Just got my 2nd BFN. Advice on next step

[10_07]

Hello all you beautiful ladies.

I just got my 2nd bfn, which is not a big surprise to me. I had a feeling from day of ovulation that this just wasnt my cycle. I am 38 and DH is 40. Our RE does not see any reason (other then age) why we can't conceive. He says I respond well to the clomid, but I am only producing 2 mature follies. He mentioned that if this cycle did not work I could choose to be more aggressive. I am trying to figure out if I should ask him to up me from 100mg to 150mg of clomid, try injectables, or go for IVF. Honestly, I don't know that I am ready for IVF. I do not have a job that would allow me to be seen on a daily basis for monitoring. Any suggestions?

[kristine625]

Sorry it took so long to respond.  Usuk pretty much summed it up.

I am taking 81mg a day.  I understand it can also help thicken the uterine lining in addition to usuk's explanation.

In my case, the Factor V Leiden (blood clotting) came back normal from the initial miscarriage panel a year ago.  But he still wanted me to take it.  Mostly because, as usuk said, it essentially can't do any harm (but of course you still want to make sure it is alright with your RE that you do take it).

In fact, my RE tells everyone to take progesterone suppositories and baby aspirin (unless there is a really specific or unusual reason why they shouldn't).  It made me really frustrated in the beginning because I really didn't feel like he was doing anything to help ME.  He pretty much told me to do the same thing he tells everyone else in his office who has a similar situation.... because it can't hurt.  It might help, but it can't hurt so we may as well try.  I'm still a little frustrated about it.  But what can we do?   Modern medicine does not have a solution for every possible problem with infertility right now, unfortunately.

[10_07]

Thanks for the information!

[usuk]

Baby aspirin is prescribed to prevent clotting. Some people have MCs because of mild or strong clotting tendencies. Since it does not do harm, it is given proactively in some cases of unexplained infertility or unexplained recurrent MC. For women who have tested for more severe clotting issues, they take other shots every day like Lovenox (spelling?). Talk to your Dr. before you take the baby aspirin though (one a day).

[10_07]

Thank you so much for your comment and words of encouragement. It is always reassuring to hear I am not alone!

I do have a question, if you don't mind me asking... I have heard of other people taking "baby aspirin" but am wondering, is that to help the uterine lining? And how much do you take? How would you know if you needed it or not? ok- that was actually 3 questions! Sorry!

I am sending tonds of baby dust your way!

[kristine625]

Good luck this month.  I know what it feels like.  I'm 39 y/o, no kids, 4 m/c.  My RE tells me he sees absolutely  no reason why I cannot have a baby.  Everything looks great.  Aside from my age, obviously that speaks for itself.

We tried Clomid and HCG to trigger and for support for three cycles (had my 4th m/c on the first round),  then we switched to Femara.  Now we are trying Femara, Bravelle, HCG to trigger and for support, us to monitor follies and IUI.  And of course progesterone and baby aspirin and extra folic acid.

I definitely think the injectables will help.  I had two follies this cycle with the Bravelle injectable.  One on each side.  26mm and 25mm.  In the past, my biggest was around 22.

I think you're doing the right thing.  It's all any of us can do.  Continue pushing forward.  You never know when the magic egg is going to ovulate.  Hang in there.  I'm sending positive vibes your way!!

[10_07]

Just an update... My baseline US went fine so I am on clomid from day 3-7 and then adding follistim day 7-11. I go back for my mid-cycle this Friday on cd 9. Last month when I went in on CD 12 my 2 mature follies were already at 30 and 22 or maybe it was 24...so if the follies are a good size this Friday he will have me trigger for IUI # 3. I am really hoping 3rd time is a charm! I have a conference I have to go to in April, so if it doesn't happen this month, I will be taking a month off.

I hope you all are doing well and wishing we see some BFPs!!!!

[Kricket212]

I am waiting for AF & then will start my IUI which they told me on day 3 usually starts. WHen do they do a baseline?
This will be my first IUI. I have done one cycle of IVF but that is it.

[10_07]

So I am going to be on Clomid and then go to injectables on cd 5 this month.

Amy- I totally understand how frustrating and disappointing this all is. If I had a job that would allow me such close monitoring, I would try IVF as well. Best of luck to you!

[amy217]

10_07-I am really sorry about your BFN.  I think I will be in your same boat with the same questions.  I am on my second round of IUI and I really don't feel like it's going to work, just  a gut feeling I have.  I don't go for my blood test for at least another week.  I have already spoken to my doctor about IVF and to be honest, I think I'm going to head in that direction next month if this time is not successful.  The disappointments are killing me and if I have a greater chance of being successful with IVF, I'm going for it.  Emotionally this is tough.  Talk to your doctor and see what he/she suggests.  Good luck-keep the faith even though somedays it is a struggle.

[10_07]

I agree that this place can be comforting. It is nice to talk to others who are having similar experiences. I did call the RE today to report my bfn and told the nurse to let my RE know that I want to get more aggressive. I guess I will talk to him more when I have my baseline ultrasound. So now I am just waiting for AF to come so that I can get back in the game. This will be my 3rd cycle as well. Best of Luck to you!

[dcgroves]

Hello All,
I have been reading the posts over the last couple of days and I know that this sounds wierd but I first I felt like I was all alone on this journey.  I was hoping for a BFP this cycle but instead I got AF.  I was really upset.  We are gonna start cycle three this go around and hope that it works.

10_07 I think that you should tell your doctor that you want to be more aggressive.  I promise that they will understand.  I believe that they want each patient to get pregnant as much as the patient!  

I hope that everyone here will get the BFP that they are looking for.  Try to stay positive and not stress. :) Easier said than done.

[10_07]

Thank you all for your comments. It really helps to get some advice from others who are experiencing or have experienced what I am going through. My hubby and I have been trying for 4 years prior to seeing the RE. I was feeling confident because he flat out said he thought I would have a good chance with IUI,  but now- my confidence is dwindling. The first month I took 100mg day 5-9 and produced 2 eggs, same as this month when I took it day 3-7, only this month they were bigger. And you are all right, due to my age, the chance of a good egg maturing it against me. I really think that I need more per cycle! I would like to see at least 4 for an IUI procedure. My RE's partner, who basically told me the same thing about age and eggs, thought if I took 150mg of clomid I might get more eggs. My RE thought I could try 1 or 2 more IUI cycles but the more time that passes, the more the odds stack up against me! I think that if I am going to do another IUI I really need to take a medication that is going to give me lots of follies! I am not totally against IVF, but if I do it and it doesn't work, my insurance money is gone. Thank you again ladies! I will call my RE tomorrow and tell him I want to get more aggressive! Best of Luck to everyone!

[tryingfor6years]

10_07,  I know how much negatives suck....  I have some info for you though. First, Clomid is good but not great. There are some other drugs that are being used right now with great success, some are "off label" though. Side effects from injectibles are generally a lot better than Clomind if that makes you feel any better. The big bummer is that once we hit 35 our egg quality really drops. So when you combine that with the odds of IUI it may not be bad idea to just think about possibly moving to IVF. In the meantime, why not talk with your doc about maybe changing drugs? Can't hurt right?? My friend is now pregnant with twins after second IUI using Lazatrol (close anyway). Hope this helps

[Rasha769]

10-70 because of age adn the fact of the biological clock (I hate that) I would say go for IVF right away. You produced two good follicles. With IVF they would be fertilized outside your uterus and their growth will be assessed before they are put in.  You can see if your eggs and hubby's sperms are creating good embies. Maybe with IVF you will have more than 2 follicles and hopefully more embryos to choose from, and pick the storngest, to transfer.
Good luck
I am 37 when i did IVF, it worked with just three embies transferred. One took and now i am pregnant. My FSH was 12.9

[usuk]

Very sorry about the BFN. I am just about 39 now. I got preg twice with Clomid but had MCs. Unexplained as well. My next step was injectibles. When you only have a 25% of conceiving under the best of circumstances, and then a large percentage of our eggs are not good at this age, it just lowers the odds exponentially. You just need to get more eggs in a month. So I would move on to injectibles with IUI. Take care and good luck.

[berrykkiss]

Hey sorry abt bfn. DID u do IUI or try naturally wid 100mg clomid? clomid wid IUI is more suitable. Also did u take it from days 5-9 I am asking since u produced 2 follies. I took 50mg last 2 months and i think i produced 1 cuz bfn both months. Since u r above 35 it is better not to delay as our eggs keep getting old by age. I really cant say anything cuz of the financial difficulties. Even I am waiting for my hubby to make some money and in the mean time trying to get pg naturally. Even my RE says i shd get preggo naturally as we both r still young he told us not to waste money and it will happen naturally so praying for that miracle this cycle. All the best wid what ever u decide to do...

[kris71]

I'm really sorry to hear about your news. I believe i am a day behind you in IUI and I also feel like this cycle didn't work for me. I produced 4 follicles. I may try testing tomorrow or tuesday if i am on the fence about AF approaching (my blood test is wed) However, I just feel like AF is approaching. Just my intuition and also after trying for over a year and half, i feel like i really know my body and the symptoms etc. I am also 38 and DH is 41 Anyway - how many IUI's have you had? My RE's approach for me was try 3 rounds of clomid/IUI and then move onto injectables. Maybe the injectables will give you more success?i heard you get more follicles with injectables - and on the flipside there is a high chance of multiples. i would try those before IVF. I know how frustrating and heart breaking this is. good luck.