I have no input. Someone else may be able tho. Good luck.

Carol77B

That's just devastating, I'm so sorry. It does sound unbelievable that you would have 100% failure to fertilize, especially with your past experience. I guess you just need to get your WTF as soon as possible and press for answers. I don't know how that will go because if someone at the lab did screw up, how likely would your clinic be to own up, especially if you didn't get any initial explanation. Again, I'm so sorry.

scooteriste

@Tea+‌ hugs to you, I'm very sorry. I know the feeling well at this point.

@Carol77B‌ I had a mini wtf on the phone with the RE and she suggested trying the same thing that didn't work the first time again. It's like they have no individualized approach and just pass out the same generic protocols over and over. I'm not even sure if I should keep wasting my time with these people. I am seriously losing faith in them.

cls78

I am so sorry. I would get my records and look for a second opinion for next time.

kz's_girlygirl

Sig warning*************



I am so sorry you got surprised with that!  I would be on the phone with the Dr. who did your ER, and/or an embryologist. 

I would ask a few things-  Of the retrieved, how many were mature?  Of the mature, what exactly happened-they fertilized, but not normally- they should be able to tell you what they saw. 

In my first IVF we had 7 retrieved, 4 mature and only 1 fertilize normally.  The other 3 consisted of eggs that fertilized but then either disintegrated or did not cleave.  I have a chromosome issue that we found during karyotyping and that explained ours not fertilizing normally. 

If you haven't had any further testing done, I might consider that, but I would also probably shop around for another RE if you are questioning their lab/practice.  IVF is too much $$ to spend if you don't feel confident with your Dr/embryology team. 

I hope you get some answers soon and get a plan in place. 

scooteriste

IFinTN said:

This does sound suspicious, what does their SART data show for 2013 with your diagnosis in the under 35 age group? Is it possible something changed in the lab, a new person maybe? Growing embryos is hard, even one minute change in conditions can affect success rates. I would really be hesitant to cycle with them again, is there another clinic in your area you can go to?

The new SART data is disappointing, it's worse than it was last year. 36% live births under 35. I have other options in my area thankfully.

jbasore1123

I'm so sorry, I can imagine how devastating this is.
This is similar to my experience. Our first round we had 100% fertilization and the second round it dropped to 50%. I also suspected something with the lab since we also did ISCI both times, but I know the lab will never admit to error. They couldn't give me any answers other than poor egg quality, possibly natural or because I had OHSS.

I hope you get some answers at your WTF appointment (((hugs)))

scooteriste

@IFinTN‌ - they did roughly 1200 IVF cycles in 2012. Last year when I checked initially they were over 40% so I said well, ok... But the fact that it's dropping I think speaks to their generic protocols to avoid spending too much one on one time with patients and potentially an issue with the lab.

@kz's_girlygirl‌ and @jbasore1123‌ , thanks for sharing your experiences, it's so very helpful and DH and I have been pouring over everyone's replies. We are going to go forward with chromosome testing and see if anything is found. In the meantime we are going to schedule consult with a RE that has much better SART rates and see if we get a better feel for them.

Tea+

Thanks & hugs back at ya @scooteriste‌ . [: and I knew these lovely ladies would be able to help. [:

hmz819

I'd start looking for a new RE. I'm so sorry this happened and no one at your clinic has an explanation.

poohniki

I'm so sorry. I know how devastating this can be. For my last medicated IVF my RE gave me a very high dose since I had a low AMH. I had 9 eggs, most that I ever had, but none fertilized. Previously I had at least something to transfer, even when I only had 4 mature eggs in the past.

After looking at my eggs, it was seen that one of the organelles disintegrated- the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This is very rare, but happens more often with women who are on a very high dose of stims. I am not sure if this is your case. From some of the research I've done on it, it has to do with high estrogen levels- but if you are overweight, your free estrogen may be much lower than total estrogen. Ultimately, my RE said most clinic don't look for these aggregates in the egg, so it is unsure if I've err had them in the past. You could ask if they did look at that organelle- or ask for a picture of the eggs so another doctor can look at them? 

Wishing you lots of luck if you plan to find a new RE.

babydreams13

That is terrible.  Every cycle is different but that is VERY different and doesn't make sense. I would ask for your records and get 2nd opinions.  Sounds like its time to move on.  I had 2 failed IVFs with my 1st RE and then it was time to move on. 

missmarypoppins

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I agree with PPs this is just so out of the norm to have 0 fertilize when using icsi.

vibeee

@scooteriste - Sorry about the terrible outcome.  It must feel awful.  I would be devastated.

I remember reading somewhere that it's not unusual to have a slew of bad eggs.  I can quote where I read it but I may just be a fluke.

Hang in there.  Get some answers and hopefully you'll be able to put pieces together and figure out what really happened.  I wouldn't be blaming the lab yet.  It's the information you need so try to get it before they become defensive and shut you down.

Good luck with everything...

scooteriste

@poohniki‌ - that's very interesting and something I will certainly write down to ask about. I was on a very high dose of stims. (450iu Gonal F) Like you, I have normal FSH but low AMH (0.8) so the RE decided to take an "aggressive" approach to dosages. My last drawn E2 prior to trigger was 1800 so maybe that combined with free estrogen is what scrambled my eggs.

@vibeee‌ you make a good point as well... I should go to my WTF appt and try to gather as much information as I can in a calm and balanced way. As upset as I am, life goes on, and I want to have all the info together when we go to a new RE. I'll leave the judgement up to that new RE rather than making assumptions.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragement. I don't ask for support on the forums much but this has been a tough couple of days and I needed you ladies big time. I'm sorry we all have to be here but it's nice to be in your company.

Mozzarella13

@scooteriste‌ I wanted to add that apparently eggs, like sperm, can have a bad batch if you were sick or something in the last 3 months. Good luck with your wtf appt and your second opinion!((hugs))

ikrystal

I'm so sorry.  I can't imagine how hard it must be to hear that none of them fertilized.  I did recently have someone tell me that she had 10 eggs and none fertilized, although this has never happened to her in the past.  Every cycle is different.  That being said, yes this does sound  odd. I hope you can get some answers.  Good luck.

pblge

I'm a little late to the game, but just wanted to say how sorry I am that you experienced this. I hope it was just a fluke, and that the next round is perfect. ((Hugs))

scooteriste

Thanks a lot @pblge‌ - my new fancypants RE appointment is at the end of May! I hope yours went well today, you'll have to update us.

pblge

I will! Especially because I'm not sure I'm sold. I'm still driving back (OH behind the wheel, haha) but there's a long post a-comin'!