donor eggs after 1 failed IVF

[buku]

Hi there, hope someone out there will help me to make sense of my situation. I am 33 and DH is 35 (very healthy sperm). Problem is i have stage 3-4 endometriosis and had laporascopy in June 09 followed by 1st ICSI in July 09 which failed. We changed clinics and the FS at the new clinic reckons I should go for donor eggs due to poor egg quality. I did long protol ICSI (fostimon and Lucrin), had 13 follicles, only 4 fertilised as follows: 1x compacted morula grade 2, 1 x 6 cell embryo grade 3, 1 x 4 cell embryo grade 5 and 1 x 3 cell embyro grade 5. Is is justifiable to send us straight to donor eggs without trying my own eggs again? My other concern is that time might be runnig out as FS told IF i wait longer than six months after laporascopy the endometriosis might come back again. Please help, so miserable- BUKU

[sophie]

Hi Buku,

I am sorry that your IVF did not work.

Re donor eggs: Given your rather young age, I believe, it is worth giving it another try, but before that please make sure that the bloodwork is done to assess your ovarian reserve and that the state of your uterus is properly checked. All good FS do it as a routine before an IVF.
Also consider that perhaps another protocol might give better results.

Re endometriosis: Yes it is true that it always grows back and sometimes very quickly but please try not to stress too much about it. I have had good IVF stimulations despite endometriomas and endometriosis.

I believe, you would benefit from a second opinion at this stage. Even in case, all tests were done already, maybe another pair of eyes can give another interpretation.

All the best,
Sophie

[Ginger]

Hi Buku,

Welcome to the forum, I am sorry that your IVF was a BFN.
I would definitely get a second opinion and have another try.

Has your doctor done all the tests, FSH, AMH, HSG xray etc? Without these it is very difficult to see the whole picture. I was also told that I may have to consider using donor eggs after my first IVF, however this was based on my high FSH and my embryos not looking so good.

As far as the endo goes. I know that sometimes it can come back, but six months is rather quick from what I have been told.

Can I also ask? Why ICSI if your DH has healthy sperm?

[Kimbal]

I am no expert on eggs or Donnor eggs but I would certainly get a 2nd opinion. THe eggs you have produced sound like it would be worth giving them another bash !

[Alchemist]

Def get a 2nd opinion. The girls are right, you cant just look at the egg story but also the hormonal one. If your FS isnt doing a full analysis, he may not be giving you the right hormones to stimulate egg production / growth etc.

GL......

[Mash]

Hi Buku

I'm still a relative newbie myself, but I've learnt one thing, if you haven't had lots and lots of tests done, you aren't getting the correct treatment. I've also read lots of books on fertility, and 4 fertilised eggs is not an indication for donor eggs from what I understand.

Look up Cam's posts, she recently had similar issues and her FS is still not giving up and going for donor eggs.

Welcome to the forum!

M

[buku]

Hey Ladies,

Thank you al 4 a warm welcome and your much needed responses. I know i 4got to introduce myself, sorry about that, but obviously most of you noticed um a newbie!! We will certainly be going for a 2nd opinion albeit at a cheaper clinic (PTA academic hopital). I hear it's reasonable than Medfem, Vitalab,Bioart etc. My 1st consultation is on 4th Feb 2010, i can't wait! in fact i want to call and ask for an earlier date as my next period starts on the 4th Feb and would have loved to do next IVF then...PUSHING IT, I know will keep you posted how it goes

Ginger regarding your question this is the explanation i got from FS " when they realised i had poor eggs, they figured to increase the chances of fertilisation they should go 1 step up and inject the sperm" Dunno if this is true/logical but if you are vulnerable you tend to believe everything...

Thank you all once again, God bless and may all your baby wishes be fulfilled in 2010!

P.S: pls dont mind my long e-mails, still learning the lingo and abbreviations

BUKU

[Ginger]

Hey Buku,

Keep us updated on that second opinion!
I really hope it's great news!!!!

[buku]

Hey gals,

I promised feedback after my first consultation at PTA academic hosp and i must say um impressed with Dr Singh, she is compassionate, easy to chat to and the fact that she is a woman is a bonus!I must say i am so optimistic...as DH and I were waiting for our turn to consult, two couples walked in to show staff their babies, conceived through the same clinic and through Dr Singh! Now that was some serious motivation

Anyway i will be doing tests (hormones and all) and within two weeks should go back for follow up visit where we'll find out which protocol will be suitable and when do we start. One thing though, Dr Singh put me on femodene to regulate my heavy period but i'm worried how this would affect fertility treatment given that Femodene is a contraceptive pill, but i guess she wouldn't put me on it if the effects were undesirable? Has anyone been put on contraceptives whilst planning to start fertility treatment?

[kim m]

Hi Buku

Contraceptive pills can be used during IVF cycles, depending on the protocol your doctor wants to use. Best plan is always to ask your doctor why they're doing something, but if you only remember afterwards, web research gives an idea of what's common or not. This forum also has an infertility knowledgebase section which answers a lot of common fertility questions, so maybe start there first.

I used donor eggs and had to be on contraceptive pill to line up my cycle with the donors. But plenty of women using their own eggs use pills too.

Glad you are getting more help. Cost was a factor for me too and you shouldn't feel the care is any less sincere or the doctors less knowledgeable at academic hospitals.

I was treated between Groote Schuur (government) and UCT Private (semi-private academic) Hospitals, as my FS practices at both. I see my FS at UCT for all consultations and unlike most fertility patients at private clinics, I email him directly or call his cell number if I need him urgently. He always calls back.

Best of luck in your journey, Kim