First IVF cycle-BFN

Just got the results today, found out my IVF cycle was not successful. We were anticipating this outcome but it still stinks. I had posted that after my transfer I was in extreme pain, due to the fact that they had to go through my abdomen to retrieve the eggs from my left ovary.

On the day I was scheduled for my day three transfer, I got a call that they were pushing it to day 5 because everything was progressing well and things were looking good. They had retrieved 15 eggs, 9 were mature and 4 fertilized with ICSI. When we went in for the day 5 transfer the doctor told us the embryos were no longer looking good and the embryologist suggested we not even transfer them. We decided to go ahead and transfer anyway, putting all four back in, even though the doctor said it would take a miracle for it to work out. So we were pretty much set up to know that this was not going to work, but we figured we had nothing to lose.

Anyway, I guess my question is has this happened to anyone else, where everything is looking great on day 3 and by day 5 everything fell apart? Any insight? We are moving forward with our next cycle, but it is so nerve wracking. The doctor, not my normal doctor, but one in the practice suggested that we might do a few more days of stimming to ensure that more eggs are more mature and he thought this was just a fluke thing. I hope and pray it is a fluke!

Thanks for any insight!

Re: First IVF cycle-BFN

First off, I want to say I am sorry to hear that your cycle resulted in a BFN. I, unfortunately, have been in your shoes two times in the past year and am still waiting for my BFP.

My story is somewhat similar in terms of embryo quality.

Cycle 1 - stimmed well, but had high E2 levels so I needed to coast - 13/19 eggs were mature. 8/13 eggs fertilized using ICSI. By Day 5, they were all growing slowly, but my RE had hope (I now realize he is a hopeless optimistic-don't get me started). None made it to freeze.

Cycle 2 - used same protocol, but lower dose of gonal f to help me stim longer and keep my E2 levels in check. 19/22 eggs were mature. 18/19 fertilized using ICSI. We did a 3dt - all seemed to be progressing nicely - there do not rate day 3 embryos. We had 5 to freeze, but they were all of the lowest quality. My RE is optimistic for a FET, but so far we have not taken him up on his offer....


To answer your questions:

I have tried to do some research on this matter as to why embryos look fine and suddenly take a turn for the worst. The three major factors: sperm quality, egg quality, lab conditions. I know that provides little help, but that is what I have found. We are dealing with severe MFI (due to testicular cancer/chemotherapy) so I am pretty sure sperm is the issue although my RE is hesitant to confirm this. I also think lab conditions might be an issue.

It could just be that this cycle was a fluke. It has happened to other ladies on this board before.

Because of this, we are seeking a second opinion. My RE wants us to use the same protocol again and that has me I majored in science in college, you can not keep doing the same experiment over and over again expecting to get different results.

Re: First IVF cycle-BFN

We actually had this exact scenario. IVF retrieved 15 eggs, 10 were mature and 5 fertilized through ICSI. On day 3, I had 4 perfect embryos (2 A+ and 2A). We pushed to day 5 and by then none had made it to blasts. 2 had stalled and 2 were still morulas and just hanging on. For us, it was sperm quality. After much research, and my dr confirmed, the egg DNA handles days 1-3. At day 4 the sperm DMA kicks in, so if the embryos slow down then, it's likely a sperm issue. If you already had 9 eggs, I don't think that stimming longer is the solution. I'd inquire if they think it's a sperm issue.

If you used ICSI, can I assume you are dealing with MFI issues?

First IVF cycle-BFN

A girl on this site told me a very similar story to yours. Turned out her husband had DNA Fragmentation of the sperm. Basically from day 1-3 is your egg and from then on is a sperm issue (Usually). You can look it up on the internet and it explains it for the most part. If you want further explaination i would be glad to FM with you. But.. long story short she was able to send away for this test and after seeing that is was this issue was able to have the RE use a special dish that corrects for the dna fragmentation. i have to webite on where to get it from if youre interested . Definitely look it up and talk to your RE about it. If you want to chat more feel free to FM me. Good Luck

Re: First IVF cycle-BFN

Re: First IVF cycle-BFN

If you used ICSI, can I assume you are dealing with MFI issues?


Actually we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. All of my husband's testing was fine, he has always had a good sperm count etc. We did 6 iui's (two natural and four with clomid) and none of them worked. However, when we were going through our first cycle with IVF my husband was also suffering with a kidney stone. Unbeknownst to us, the medication they put him on for the kidney stone did affect his sperm sample. Long story, but the numbers were way less than what he normally has but still fine according to the doctor. I guess that is why they did ICSI.

First IVF cycle-BFN

i think based on the responses to this thread you should make sure your DH gets a DNA defragmentation SA. my DH had one done just based on borderline low morphology and the results showed high oxidization. the solution was for DH to take an antioxidant. we never had any further problems with his samples. our real issue was with me - PCOS, immune and thrombo issues.

we did do ICSI because it was standard with the lab we used. you dont necessarily have to have male factor issues to do ICSI.

im sorry i dont have much advice otherwise. good luck!!

Re: First IVF cycle-BFN

Thank you so much for the responses. I will talk to my DH and my doctor about that test. I appreciate everyone taking the time to answer me, I don't post often but this board has been so helpful to me through this process! Thanks again!