RE suggests IUI/Injects after failed IVF???

[kd50277]

I posted this on the expert board, but also wanted to see if anyone else has gotten similar advice after a failed IVF. Here's my story...

I just learned last week that my first (and maybe only) IVF failed. It was such a smooth cycle that my RE and I are shocked that it did not work.

My husband and I are 32 and have been pregnant twice before. We got pg naturally with the first, but had an early loss (around 10 weeks). We tried four rounds of clomid with no luck and then got pregnant with twin girls, after our first cycle of gonal-f/B2B IUI. Unfortunately we lost them at 18 weeks due to an infection. It has been a tough road, so to now be faced with a failed IVF, we are beginning to lose hope (and money).

The IVF cycle resulted in retrieval of 21 eggs, in which 17 fertilized naturally. By day three, I was told that they all looked "too pretty" so they wanted to wait until day 5 so that they could pick the highest quality blasts. On day 5, I had 15 still going strong and we decided to put back two above average blasts. I started to worry when I got a call the next day and learned that none of the remaining 13 met their freeze requirements, BUT still tried to remain positive.

Sooo, I am just not sure where to go from here. My doctor says that it's possible that the two blasts they picked may have had some chromosomal abnormalities, otherwise he's just not sure what could have gone wrong. I just hate not having an answer... I was surprised though when he said that b/c we now know that fertilization is not a problem and blast quality is not an issue AND because I have been pregnant before that we could actually take a step back and try just doing injects/IUI again. Unfortunately, IVF has wiped us out financially so even this won't be an option for awhile.

So, I guess all my rambling boils down to this question... does it really make sense to try a less aggressive protocol after a failed IVF cycle? This just seems so weird to me...

Thanks in advance for any advice/insight you may have!

[Annette]

Hi

First of all I wanted to say my condolences to you for your losses.

I actually just recently posted in the expert forum on this same sort of subject. Except I was told we could try on our own or do IUI's again if IVF is not financially an option right now. I have PCOS, 1 blocked tube, possible endometriosis, and my husband has low count. I am 31 and he is 35. I have never been pregnant. I was quite surprised to hear that we could try on our own after my ob/gyn said there is a 1% chance of success that way, but of course RE's are more specialized than ob/gyn's. Anyway, I have heard from other people that IUI was suggested to them after failed IVF.

Just this morning I was thinking to myself, why the heck would we be able to try on our own or do IUI after a failed IVF?? And this is my thought (I could totally be wrong but it makes sense to me for the moment) - we proved that we do not have fertilization problems because all 10 of our matured eggs fertilized during the IVF cycle. My RE said that every cycle provides valuable information that can be used for future attempts (whatever they might be). In your case, you have gotten pregnant naturally once, and then again with an IUI, so in my non-expert opinion I don't see why IUI couldn't work again for you since you don't have any diagnosed barrier problems. Some people have to go through a few rounds of IUI with injectibles before one sticks because every month there is only about a 25% chance of success. And even just tweaking the meds can make all the difference.

Wishing good luck to you!

[Carlaliz]

I would agree with Annette, for whatever that's worth. If you've been able to get pregnant before both on your own and with IUI's, I'd focus on that route! I wish that I could say that we'd had any kind of success with anything but IVF. Unfortunately, I can't. In my mind, by trying on your own and/or with IUIs you have a lot to gain, and if you work hard to not let the stress get to you, not much to loose. I say go for it!

[aandp]

I'm one of the people who is/was doing IUI's after IVF (child mentioned)

Hi -

I'm one of the people who is going back to IUI's after IVF. We have male factor. The original SA said that there were 10 million sperm. We did an IVF that failed, but had 7 embryos to freeze. On our first FET, I got pregnant with our daughter. Our next FET failed, but they felt the quality of the 3 remaining embryos wasn't that great.

However, the most recent one that we had showed 20 million sperm, so it was recommended that we do IUI's at this point. We've been through 2 with no success and are now taking a break. I think IVF is easier as in you can know how the embryos are doing, etc. However, we did ICSI which was soo expensive. We're trying 2 more IUI's before discussing ICSI IVF again.

It can't hurt to try the "more natural" ways, can it? Good luck though! As they say, "the wa-aa-ait is the hardest part".

Patti

[kpsanelo]

I posted this on the expert board, but also wanted to see if anyone else has gotten similar advice after a failed IVF. Here's my story...

I just learned last week that my first (and maybe only) IVF failed India. It was such a smooth cycle that my RE and I are shocked that it did not work.

My husband and I are 32 and have been pregnant twice before. We got pg naturally with the first, but had an early loss (around 10 weeks). We tried four rounds of clomid with no luck and then got pregnant with twin girls, after our first cycle of gonal-f/B2B IUI. Unfortunately we lost them at 18 weeks due to an infection. It has been a tough road, so to now be faced with a failed IVF, we are beginning to lose hope (and money).

The IVF cycle resulted in retrieval of 21 eggs, in which 17 fertilized naturally. By day three, I was told that they all looked "too pretty" so they wanted to wait until day 5 so that they could pick the highest quality blasts. On day 5, I had 15 still going strong and we decided to put back two above average blasts. I started to worry when I got a call the next day and learned that none of the remaining 13 met their freeze requirements, BUT still tried to remain positive.

Sooo, I am just not sure where to go from here. My doctor says that it's possible that the two blasts they picked may have had some chromosomal abnormalities, otherwise he's just not sure what could have gone wrong. I just hate not having an answer... I was surprised though when he said that b/c we now know that fertilization is not a problem and blast quality is not an issue AND because I have been pregnant before that we could actually take a step back and try just doing injects/IUI again. Unfortunately, IVF has wiped us out financially so even this won't be an option for awhile.

So, I guess all my rambling boils down to this question... does it really make sense to try a less aggressive protocol after a failed IVF cycle? This just seems so weird to me...

Thanks in advance for any advice/insight you may have!

Its the matter of time , some times your luck is not with you. People get the pregnant even with low quality ones. Also IVF is not 100% success whether you choose the top or number 1 clinic in the town. but still I advised before choosing any fertility centre check the reputation and the standard of that clinic.

[saraleemon]

Im so sorry for your loss...You have to be patient. If you really wanted to have babies, you have to fight for it no matter what!~I have been a patient of Dr Ann Tan for 3 years for my 2 babies. if it wasn't for this doctor... i wouldn't have not have any kids right now. you just have to fight no matter what! Try visiting this clinic www.anntan.com.sg