4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

Background: I have one child from my second IVF cycle. First cycle was also a BFP but resulted in a loss of twins in 2nd trimester. For this reason, I have transferred only 1 embryo since that first cycle. I was 34 at that time and I am now 36 yrs old.

Since then, I have had 3 fresh cycles and 1 frozen - all BFNs, for a total of 6 (5 fresh + 1 frozen). I'm at Cornell in NYC. My RE has suggested transferring 2 embryos but I'm still terrified of repeating that devastating loss. I consulted a maternal fetal specialist after that and she said she thinks the loss was twin-related so I've been transferring 1 embryo since then. I've also exhausted all my insurance coverage. So at 36 years old, no more insurance coverage, and 4 BFN's in a row, I'm at a loss. I don't want to give up. Our issue is male factor so we've always done ICSI and had about a 67% fertilization rate.

What would you do? Change clinics? Transfer more than 1 embryo? What would other clinics do that Cornell isn't doing?

Message edited 3/25/2013 3:12:09 PM.

4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

cant imagine how hard this is even. so sorry u are on this rollercoaster.
if it was me I would try for next cycle to transfer 2 at least, esp that is what ur RE is recommending.
is there anything u feel ur RE not doing that u would like him to? have u been adjusting ur protocols? those are the 2 things I would look into making a decision to switch or not Dr. but then again it doesn hurt to take a bit time off and cosult another Dr and see what a fresh pair of eyes can see/say

Re: 4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

First off I'm so sorry

Have you looked into immune issues? I would definitely go for a consult with another RE. Try Dr. Tortoriello he is great. Either way I would definitely go to another RE to try to get a fresh set of eyes.

4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

My feelings are that a second opinion does not hurt - sometimes a fresh set of eyes can make all the difference.

Has your current RE modified your protocol? Do you feel they are responsive to your concerns? In my situation, the answer to both of these questions was no so we are now seeing a new RE/

Re: 4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

After 4 failed cycles I changed practices. I think the most frustrating was my RE refused to change my protocol and I felt if its not working why not change protocols so I left. It was the best decision ever I am almost 13 weeks preggo after a FET(2nd transfer) at new RE.

As far as 1 or 2 embryos...that's a personal choice. I've always transferred 2 and never had a doubt that I would transfer 2 since I had a better chance of one implanting. Just keep in mind at one time I had a loss and I was 28 weeks pregnant with a singleton so whether its twins or a singleton our bodies are unpredictable.

Re: 4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

I can relate. My 4th IVF failure was last month...also @ Cornell. Have you had the sperm DNA fragmentation test? DH's came back surprisingly poor, and this can really hurt the chances of normal embryo production. The urology team @ Cornell is also excellent, so I'd consult with them if you haven't already, especially if you're only transferring 1 but still have nothing to freeze. Embryos that go south after day 3 theoretically can have sperm issues.

And yes, if I were paying OOP for another go-around, I'd transfer 2.

4th IVF BFN... would you switch clinics?

Thanks ladies. I'm trying to get a consult with Dr. T at SIRM but the receptionist hasn't called me back yet. She said earliest was June but would call me back to confirm. Ugh! Dr. Wang at SIRM has availability next month so I may go with him... at my age, every month counts!

My current RE has not changed my protocol since IVF #3. I've done co-culture since IVF #3 also (co-culture is when they take a small scrape of your uterine lining and grow the embryo cells in that instead of a petri dish prior to ET).

I will ask about sperm fragmentation - thanks!

Message edited 3/26/2013 9:52:51 AM.