Need advice! Keep going or time to call it quits

[Febhuds]

First, let me just give my strength and encouragement to everyone on the assisted conception page. I hope your dreams come true. The reason I'm postings is to get others insights into how to know whether it makes sense to continue with ivf. My bio- after 6 fresh ivf cycles (including one miscarriage) we got pregnant with our daughter. I was 38 at the time (tried for 2-3 years). Now I'm 40, and after another miscarriage, we have been trying to bank embryos for PGS testing. We have two blasts to test. Every cycle I get about 8 eggs and have embryos on day 3, but they usually fizzle out by day 5, so not getting great quality embryos. Would you continue trying to bank, go back to 3 day transfers, give up? Doctor wants 6-8 blasts to test but not sure if I will ever get there! It is so hard to know what to do because I'm still getting eggs, if I weren't it would be an easier decision to quit (because the decision would kinda be made for me). Anyway, lots of women with lots of experiences here - any words of wisdom appreciated. And best of luck to you all, I have been there!

 

[Febhuds]

Bump? Anyone? Would love your thoughts.

 

[Holly ttc]

When I ended up with viable embryos on day five I couldn't wait to transfer them. Having them tested didn't even cross my mind because I knew that would be even longer that I had to wait. I've been through two transfers now, the second ending in a loss at 10wks. I am torn still looking back now on if I should have sent them off or not. It would have possibly resulted in me not losing the last one and all the heartbreak that accompanied it, but I could have also had 0 come back as okay. I think due to your age it would be best to at least try for one more batch to freeze so you can get tests done on them, but if I were in your shoes I think after that I would start transferring regardless. Kudos to you for the patience you've had with it so far and I hope what you have/get will give you the baby you want.

 

[Rq120]

There is a podcast called Beat Infertility. Bonus episode #20 is about diminished ovarian reserve. The doc is a specialist in DOR and talks about the role of PGS testing in "advanced age". It may help you.

 

[Febhuds]

Thanks both, we just had egg retrieval today. Retrieved none eggs and will know tomorrow what fertilized. Are going to play it day by day to determine whether to transfer but our ideal plan is to bank again. Hopefully the embryos cooperate!! After two miscarriages and my age I think it is our best shot. Appreciate everyone who commented and good luck with your journeys!

 

[star25]

Hi wanted to with you luck, alsoJust a thought if you have a good amount fertilised could you have a day 3 transfer and then freeze any that make it to blast?

 

[Febhuds]

Thanks for all of your thoughts, really helpful!! And rq120 congrats on your BFP! Yay! We ended up with only five mature eggs and 3 fertilized and we decided to cross our fingers for 5 day blasts to freeze for PGS. It really only looks like one will make it, if any. We have really been on the fence about 3 day vs 5 day blasts but after 2 miscarriages we thought it was s good idea. However, I listened to the podcast you suggested and his philosophy about doing three day transfers for older women who have trouble making blasts. This made me feel better about going back to 3 day and also gave me a little hope there may still be some good ones left. Only takes one right!

What is diminished reserve? My doctor has described me as a poor responder, is that the same thing? I usually have about 8 eggs per cycle and my Fsh was a 6 and amh 1.2. Anyway thanks and best of luck everyone!!!

 

[Vonn]

Just wanted to say good luck to you. You mentioned your dr wanted 6-8 blasts to send for testing. It may feel difficult to get to that number. You should do as many cycles as you feel okay doing & then send off what you have off for testing. Sure, it'd be nice to have a ton of "options," but don't think that's the only way to move forward. It could be that you feel overwhelmed by what feels like such a high hurdle to jump over & if you remove that arbitrary number, you might feel more hopeful.

 

[Rq120]

Febhuds, I'm glad you found the podcast useful! I thought it was an interesting take on DOR and I have never heard that info put in that perspective before. I think it is good to hear different opinions, esp when those opinions are coming from specialists!
Diminished ovarian reserve is where your body is close to menopause (or early menopause) and your ovarian stores are getting low. This is usually marked by lower antral follicle counts, high amh, and high FSH.
Thank you for the congrats also.