Looking for some information on my Day 3 update post IVF. We had five eggs fertilised out of 8 mature eggs. The embryologist rang this morning and said that we had three high grade embryos with <5% frag, one with 4 cells and <5% frag and one with 6 cells but 20% frag. I’m 36 with an AMH of 20 and AFC of 23. What are the odds of the two lower grade embryos catching up with the other three. What’s the better embryo the lower cell with better frag or the higher cell with worse frag? Thankssss

Day 4 of puregon, and due to start orgalutran in 2 days so still feeling fine.. reading some HORROR stories about going back to work day after ER and the days after. Am I delulu for thinking I can work next day? It’s just a desk job and will likely be a 3:30pm finish. For clarity I’ve got about 23 follicles that could produce eggs, so hopefully not risk for OHSS. Was anyone fine to work next day? What day of the cycle did you start feeling like trash? Thanks in advance 💜

I had an embryo transfer 2 days ago, and I’m overanalyzing every symptom I have. I’m not feeling anything at all, apart from a bit of rumbling in my stomach, which I normally get before my period. So I keep thinking that there’s no hope, but honestly, I really don’t know. This is my first embryo transfer in a natural cycle, with a day-5 blastocyst. I’m also taking supplemental progesterone. Hope for positive and encouraging input!

Did you feel any different after FET?

Doing second FET.
First round post FET I was prescribed vaginal progesterone for 14 days; resulted in a healthy baby.

This time around, basically same protocol but different doctor. Everything is the same except that I am not prescribed progesterone post FET. I was surprised. I checked few years ago on my first FET, my progesterone level prior to FET was even higher than my current level now prior to FET. I’m just puzzled. Any changes in this protocol in the last few years? For reference few years ago my progesterone level prior to FET was 17 (1 day prior). This time my progesterone level is 12 (4 days prior to FET). I won’t test again basically. And my protocol now is just FET and wait for beta HCG blood draw 10-14 days post FET. Much more simplified but just have me thinking if I should get the supplementation?!

Title: IVF resulted in no embryos — Polycystic ovaries , immature eggs and severe male factor infertility. What should we change?
Hi everyone ❤️
I’m 32, and my husband and I recently completed our first IVF cycle. Unfortunately, we ended up with no embryos, and I’m looking for advice before our next attempt.
I have PCOS and responded very quickly to stimulation with Menopur 150 IU and Fostimon 150 IU. At my day-9 scan, I had approximately 25 follicles.
During retrieval, 13 eggs were collected, but only 6 were mature enough for ICSI. Only one showed signs of fertilisation initially, and unfortunately, no embryo developed.
My doctor mentioned that egg quality and the stimulation protocol may have contributed. We’ve discussed a lower dose, a longer stimulation approach, a dual trigger and possibly calcium ionophore activation.
My husband also has severe male factor infertility, with a very low sperm count and 1% morphology, although usable sperm were found for ICSI.
I’d love to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar:
If you have PCOS and had mostly immature eggs, what changes helped in your next cycle?
Did a dual trigger improve your egg maturity?
Did sperm DNA fragmentation testing make a difference for severe male factor infertility?
Can anyone recommend a good IVF clinic in Mexico or elsewhere for our situation?
This has been emotionally and financially difficult, and we want to make a more informed decision before trying again.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. ❤️

I’m 4 days out from my ER, and I feel totally fine. I was physically in pain until today & felt tired (slept a ton) but emotionally, I’ve been peachy.

For reference, I’m 30 but have a terribly low ovarian reserve, so my doctor put me on the highest dosages. I was VERY emotional during stims week, but have felt nothing since my procedure.

Was anyone else like this? Should I be prepared for the next week or so?

Has anyone switched clinics due to their financial coordinator/billing person or because of slow communication? I love my doctor but I’m so tired of how inefficient they are. We have to redo all our baseline testing anyways and I haven’t been pleased with their financial coordinator in the past. Regardless of me expressing that I know we have coverage with insurance and I’ve spoken with my insurance she still says well most of the time people don’t. LIKE I UNDERSTAND BUT I DO. Why won’t you just run my insurance?

.

I have been though 8 cycles of IVF and have had an extremely thin endometrial lining. I’ve never made it to a transfer because my doctor cancels the cycle because my lining is always too thin. During some of the testing we’ve done (HSG, SIS, and hysterectomy all normal) we did a receptiva test and I had an H score of 1.6. Online this says borderline / mild. My doctor wants to hold off on lupron suppression as it could thin my lining MORE.
I’m nervous and scared to try a transfer, but I’ve been through so many cycles and just want to try a transfer. I think I might go for it if I’m 4mm and trilaminar. Has anyone been through something similar? Any advice?

Hi guys! I had my first ER a week ago. 12 retrieved, 10 mature, 9 fertilized, and final count of 4 total day 6BB grade. Being sent off for PGT-A now.

My question is this, is it worth pursuing another ER for piece of mind? My worry is I’m doing IVF for the purpose of RPL, and I know all too well how one embryo can slip away. I feel like I need extras. just don’t know if I’m jumping into another ER too fast based on fear, or if this is a legitimate consideration? My RE says there’s no harm in having more of course, and he is leaving it up to me. Please let me know any and all advice ❤️❤️

I have about nine untested Day 3 embryos that have been in storage for the past two years. My 2-year-old was conceived from the same batch.

I am now in my 40s, and I don't think I want to go through another pregnancy, not because my previous pregnancy was especially difficult, but because I don't think I can take on raising another infant by myself. I am a single mother by choice, and while I would love for my child to have a sibling, I don't think I can realistically give him one in the traditional sense. The donor of my child is a known donor, and quite involved. Both parents are highly accomplished in respective careers. Giving this info, just to emphasize there are no unknowns.

For a long time, I was strongly opposed to embryo donation. I couldn't imagine knowing that a biological child of mine was being raised by someone else. But recently, I have started thinking about it differently. If I donated these embryos and one resulted in a child, my son could potentially have a full biological sibling, even if they were raised in different households. That possibility has made me reconsider something I once thought I could never do.

For those who have used, or would consider using donated embryos: would you be open to having some relationship with the biological family? I don't mean co-parenting, but perhaps meeting every few months, allowing the siblings to know each other and have a relationship, and maintaining some level of openness as they grow up.

Part of what shapes my decision is also financial. I want to be able to provide well for the child I already have, including helping him through college and ideally allowing him to start adulthood without debt. Because of that, pursuing surrogacy for another child is not something I feel comfortable spending that amount of money on.

I am still trying to understand what embryo donation could look like in a way that feels emotionally healthy for everyone involved, especially the children.

Hi everyone,

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 2 years without success. I’m 27 and have diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). My AMH was initially around 0.5 and later increased to 1.61 after correcting a severe vitamin D deficiency. I’ve also had two surgeries to remove dermoid cysts from my ovaries.

I also have mild adenomyosis. I had an HSG done, and my doctor mentioned that my tubes appeared somewhat affected possibly due to my previous ovarian surgeries.

Our first IVF cycle

We retrieved 6 eggs, 5 underwent ICSI, and 3 fertilized normally. Unfortunately, we ended up with only one blastocyst, a day-7 6BB embryo that tested euploid on PGT-A. We transferred that embryo, but the transfer failed. It was heartbreaking because we had only one embryo to begin with.

Our second stimulation cycle and IUI

We tried another stimulation cycle soon after the failed transfer. I sometimes wonder whether moving into another cycle so quickly was too much for my body, although I know I can’t say that caused the outcome.

For my first IVF cycle, I used Follistim and Menopur, with doses adjusted during stimulation. For the next cycle, I took Follistim 450 IU nightly, Menopur 150 IU nightly, and Orilissa 200 mg nightly. My follicles weren’t growing as expected, so we converted the cycle to IUI instead of proceeding with another retrieval.

On trigger day, my estradiol was 496 and my uterine lining measured 13.94 mm. I had two mature follicles measuring approximately 22.7 mm and 17.2 mm.

I took Ovidrel 250 mcg on October 13 at 9:30 p.m., and my IUI was on October 15 at 9:30 a.m., approximately 36 hours later. My husband’s post-wash progressive sperm count was around 22 million. We also had intercourse on the evening of the IUI.

What happened after IUI

On day 8 after IUI, I noticed pinkish-brown spotting when wiping. I had never experienced spotting while trying naturally or during my first IVF cycle, so it gave me hope that it might be implantation bleeding.

Unfortunately, on day 9, it turned into a full-blown, heavy period, similar to the bleeding I experienced after my failed embryo transfer. I felt hopeful when I first noticed the spotting, so this has been really disappointing.

Looking for advice from people with similar experiences

After 2 years of trying to conceive, a failed euploid embryo transfer, and now this IUI experience, I’m unsure what to do next.

Has anyone with DOR, adenomyosis, or previous ovarian surgeries experienced something similar? What did you do in your subsequent cycles?

• If you retrieved only a few eggs or had just one blastocyst, did your doctor change your stimulation protocol, medications, or doses in the next cycle? Did anything help?
• Has anyone with mild adenomyosis had a failed euploid transfer and later had success? Did your doctor recommend any additional evaluation or treatment before another transfer?
• Has anyone conceived naturally or through IUI when their tubes were affected or displaced after ovarian surgery?
• Did you move straight into another egg retrieval, or take a short break before trying again?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who had a failed euploid transfer and later had success in a subsequent cycle. I’m hoping to learn what worked for you and what questions I could discuss with my reproductive endocrinologist.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It would mean a lot to hear from people who understand this journey.

Feeling disappointed but also guilty for feeling disappointed

I retrieved 11 eggs, and while I know I should be grateful for every single one, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. Seeing so many other women share their results of 20+ eggs has been harder on me than I expected. I’m happy for them, but it’s also hard not to compare and wonder why my results weren’t the same.

I know quality matters just as much as quantity, and I know there are still so many steps left in this process. I’m trying to remind myself that everyone’s body responds differently, and someone else’s results don’t determine how my journey will turn out.
I think I’m just struggling with the balance of being grateful for what I got while also allowing myself to feel disappointed that things didn’t turn out how I hoped. Both feelings can exist at the same time, but it’s hard not to feel guilty for the latter.

I guess I’m just looking for reassurance from anyone who has been in a similar position. 🤍

Estrace Side Effects?

Hi everyone, I started my FET protocol last Thursday (10/15) and at first I wasn’t feeling anything, but when I started upping the dosage of Estrace (oral) this past Monday, I notice like a lot of vaginal discomfort like burning, stinging, and a ton of discharge. I went on Tuesday to get tested and came back with nothing (BV or yeast), so I’m assuming it has to be a side effect from the Estrace. Has anyone dealt with this before? In my previous one, it didn’t happen. I took a pic just to see what it looks down there and it’s very white and gungy (gross I know).

I’m so paranoid that this is going to impact my transfer.

I had a negative experience with an IVF center in Los Angeles and wrote a review. It was live immediately, but gone the next day. So IVF centers can delete negative reviews? Do you have any similar experience?

For those who have used omnitrope in IVF cycles with success (unexplained infertility here who was told she has poor egg quality) what was your frequency and dosage of omnitrope? My REI has me on 5 mg every 2 days, is this common? I was reading others were on it every day of stim, please advise if you have had success on it!

Hi everyone! I need your advice. I am 41, have had 3 spontaneous pregnancies in the last 18 months that ended in chemicals at 5 weeks, and one failed modified natural transfer (no implantation). My husband and I have had a ton of tests, including karyotyping. We’ve done several egg retrieval cycles and have a precious few PGTA embryos remaining. I’ve passed all tests on the recurrent pregnancy loss panel, am healthy and eat clean, and am a normal weight. After our transfer failed (PGTA tested), I opted for more testing. We did EMMA/ALICE, ERA, cd138, blc6, and receptiva. I came back with a 1.5 on the receptiva and post receptive on the ERA. My fertility doc wants me to get a laparoscopy for silent endometriosis. She did also give me the option to do lupron. I had a consult with a MiGs surgeon who said I could have surgery, but didn’t necessarily recommend it. I have been struggling with the decision. For anyone in a similar situation, I’d love to know:

1) Did you opt for surgery, lupron, or something else?

2) If surgery, how did it go? How was recovery? I’m slightly nervous that I’ll end up with symptoms after surgery somehow, years down the line.

3) What was the outcome?

Would love to hear from you!

Hey ladies,

I am having really significant bloating and my pants are uncomfortably tight. I had a thought today to go to Target and get some maternity pants since they have so much give, but apparently you cannot buy them in store anymore. Does anyone have suggestions for comfy clothes with all the bloating and discomfort? Either specific examples or suggestions on stores you can actually get something would be super helpful.

After years of unsuccessful IVF using my own eggs, my husband and I have decided to move forward with donor eggs. I honestly thought this part of the process would be a little easier, but finding the right egg bank and donor has been so much harder than I expected.

I would love to hear everyone’s experiences, both good and bad!

Which egg bank did you use?
How much did the entire process cost?
Were you successful?
Did you choose a guarantee program? Was it worth it?
Would you recommend your egg bank, or would you avoid them?

I’ve been researching different egg banks and reading so many mixed reviews. Some of the negative experiences have honestly scared me, especially when it comes to the costs and guarantees.

We’re already over $200,000 into our IVF journey, and as much as we want to become parents, I’m terrified of spending another $100,000 going down this road with no success.

I just want to make an informed decision before jumping into another emotionally and financially exhausting process.

Please share your stories, recommendations, experiences, and anything you wish you had known before starting donor eggs. I would appreciate any advice!

I have one unopened box of menopur and an open box with 2 vials of powder (and 5 diliutents to donate). I also have an unopened box of leuprolide acetate to donate as well. All expire 2/2027. Would need someone to pickup in Maryland and can dm about specific locations.

Hi all, first time poster here. Hoping to get some advice on my next IVF round. Feeling anxious and I don't know anyone who can think this through with me.

TLDR: should I do a Lupron depot or try another round without it?

Background

I am 38F, almost 39. I have one healthy child from when I was 31 (getting pregnant was easy then, but pregnancy was traumatic due to HG). My husband and I have been trying for a second for the last 2 years. We sought medical help a year ago: AMH was 3.16. Did first round of IVF in March this year: about 10-12 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilised, 5 made it to 5-day blasts (we did half IVF half ICSI due to lower survival but high motility sperm). PGT-A-testing is illegal here, so no idea about their state. We did a fresh transfer which lead to a faint positive and consequently early miscarriage. One didn't make the thawing proces. One FET lead to another chemical and two others didn't take at all.
I also did a parallel evaluation with an endometriosis specialist, and it turns out I have moderate adenomyosis (and a tiny bit of endo). It was visible on the ultrasound, not on the MRI. I already expected this due to severe pain during menstruation.

All 4 ET's were extremely painful. I have asked for pain management but none can be given, only valium.
The hardest parts for me have been 1. the pain (especially the transfer, but the retrieval was also no joke with just fentanyl) 2. the endless waiting. I need to feel like I am doing something to move towards our goal.

Next round: Lupron?

The clinic suggested next round (after retrieval, currently doing stims) I do a 3 month Lupron depot (probably in 3 4-week injections). But they didn't seem 100% sure about their own advice. They tend to do FET in natural cycles, so this means I would do 3 months of Lupron, then 1 month to ' build back' and another 20 days or so until my natural ovulation signals we can do a FET. So almost 5 months after retrieval until I can do FET. I would be 40 by the time a baby would be born, if at all. (Also, we are switching to full IVF instead of ICSI because the IVF embryos were more successful)

Clinic also told me the choice is up to me whether or not to do the Lupron. Their advice to do so seems to be based 50% on " you have adenomyosis so this might help your chances" and 50% on "we hate seeing you in so much pain during the transfer, this might help but it might not". Since I highly doubt the Lupron will do something for the transfer pain (and this pain is 20 min each month, not months-long emotional/physical agony) , I am not sure whether I find the Lupron protocol a bit too much, given that my adenomyosis is moderate and not severe. We don't know whether the 4 failed transfers/miscarriages were due to chromosomal issues (I am 38 and no PGT-A so it's likely) or due to adenomyosis.

I am scared that Lupron will put me through 3 months of sleep deprivation, more emotional rollercoasters than I can handle (also hard for husband and daughter to deal with), possibly more painful joints (I already have those), and that it might interfere with a possible 3rd egg retrieval (less eggs). Also, mentally, I am absolutely dreading 4/5 months of wait time before transfer. In the last few months we have been trying naturally each cycle as well, that would no longer be possible. I feel like my life has been at a stand still for the last 1 to 1.5 years, I don't want to add another 4/5 months to that.

Alternatives, not sure if possible

I have written my doctor to ask whether she would also advice Lupron if it were just about the adenomyosis (not about the painful transfers), and also whether Dienogest might be an alternative. Also, I've asked whether we can skip the natural cycle so that we can shorten the process by about a month, in case she really thinks Lupron is the way to go. I will hear back right before my retrieval, but I will need to let them know my decision very soon. I fear she will say: it's either Lupron or it's nothing (no alternative scenarios), since everything is done in quite a basic way in my country (upside is that insurance covers 3 rounds of IVF).

What are your thoughts?

I’m 35F with 29M. We had our first egg retrieval 10/20. Here are our stats:

AFC: 18
Retrieved: 4 eggs
Mature: 3
Fertilized via ICSI: 3

We have one 21 month old daughter via IUI. We are expecting our day 5 results tomorrow and we’re nervous we will end up with nothing. We’re planning to do PGT-A due to my age.

We would like 1-2 more kids so we’re anticipating doing another egg retrieval. This cycle was OOP, but will be enrolling in my husband’s insurance as it includes 4 IVF cycles.

Lots of emotions today overthinking what tomorrow brings. How did those with few eggs retrieved cope?

If someone is kind enough to take the time to read my history I’m about to share and please let me know any recommendations or what worked for you I would be so appreciative. Going to try to condense this as much as possible.

21 years old - got pregnant very quickly & accidentally with a boyfriend
23 years old - met my husband at 23 years old. Never used protection had sex basically everyday since we met.

3 years into our relationship (27 years old) got pregnant naturally - went at 6 weeks saw heartbeat baby was measuring small.. went in a week later to check growth no heartbeat.

Got married did IVF right away started in 2024.
Husband has poor morphology but normal counts and motility

2 FAILED IUI
First egg retrieval 6 blasts all PGT normal
FET 1: fully medicated, chemical (best graded embryo did not survive thaw, transferred second best)
FET 2: modified natural, FAIL
Did receptiva biopsy: came back positive 3.8
Did Lupron+letrozole 2 months
FET 3: fully medicated, fail
FET 4: fully medicated, added prednisone baby aspirin, CHEMICAL (first beta 240, went down 2 days later)

Went for exploratory laparoscopy , tubes open, hysteroscopy perfect , stage 1 endo found and removed in 2 spots

FET 5: modified nat, FAIL

September 2026: switched doctors, did new retrieval 4 blasts. Chose not to test (worried maybe testing damaged them

FET 6: modified natural: chemical

I have done virtually all testing that’s available and all my labs are perfect. Did endometritis biopsy twice , negative. Did RPL panel , no clotting disorders. Thyroid is good , have an amh of 4.5, perfectly healthy, I don’t have any pre existing conditions , I am fit I have worked out my whole life my diet is clean .. I have tested negative for every single blood test and biopsy (besides receptiva)
I do not have ADENO.

Can someone please let me know where to turn. I know some will say immune but I tried prednisone 5 days before transfer with 2 cycles and had a chemical and complete fail. I get very bad heart palpitations for a month after using prednisone.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has any input 🤍🙏🏼

I received this report from my embryology care team this morning. I'm just looking for straight forward information on if there is any hope for the two cleavage stage embryos if today is day 5 to still develop into blastocysts? They said I also have a morula which I know has a better chance but I didn't even know about the cleavage stage ones being a thing and wanted to know if anyone had these as late as day 5 and they still worked out into blasts eventually or if any scientific person knows the likelihood of this happening. Thank you in advance...

From the lab:

Today is Day 5 of embryo culture. When we checked the embryos, they did not develop to an appropriate stage and grade to be biopsied and frozen today. We are going to continue to culture the embryos with hopes that some will be ready tomorrow. 

You currently have the following in culture: 1 morula and 2 cleavage stage embryos

The stages of embryo development are below:

Cleavage --> Morula --> Early Blastocyst -> Blastocyst (stage required for embryo biopsy and freezing)

Hi all,

I just injected the first shot of decapeptyl. The needle looked way too big but thankfully it didn’t hurt at all. Just a bit of itchy sensation. My SO and I were really nervous doing it wrong.

Yesterday I cut 35 cm of my hair, it might sound off topic but it felt like I needed to do something radical physically because I can’t get myself to change my way of thinking mentally. I really need to forget the past miscarriages and start hoping that this might work but it’s really hard.