What was/is your reason for doing multiple egg retrevials?

Question

My husband and I have been through 2 rounds of

now along with plenty of medicated and

cycles.

I have made 15 eggs both cycles but, when it comes to them growing.... they just don’t.

1st cycle we had one “decent” egg which ended in a loss at 8 weeks.

2nd cycle was just a complete bust. None of my eggs grew to be anything special BUT, we transferred 3 and nothing came of it.

Long story short, we have been trying for over 7 years with 5 losses now.

Under a microscope, my eggs are trash. The quality isn’t good. I can produce good quantity but, not quality.

I have read “it starts with an egg”. I have been on a good vitamin protocol for years now. I’m only 26. We’ve been at this since shortly before I turned 19. My husband and I both have always been healthy eaters and active in the gym so, that’s not an issue either.

We’ve spent upward of $70,000 on trying to have our perfect baby. Our insurance doesn’t cover anything to do with fertility.

I’ve felt like a failure for sooo long now. BUT, I think my heart is finally opening up to the idea of an egg donor.

Should we go on to use an egg donor or should we try again?

Question 2: how many rounds did you have to go through to have true success and why did the previous round/rounds fail?

Question 3: were you on any special protocol?

Thank you ladies in advance for your input 💕💕

I REALLY just wanted to thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and words of encouragement. Though we were leaning toward a donor anyway (the nurse at my doctor’s office hand picked one specifically for me months ago), we have nearly officially decided that we will go that route. 💕

I also want to wish you ladies luck on your journeys! This isn’t an easy road for any of us.

Answer

I’m so sorry for your struggles. Based on what you’ve shared, I don’t know how positive your chances are for a successful third retrieval. Have you seen one more shot on Netflix? I would watch that. The couple went through the same
Issue. I personally would probably do an egg donor or take a different path to start a family at this stage, but there is NO right answer. It is what is right for you and your partner. Sending you strength and hugs!

Answer

We did a retrieval, got 3 good ones, transferred the “best” one and miscarried at 7 weeks. We transferred the other 2, one stuck. She is now 2 1/2. When she was around a year we did another retrieval and got nothing worth transferring. We decided to wait until next summer to do another round and I got pregnancy naturally in May. I’m now 30 weeks. We had unexplained infertility but I was 35 when I started the process, I’m now 40. It’s the craziest thing with seemingly no rhyme or reason. I think if you are open to a donor egg, you should try that. It seems like it would be your best bet. Good luck to you!

Answer

My doctor added Omnitrope to my protocol for after my first retrieval cycle (resulted in 1 abnormal 5 day embryo), and we were able to get several PGS normal embryos each time.  I’ve had two miscarriages due to other factors (autoimmune issues), but am currently almost 8 weeks pregnant from my 4th transfer.

Answer

I feel for you... I’m 22 and went through the same exact thing. Did 3 rounds of retrievals at 21 and none ended with even one blastocyst. We tried every protocol, vitamin, and got every test. Every retrieval I had close to 30 eggs with over 15 that fertilized. 4 doctors told me that they have no idea why my egg quality was so bad but it was something I had to accept for what it was. After exploring other options, we are 12 weeks along with our healthy little baby! I am so very sorry you’re going through this but I hope you can find some peace knowing there are other options. 💖

Answer

Try taking a break for couple of months or a year. Stop thinking about this. Just live your life. Maybe you are stressing out too much, and the stress is the first enemy to the body. You are only 26, still young. Go on vacations if you can. After a longer break you will probably feel what is better for you, try another cycle if your eggs or just go straight with a egg donor. There are couples that are ttc for 5-10 years or more with medications, IUIs, IVF, and nothing, and when they are almost ready to give up, the miracle comes naturally(I know it sounds impossible) but don’t give up. Good luck to you!

Answer

I would use an egg donor. Reasons would be the money and the fact that you know your eggs are not good quality, it doesn’t make sense to set yourself up for another failure. When you choose a donor, you will know certain features of the donor and can select someone to look the most like you and people will likely never even know unless you tell them. You also still get to carry the baby, which will be what starts your bond, not the genetics. Good luck! I’m adopted and I don’t feel any differently about my parents than others who aren’t adopted.

Answer

I'm sorry for your loss and that you're going through this. I'm in a very similar position. 31 years old and I have shit eggs. We get 10 eggs every time. My first retrieval we did a day 3 transfer of 3 not great embryos and the rest didn't make it to day 5. Total bust.  Second retrieval we changed up protocol and ended up with 5 blasts. We transferred 2, got pregnant with 1 (MMC@10weeks) and froze 3 untested embryos. We lost a genetically normal girl so I know my shitty eggs can make a normal baby.  After our loss we decided to do a third retrieval and PGS this time for added precaution and save for the future. We did the same protocol as our successful cycle and got 0 blasts. It was a huge blow and was so disappointing. We are paying out of pocket too. We decided to just move forward with our untested blasts and I'm prepping to transfer 2 on Dec 10th. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, I'm already thinking of what to do next. Because we're so young I'm not ready to give up on my eggs yet. We've discussed trying HGH and also talked about mini ivf to help with the quality. My doctor said my eggs might do better with less meds. If all that doesn't work I'd get a second opinion. I'm willing to stay with my doc for now since she keeps offering changes that can help. Only once we've exhausted all options with my own eggs will I consider a donor. We've gotten pregnant before so I believe we will again. Of course it's a personal decision and if you're there already and don't want to keep gambling, that's ok. But if you have it in you to keep trying with your own, you're not crazy for doing so. There are things you can try changing protocol-wise which could yield better results. If you ever want to chat with someone in your shoes, feel free to reach out. I know how difficult this is.

Answer

Be open to the egg donor my husband wasn’t able to have kids and we used a donor and just saw my baby girl yesterday and we love her so much already if it was the other way around I’d be so happy to have a egg donor, especially if you’ve been at it for years and your getting older. best wishes.

Answer

You are an amazing trooper!  I’m sorry for all of your loss.  My hubby and I decided that Ivf didn’t work, we would adopt.  There are still options to become a mommy-adoption, embryo adoption, or egg donor.  Don’t lose hope. You already sound like you’ll make an amazing mommy.

What was/is your reason for doing multiple egg retrevials?

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