I felt it was important to post my experience since there are a lot of intros from people considering this route as well as a lot of happy ladies that were successful. I wanted to share my experience which has not been good or happy. My OE history is in my siggy so I won't restate that. DH finally agreed to DE in July 2012. Due to financial constraints, I chose a clinic that was low cost in the DE realm but didn't have the best stats. I would get 5-7 mature eggs under the arrangment. As someone who never produced more than 3 eggs myself, this deal seemed like it was sufficient. I wasn't really interested in frosties or a sibling. Due to my age and DH's age, we would be happy with one child.
I was blindsided when I got to my first DE ET. I had crappy embryos. We transferred 3 since they were so bad. I had concerns about the stimming process and the fact that my clinic doesn't do Sunday ERs or ETs. I wondered if that affected the embryos. I had DH's sperm tested for DNA frag after the fact since it was so puzzling. The frag test was fine.
I picked another donor in November who had just yielded a positive for her receipient. She agreed to do a 2nd cycle. She was in the midst of stims last week when I got a call that she backed out! My insurance expires the end of March 2013 so I was desparate to cycle and couldn't start over due to time. The clinic offered us a few cycling donors and I like one of them who was retrieved last Friday. DH and I jumped in the car on a moment's notice to do a 10 hr round trip to the clinic. I found out after the fact that I was a 3rd recipient. It was hidden from me as I would not have accepted the 3rd spot. I only got 5 eggs. Today was day 3 and the embryos are not doing well. Of the 5, the best is a "fair" 5 and 7 cell. We will transfer on Wednesday but I have little hope at this point. I just cannot get a good quality embryo and I don't know why. My current donor is proven. This was our final attempt at DE so we will be CFNBC if this fails.
Anyway, this is my story. Not everyone gets a happy ending and REs make you think that DE is the golden ticket. National DE stats is a 55% live birth rate. 45% of us are failing. How many times you can afford to cycle may be the answer. For others, you may have unknown, undiagnosed immune issues that cannot be fixed without huge sums of money and a repro immunoligist having you try all sorts of expensive treatements. There are many unknowns and DE is not a guarantee.
Most people are not as unlucky as me in this process but others will fail. I just wanted to let people know it isn't all rainbows and puppy dogs.
TTC #1 since 8/1/10; Me:41 and BRCA1+, DH:46
DOR (FSH 24.3)/ terrible egg quality ; homozygous MTHFR c677t
5 IUI's: 2/11 to 6/11 and 1/12= BFN
OE IVF#1-4 8/11-6/12= all BFN
DE IVF#1 11/12 bad embryos= BFN
DE IVF #2 2/13 BFP/Beta hell: m/c 5w6d
CFNBC 7 months, not doing well; decided on guarantee program at RBA w/frozen DE
DE IVF #3 1/14 ET 4BB; BFP;M/C 5w1d, incomplete m/c; MVA extraction in ER 7w1d
DE FET#1 ET 3/1714; BFP, beta 1 3/27= 197, beta 2 3/31= 1586, beta 3 4/7= 13879!!
First u/s= Twins with HBs at 6w2d! We are Team Pink x 2!!
K & K born 11/21/14 at 38wks 4 days
SAIF/PAIF Welcome
Re: DE has not been a good experience for me
Thank you for posting this McIrish.
I can?t believe that your clinic was not upfront with you about the number of recipients... Completely unconscionable.
I am still praying that this works out for you. Huge hugs.
***SIGNATURE WARNING***
TTC #1
Me 42, DH 47
Dx = AMA/DOR, MFI
IVF/ICSI #1 = BFN
IVF/ICSI #2 = BFP; early loss
IVF/ICSI #3 (DE) = BFP; early loss
FET = BFN
IVF/ICSI #4 (DE w/ CCS) = BFP
Beta #1 @ 10dp6dt = 265; Beta #2 @ 14dp6dt = 1251.
1st U/S @ 6w2d showed one perfect little heartbeat!
2nd U/S @ 7w2d. HB 132 & everything measuring on track.
Our beautiful little girl arrived January 2015!
I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hope your embies turn into rockstars and your transfer on Wednesday is a smooth process.
I can't speak for anyone else but I definitely know this process isn't all rainbows and puppies. I think most that reach this destination have had more than their fair share of bumps in the road. For me, DE is giving me hope I never had and while I know there is a chance it may not work, I'm holding onto hope until I see that day.
I wish you and your husband the best and that this cycle is it for you. Keep us posted.
DD conceived with no issues, but born at 33 weeks due to PPROM
loss #1-06/2010 loss #2-2/2011 loss #3-5/2011
07/2011 dx with a Balanced Translocation
9/2011-decided on domestic infant adoption 10/2011-signed with an agency and getting ready for homestudy
12-2012-after being with our agency over a year and only shown to EM once we decided to talk with RE about DEIVF. Thru a crazy sequence of events we decided to go for it and we picked a donor MUCH quicker than anticipated
1/13/2013-started lupron with anticipated transfer in mid Feb.
ER 2/15 resulted in 15 eggs/10M/6F with ICSI.
2/18 transferred 1-8cell and 1-9cell embie. Snuggle in little embies.
positive on HPT 6dp3dt. Could this really be IT?!?! Beta 14dp3dt=2440. U/S scheduled for 3/20.
McIrish-wishing that you didn't have to go through all that you have been. I would have been angry beyond words if I were the third recipient without being told. This might be a small claims issue that you can pursue to get some of your money back? I'm sorry that your embries are "fair" and aren't even 8 cells on day 3.....that's just wrong that they spun you off as a third recipient and it seems as if maybe you got the not so great leftovers. Your IF journey has just been unfair and sometimes it seems that the universe is against everything that you try. I really am hoping that even though your experience has sucked royally, that you will catch a break in the end and one of your embries is still just getting the hang of growing and will turn out to be a rockstar. I know that you have made many, many friends on TB and even if you are having trouble believing that it can happen.....maybe others can hold the candle of hope that it will be your turn for your luck to turn. You are in my thoughts and prayers. We are sharing a pic on TTC after 35 of 5 candles for McIrish's 5 embries......feel free to share the pic in support of McIrish.
McIrish... This post just makes me hurt so bad for you. I agree with happywife, the rest of us will hold the candle of hope that this turns around for you and your DH. (((Hugs)))
i will also second your frustration with the clinic... There is a lot of miscommunication that should not be happening which is not ok.at.all. I have seen it myself recently.
April 2013 DE IVF= BFN
September 2013 DE IVF (Fingers Crossed) = BFFFN! again...
October 2013 FET of our last 2 = Beta Hellzz for 6-7 Weeks. M/C
ME:46 MH:44 DE IVF 2014
Met with RE 4/11. 2 IUI's BFN. DE best option. Switched clinics to do "shared" program. Had to retake all tests and a mamm that put me behind and then on a DE waiting list for 12 months. Picked a donor!! (10/13/13) Got matched. Estimated transfer in December. After 2.5 years of patiently waiting I will finally cycle....can hardly believe it. DE cycle got cancelled. One of her tests came back positive. Waiting for another donor. Donor picked!! (1/18/14)
DE IVF #1 (4/26) BFN DE FET #1 (6/4) BFP! Beta 1=339 Beta 2=852 Beta 3=9957 EDD 2/22/15!!
3 failed IVF with OE and 2 failed frozen DE cycles
Last fresh hail mary DE cycle starting Feb 2013
PAIF/SAIF always welcome
IVF#1 Oct 2009 (CCRM) - BFN
IVF#2 March 2010 - Poor response/cancelled
DE IVF#1 Aug 2010 - BFN
DE IVF#2 Dec 2010 - Transferred 1, 2 frozen - BFP!
TTC#2 FET Jan 2013 - Transferred 1 - BFP!
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
I am so very sorry for your heartbreaking journey. DE is definitely not a guarantee, but you were dealt some very sh!tty situations. I pray your 3 embies turn your luck around and give you a big, fat happy ending. ((hugs))
Best of luck to you on Wednesday!! (D'you hear that universe?!) ::shakes fist::
TTC since 10/2010
IUIs # 1-5 = BFFN
IVF # 1(July 2012) = BFN
IVF # 2 (November 2012) = BFP (MIssed MC D&C @ 8w3d on 1/10/13)
** hugs **
I'm so sorry that you have been through he** and back on your journey to have a baby.
How much suffering and heartache is one person suppose to go through? Its not fair to that your hopes and dreams keep getting crushed.
Praying that at least 1 embie is a rockstar on Wed and will produce positive results.
** hugs **
McIrish, I hope things turn around for you and that 7 cell is is star.
I'm grounded in reality and I know the stats, but this is my only chance so I am have to stay hopeful. For you and me both.
Keeping fingers crossed.
____________________________
Breast Cancer diagnosis 12/01/2010 - Survivor and Cancer free as of 03/22/2011
BFP#1 04/12/2011 - fetal demise - MC 05/28/2011
BFP#2 10/14/2011 - fetal demise - MC 12/13/2011
BFP#3 05/30/2012 - fetal demise - MC 07/23/2012
IVF#1 02/14/2013 - 2 Beautiful Blasts transferred
BFP#4 02/25/2013 - BFP - MC and ectopic 03/06/2013
IFV#2 07/02/2013 -BFP#5 - 07/07/2013
1st Beta 07/11/2013 - 483 (9dp5dt) - 2nd Beta 07/13/2013 1006 (11dp5dt)
1st U/S 07/31/2013 - TWINS! "The Minions"
IVF#3 BFP#6 09/01/2015 6dp5dt
1st Beta 09/05/2015 - 105 - 2nd Beta 09/08/2015 335
1st U/S 09/22/2015 - .......
McIrish, I am so sorry this is happening again. I can't believe the results you've gotten on 2 different donors at your clinic? Have you talked to them about that? It seems just crazy.
I am hoping your 7 cell continues to grow healthy and strong and results in your take-home baby. ((hugs))
SAIF Always Welcome
TTC #1 since Fall 2008
High FSH, Sertoli Cell Only Syndrome
Unsuccessful with my OE, moving to DE + DS
DE + DS IVF #1: Dec 2012 - BFP, nothing at first u/s
DE + DS IVF #3: 7/12/13 - BFP! Finally! No heartbeat at 7w1d.
************ Signature/Ticker Warning ************

Me (32) DH (36) - Finding our way to baby #1
Me: POF/DOR - AMH <0.16, heterozygous c677t MTHFR, insulin resistant and gluten intolerant
DH: Severe MFI
12/2/11 - IUI #1- BFN
8/1/12 - IVF #1 - Zero response from max stims (600iu intramuscularly)
My ovaries are just for decoration
12/6/12 - Adopted five embryos that had been frozen for over ten years!
2/11/13 - DEmbryo FET #1 Thawed four, sadly two didn't survive. Transferred two beautiful blasts.
2/16/13 - First BFP of my life @ 6dp5dt! EDD 10/30/13
3/27/13 - After beta and u/s hell, no heartbeat ever detected. D&C at 9w1d.
6/5/13 - Adopted four new embryos that had been frozen for seven years!
9/12/13 - DEmbryo FET #2. Thawed and transferred two beautiful blasts
9/17/13 - BFP @ 5dp6dt! EDD 05/31/14
9/29/13 - m/c @ 5w1d.
11/19/13 - DEmbryo FET #3. Thawed and transferred one blast from each batch. Wow!
11/23/13 - BFP @ 4dp6dt! EDD 8/7/13
Beta #1 @ 13dp6dt - 522 Beta #2 @ 16dp6dt - 1373
6w5d ultrasound showed one perfect baby with a beautiful heartbeat of 134bpm!
Snowflake baby is a girl!
Our beautiful Snowflake girl arrived on July 22, 2014!
My embryo adoption blog: Wishing on a Snowflake
I'm sure they will blame DH even though his tests are all normal. Some mysterious yet- undiagnosed, undiscovered issue...
TTC #1 since 8/1/10; Me:41 and BRCA1+, DH:46
DOR (FSH 24.3)/ terrible egg quality ; homozygous MTHFR c677t
5 IUI's: 2/11 to 6/11 and 1/12= BFN
OE IVF#1-4 8/11-6/12= all BFN
DE IVF#1 11/12 bad embryos= BFN
DE IVF #2 2/13 BFP/Beta hell: m/c 5w6d
CFNBC 7 months, not doing well; decided on guarantee program at RBA w/frozen DE
DE IVF #3 1/14 ET 4BB; BFP;M/C 5w1d, incomplete m/c; MVA extraction in ER 7w1d
DE FET#1 ET 3/1714; BFP, beta 1 3/27= 197, beta 2 3/31= 1586, beta 3 4/7= 13879!!
First u/s= Twins with HBs at 6w2d! We are Team Pink x 2!!
K & K born 11/21/14 at 38wks 4 days
SAIF/PAIF Welcome
http://waitingforraintostop.wordpress.com
DOR and AMA
2/12-5/12: 4 IUI cycles = all BFN;
7/12: DE IVF # 1 (with ICSI)- 20R, 16M, 14F, 5DT of 2 blasts; 6 frosties = BFN;
Lupus anticoagulant initially high, then found to be normal on hematology consult;
Follow up testing in September all clear;
Started synthroid for "high normal" TSH;
FET # 1- late October 2012- BFP on FRER; beta # 1- 21(low), beta # 2- 48 (still low), beta # 3- 132, beta # 4- 1,293; beta # 5- 5,606; last beta- over 100,000. First u/s 11/21- heard heartbeat
12/12- Officially an OB patient!
Level 2 ultrasound at 20 weeks shows vasa previa and VCI
Referral to MFM and mandatory c section for delivery
Beautiful baby girl born at 34 weeks
Finally home after 15 day NICU stay!
Trying for sibling: FET # 2- May 2014; beta 5/31, BFN
FET #3, early July 2014; beta 7/14, BFN
DE IVF # 2- August 2014; 14R, 13M, 11F, 5dt of 2 blasts (3 AA), 5 frosties = BFN
FET #4- December 2014, yet another BFN
Dr. KK work up shows borderline uterine blood flow, elevated NK cells, and MTHFR mutation (homozygous for c677t)
Added baby aspirin, prednisone, supplements, Metanx, and intralipids
Switched to large clinic for final attempt; had endometrial receptivity testing in January; FET March 2015 = yet another BFN
Likely OAD- NBC