4 failed transfers

emily6791

Hi there, 

I have a 1 year old son, conceived through IVF with my second ever transfer. When he was 6 months I started transfers again. 4 since him, 2 were PGT tested normal and none have even implanted. I had a saline sonogram and my uterus looks normal, I had an ERA and my lining is receptive, my bacteria levels are normal and no sign of endometritis. 

My question is has anyone ever had multiple failures with no particulate reason and gone on to have success ? I have a 5th lined up for the end of January. That one is also PGT tested. 

relizabethp

I have no advice- i am sorry for your losses we just had a failed transfer with no explanation- we had genetically tested embryo of 4AB. 

andreamm31

Yes! I had 3 failed transfers and we added in steroids to calm my immune system down as we thought maybe that was why I wasn't holding onto the pregnancies.   I believe I was on it till I was 6 weeks.  This was my 4th transfer and we put 2 in this time and one of those embryos split into identical triplets.  Only 2 survived the split and now we are 25 weeks with twin girls.  I also want to say that we used Donor Eggs, so these were super healthy young 28 year old eggs.  We basically were told that we were on the side of a coin flip as there is a 60% chance of it working.  I know other girls I follow on instagram who have been through a really rough journey with multiple failed transfers and went on to have testing done to look for NK cells and ended up on infusions of immunoglobulin and other protocols to hold on to a pregnancy.  Im sorry you are having such a hard time!

mbradfo2

At this point (3+ failed transfers with normal embryos), I would suggest looking for a second opinion. My RE does steroids as part of his standard protocol because it can't really hurt things (provided you can live with the side effects) and it might help if there is an immune issue. He is of the opinion that you might as well throw in the kitchen sink unless there is some glaring reason not to. 

inthewoods23

@emily6791 100% check if there are immune issues (seriously check out my siggy for my crazy story).

After my 1 failed transfer we did ERA and ReceptivaDX. All normal/receptive. The recommendation was to go gluten and dairy free for 3 months prior to transferring another embryo. Covid then happened so we cancelled the transfer and tried on our own for a while. I went to a different RE for a 2nd opinion and found out from them I wasn't immune to measles so they suggested getting the 2 doses before doing another transfer. And guess what? I got pregnant in the cycle that I had the first dose (*tw* but MC at 8 weeks *end tw*) so I was suspicious from there that my body isn't doing the proper immune response to allow implanation. We have no way of knowing if the MC was related to the vaccine causing issues.

I eventually joined a FB group this year for reproductive immunology support. If you can afford to see an RI I totally recommend, but the wait list can be long to see one. They did so much testing (it can get very pricey), but we found out via biopsy that my lining does, in fact, not allow implantation due to my immune system as well as finding out I have antibodies that attack my own body and thereby any embryo trying to implant. This is what I believe to be the real cause for my MC last year.

The treatment based on the biopsy was an endo scratch and the biopsy itself sort of counts as one and I actually got pregnant the cycle immediately following the biopsy! They had to quickly put me on an immunosuppressant and a few other meds since I was supposed to be TTA but I'm current 10w4d with our rainbow baby and everything is going amazing.

So essentially I have autoimmune issues but they don't present themselves in any way so all this time I've never known but that it affects my reproductive system.

Immunology issues can be quite common with those dealing with secondary IF from what I have seen from other's posts in the FB group I mentioned. GL!

nikimcc

I had 2 failed IVF cycles. Then 3rd time worked. I feel that I was not mentally ready for first 2. then I researched about mind/body connection and how to prepare. Well, third time worked. I strongly feel like the preparation was what I needed. Keep the faith.

emily6791

@andreamm31 Thanks!! What did you add and at what dose??

andreamm31

@emily6791. I also went gluten and dairy free and took Chinese herbs specifically designed for me by a Dr of Chinese medicine.  I saw a functional med doctor who found high levels of inflammation in my body so that was why I did dairy and gluten free, I stopped alcohol months prior to that.   I did minimal sugar, no soda, and really had a clean diet for 3 months prior to transfer.   I hadn't drank alcohol in 6 months.  My fertility doctor put me on 10mg prednisone daily starting 3 weeks before my transfer.  I also did baby aspirin and she added lovenox in at transfer...
But I did not have a blood clotting problem and we stopped at 5 weeks when I had a bleed.  I also put 2 embryos in this time,  which I have never done before.  

emily6791

@andreamm31 thanks! My acupuncturist said she doesn’t want to give me herbs in case my fertility doctor wouldn’t support it. I am transferring 2 for the first time this time as well. I take aspirin and dexamethasone but a very small dose, it’s equal to about 4mg of prednisone. I am debating taking double for 3 days after transfer just in case I am having an immune response, since I don’t think my
dose is strong enough. My doctor however had doubts with immune issues as a whole and wouldn’t increase the dose! I give up caffeine and alcohol for a month before transfer! I eat very little dairy in general, maybe a yogurt once a week and very rarely cheese. I have been eating clean since Christmas, I was not good at the holiday. I’m hoping everything I’m doing makes a difference this time. 

andreamm31

@emily6791 sounds like you are doing all the things!! Baby dust to you!!

blacksnoww

I am so sorry to know about your losses. PGS NGS worked out for a few friends of mine. Alhough I am sorry to know it did not work out for you. Fingers crossed your doc will find the solution for you to get pregnant.