donor eggs

[Mary61]

Hi, I have been TTC for the past six years now with the help of various fertility doctors/clinics.  I am 48 years old.  My now fertility doctor told me that my chances would be excellent, a good 70% chance that I would concieve using donor eggs.  I have been told that I have a healthy uterus equivilant of a 35-year old.  Well, my husband and I tried twice now with two different donors, ages 21 & 24.  Neither of them worked.  My doctor told me that it was probably becuase the eggs were not of good quality.  This is what I don't understand.  They were young donors and I was told that because they were young, their eggs would be good. Each time we transferred 3 embryos.  The first were day 3 grade 1's and the second time were day 3, grade 2, 6-cell embryos.  I have 5 frozen embryos left and I don't want to try again until I find out what the "problem" is.  My question is this; what on earth could be the problem, and what can I do different to get a positive outcome on my next IVF? Do you think that maybe if we did a day-5 embryo transfer it might make a difference? Can a day-5 embryo transfer still be done with frozen embryos? Also, are there any tests out there that I can have done to find out if my body is rejecting the embryos or if my vaginal environment is too acidic for my husbands sperm? Thank You for your help.  Greatly appreciated.
Mary61

[Mary61]

Hi, thank you for your help.  I have a few more questions if you don't mind.  My doctor wants to do a hysterescopy.  He suspects that something is not right with my uterus, and also that it might be an immunological factor.  He said that when they did ultrasound there were some "shiny" white spots on the lining of my uterus.  He said he can't tell what they are until I have the hysterescopy done.  I'm now afraid in case it's cervical cancer or something.  As far as accupuncture goes, yes, I've tried it each and every time but I guess it didn't help much.  Can embryos still be brought to day-5 after they were frozen?  I will mention the PGD to my doctor and see what he says.  I forgot to mention that I also have Raynauds's Syndrome and Hypothyroid.  My doctor has put me on baby aspirin, thyroid medication, Vit E-400IU,and Materna.  He said he is also going to have me take a few different medications before and after the transfer.  After seeing 5-6 different doctors throuhout 6 years of trying I can say that I am happy with this one.  He is one of the best in the city.  Two of our friends had successful pregnancies through him.  Well, I hope everything goes well the next round.
Thank You Again,
Mary61

[Mary61]

Hi, thank you for responding.  It has been extremely difficult for my husband and I with all of this.  We have been at it now for the past six years and have gone through maybe 5-6 different doctors.  We are now with one of the best doctors in our city here and two of our friends have had success with him.  I'm afraid that my case might be more difficult due to my health, I guess.  I have Raynaud's syndrome which is a circulatory and immunological disorder.  My doctor thinks that the failed IVF's I've done might have to do with an immunological factor.  He wants me to have a hysteroscopy done.  I don't mind, I just don't want him telling me that my uterus is in bad health and that I would need to use a surrogate mother (something that defeits the purpose).  I am already using donor eggs but I want to be the  one carrying the baby.  I'm so afraid of the doctor finding cancer of the cervix or something.  I know I'm talking crazy but truly, I haven't had much luck in life and not much seems to go my way.  I don't know why he didn't do a 5-day transfer.  I will ask him that next time I see him.
Thank You Ladies for your support.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The biggest factor in IVF success is egg quality.  Two ways to select embryos which are higher quality are:  transfer day 5 blasts--if the embryos survive to day 5, they are much more likely to implant and develop.  2) PGD--a process in which the embryos are biopsied to determine if their chromosomes are normal. You could do either or both of these options
You are on the right track with the young donors--usually under 30 is optimal.
If you were my patient, I would also go full guns on improving your success by treating you with low dose aspirin, lovenox, and solumedrol.  One other thing to STRONGLY consider, if you haven't done so yet, is accupuncture.  It is fairly well recognized in the literature that accupuncture improves blood flow to the pelvic organs and improves IVF success.
There are some doctors ( Dr Zouves GoIVF.com ) that are specialists in more difficult cases.
Finally, you could also look into embryo donation as an option, or a surrogate if all else fails.
Good luck!
Dr B

[Zoe2B]

I'm also so sorry to hear all that you and oyur husband have gone through. This road we are on is so challenging and painful. My suggestion would be to get a consult with another RE. There are so many different opinions on treatment out there, that it can only help to see what another doc would recommend you do at this point.
Our doc did a 4 day transfer. Some do 3, some do 5. We went with our doc because of excellant referrals from other patients, and then reading up on his experience and protocal, etc. It's great that you have 5 frozen embryos. Frozen cycles have great success rates, because in the thawing the 'bad' embryos don't make it, leaving only the strongest ones to transfer. Good luck!!!!

[Ready_2_be]

I am sorry you are dealing with this, you have gone through alot! I am not a doctor I am just brainstorming with you here. I too am going through donor egg IVF.
Do you know why your doctor did not wait until 5 days of development to start with, before freezing?
I wish you good luck on this, Please let me know what you have found out.