Failed IVF first Cycle- Issues

Hi,
I am new to this area, I just completed my first failed IVF cycle. Collected 14 eggs, 4 of which were not mature but 10 were great. The clinic rang me the next day and told
Me that none had fertilised. My DH had low sperm count but they didn’t think it was that low or would cause this to happen. I am mad, upset and all the rest. I am finding
It hard to just move on as I know in my heart that the quality of the eggs were great but together with the sperm nothing. The scientist said that they watch the sperm just swim
Around the egg, not able to penetrate the egg. Doctor has suggested we go again but do the assisted insemination. I am so upset and concerned that I go through another
Cycle and the same thing will happen. I guess I am angry and upset with DH and the doctors as I am not sure if next time will be any different. Has anyone gone from a failed IVF cycle to the ICSU Cycle?
Any advice to get through this and not end a marriage would be great.

[jamaicababy]

So sorry to hear of your failed cycle. I too just had a failed cycle, we did ICSI from the get go as our doctor had told us DH had sperm issues. Did they not test your DH's sperm before the cycle to know his motility, count etc?

Don't be discouraged I know it is hard, believe me I am still wondering why and this happened in May, it is very confusing. Remember it isn't your hubby's fault either so take it easy on him. I was very angry at first, first my body couldn't do what is was supposed and then my hubby's wasn't 100% an he already has a child from a previous marriage. So I know what you are going through. We fortunately have 2 frozen but if that doesn't work I am really not sure what will happen. I just have to be positive and so do you. Only 5 of my eggs got fertilized out of 11 retrieved. At least you know IVF is an option for you, good production of eggs etc. ICSI is a great option and you should try it if you can.

Hope this helps and  I wish you all the very best.

[AnnieBrooke]

I'd definitely do ICSI, the assisted insemination where they put the sperm into the egg with the needle.  You never know, your eggs might have hard shells that would be a challenge for any sperm.  :)  Every IVF round I've had, some were ICSI and some naturally fertilized.  It's no big deal, it's still your husband's sperm!  It doesn't really make sense to go as far as IVF, which by nobody's definition is "natural," and then suddenly draw the line at assisted insemination.  It's all assisted, by the time you're doing IVF.

Good luck, sweetheart.  Go for another round and take all the help you can get.  :)

[mhv]

Go for the ICSI!  They take the best sperm and directly insert it in the eggs.  It will give you a much better outcome!  It's to bad they did not suggest it before, but you can move forward knowing that this will have a much better outcome!  
Good Luck!

Melissa

[mlb1234]

Lots of people do ICSI - it is very common.  In fact even though I had 27 eggs  and have been pregnanct 4 times by dh my clinic still decided to do 1/3 of the eggs with ICSI and 2/3 of them standard fertilization just to be on the safe side.

[kris71]

I think your clinic didn't do their job properly if none of the eggs fertilized. They should have tested you DH's sperm and if there was a motility issue, that should have been detected. I did Icsi for my ivf, because my hubby had just a slight morphology problem but the dr didn't want to take any chances. I bet you'll have success with icsi. Good luck!

[Kricket212]

I agree with Kris71... How come they didnt know this ahead of time?  Was he tested?
I know how frustrating it is.   I am on IVF #3.  Hang in there......
Go another round & Try ICSI

[Kartier1]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies. I am sorry if I sounded harsh in my previous post, I was upset and angry. They did test DH sperm three times and it was different eachtime. The first time- low count but ok mobility the next time better count and mobility and then the last time was the same. I just wish I knew what might happen, the doctor said I dont see any issue at all with doing a straight IVF cycle. Had I been warned of the chances that nothing would fertalise then I would have gone straight to the ICSI. I know I cannot turn the clock back and we are waiting for my AF to come to start again. I am very nervous that the same thing will happen (Ie nothing fertalise) with ICSI and thats the stress I am facing plus the money issue. Can anyone tell me how long after a failed IVF cycle, (after egg collection) will I expect AF to arrive. It has been 8 days since my egg collection? Just want it to come so I can ring the clinic?
Thanks for your support, feel very alone right now

[kris71]

i can't imagine how frustrated you must be. I still think the clinic screwed up. If their was ANY question regarding sperm, then they should have just went straight to ICSI and not chanced anything. 3 different tests with 3 different results seems to me that there is a problem there.  there is WAY too much emotion, time and money invested in IVF to just "hope for the best" ya know??? maybe you should switch clinics.

[mlb1234]

I totally agree - at my clinic there main goal is to get you to transfer.  They do not like cancelled cycles.  Even with my great odds of fertilization they were still very conservative and had a backup in case the standard way failed.  ICSI should not fail to fertilize all the eggs but only a small percentage.  You should have much better luck with the ICSI.  I would also question your RE - that was very bad judgment.  I am guessing it would take the usual 2 weeks to get AF after retrieval but I could be wrong on that.  Best of luck next time - be sure to ask lots of questions!!!

[jessting]

Good luck to you!  I had to have ICSI too, and 9 out of my 12 fertilized my second IVF cycle. My embryo quality wasnt great though..but we are working on that(:  But did have one embryo to transfer on that round, it did work but we are cont to use info and changed doctors to hope for a better outcome with next round in a few months. Dont give up , or get yourself down. This rollercoaster in the fertility world is a crazy one(:  But well worth it in the round we ahve to remember!!  Take care

[nshapland]

how do you work on embryo quality?  By changing the medications?

[Kartier1]

Thanks for the comments, it has made me alot more understanding of my situation and to hang in there and continue to go through to the ICSI. I guess I was disappointed that the ICSI was not suggested with all the evidence that was given at that time. I am looking at another clinic but in the end doing the ICSI I hope will better our chances this time around. Mind you I am so nervous to restart (due to start the cycle in July 10) as I worry the same thing will happen again. I guess its a trial but one that I understand has happened alot to other people. Can anyone tell me the possible success rates , or if its worked for others doing the ICSI after a failed IVF cycle like mine. I have placed DH on menivte and other herbs to help him for the next month (apparently it has made a difference to other men with DH issue). I can only hope.
Jessting- Thanks for your kind words, it helps alot. Can I ask what happened to your first IVF cycle? Also how do you improve egg quality?
Your right- it is worth it and thats what I keep saying to myself. I guess I want to be armed with what to expect so I dont get that news again.
Thanks Everyone- you have helped me understand this IVF world

[jessting]

  My first IVF cycle i had seveere OHSS, and got really sick. Ended with 36 eggs and was too sick for a transfer on day 3...but then none of my embryos made it to a blastocyst. SO,  now they think that my eggs are ok..but some women loose some of there quality when they produce more than they normally would(as we do in IVF). So, Im switching doctors...starting a gonotropin/antagonist IVF cycle in sept..and started on glucaphage which i will be taking for a few months prior to next cycle(can inprove egg quality by working on insulin levels..which play into to hormones and egg issues) So..hopefully this next round works!!  Good luck to you and let me know how things are going!

[trh0819]

Sorry for your frustration. It's certainly understandable. I agree with a few of the comments above in wondering why ICSI was never discussed. My RE actually makes you sign NOT to do ICSI. It's just an automatic as it increases chances and like someone mentioned, the goal is to get you to transfer, not cancel.

And I totally agree with Annie... if you're doing IVF, you're being assisted so why draw the line. I was concerned at first and considered not signing the papers until my RE better explained it. We did ICSI on all 9 of my mature eggs. 8 fertilized. We implanted two and froze 5. (1 never made it far enough) I'm now six weeks pregnant. Good luck to you!

[happynifer]

we did ICSI on our first due to motility and morphology issues.  i only had 3 mature eggs of 8 that were retrieved, but all 3 fertilized and we are 14 weeks pregnant now as a result of this cycle with one baby.
so go for ICSI :)

[brandiw13]

I'd be questioning why they didn't discuss ICSI as well....my husband has low count, motility, AND morphology. When we initially went in for consultation, that was the first thing out my doctor's mouth was "you'll have to use icsi".  without it, there was like a next to nothing chance we'd ever get pregnant. our cycle worked and i'm 7 wks pg w/ twins.


keep up hope!!! good luck to you and your husband :)

[Kartier1]

Hi,
Thanks for the messages, the more I read the more I think my FS didn’t do the right thing by us. I am not sure now if it will do any good to change DRs now as the clinic is a street away from my work and they are going to do the ICSI this time. I am due to start on the 12th July for the long reg cycle and I am now keen to start again putting the past behind me. However I still have that concern that it will happen again but I know if I don’t try I will regret it.  
Jessting- I am sorry to hear you got sever OHSS, it’s not a nice thing to go through I hear. I am crossing my fingers for you.

Trh0819- ICSI was not discussed at all. I did ask about it and the Dr said well I don’t think you will have any issue at all. Well we did and now I have to do it all again. The Dr rang me and said he was shocked that it happened and that next time we will do the ICSI. I asked why it was not an option for me as if I had any doubt I would have just done the ICSI. He said that nothing jumped out at him that this would happen. This happens to one in thirty couples??? So here we are on round 2 next month for ICSI and all I can do is cross my fingers and hope it goes well. Congrats on being pregnant- reading that makes me feel better and positive- thanks trh0819.

Happynifer
Thanks for your reply- We are starting on the 12th July for ICSI round. I am nervous and just want to start again. I am still a little worried about it as I am concerned it will happen again. But I know I have to keep positive and hope. Congrats on being pregnant, well done.

Brandiw13
I have questioned the DR and he said that the results were not alarming enough for him to suggest doing ICSI. Well I guess he has now seen that it is an issue. He had a look at my egg quality and said that 10 out of 14 were great but that DH sperm was not able to get through. Congrats on the twins, wow that wonderful result and news. Keep me updated on how you’re doing.

Kartier