Has anyone had success by changing protocols with IVF?

L.

My husband and I had our first retrieval 8/7 and while we retrieved 19 eggs and fertilized 12, only 2 embryos made it to the blastocyst stage to be genetically tested and frozen. We don't have PGS results yet on them. My doctor wants to do a second retrieval cycle in September and change up the meds this time.

Last time, I started on very low doses of Follistim (100) and Menopur (1 vial), eventually added Ganirelix, and triggered with HCG and Lupron.

This time, she is starting me on birth control for 14 days. On day 10 of the BCP, we will add Lupron. Then Lupron for 10 days or so, and then add Follistim and Menopur but start at the highest dose from the last cycle (300 and 2 vials). And then no Ganirelix. Trigger with HCG only.

My doctor said that this different combo and order of the meds may result in more/better quality eggs, which will hopefully help more embryos survive to day 6 next time.

I'm looking for some hope here. We were pretty crushed by the first result and while we still have hope for the 2 being tested, we aren't very optimistic as our doctor seems set on doing a second retrieval. We trust her because this clinic has a very good success rate and a very good reputation, and we personally know of several people who had success with IVF there, including my cousin who had 2 kids there after almost a decade of trying, the second of which was with my doctor as her primary. We just don't want to get our hopes up and fail again.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Were you more successful on the second try?