Currently gearing up for our embryo transfer that is scheduled for 8 Dec with a test on 21 Dec.

Would love to fill the time with a little trip away but we don’t have the money for that right now. Looking for ideas of other things we can do to keep busy/pass the time.

Hi all, my partner (34F) and I (36M) just finished our first IVF cycle in Poland and we're trying to make sense of everything.

Background:
- AMH 1.89, AFC 9
- Heterozygous Factor V Leiden (on enoxaparin)
- About a year trying before IVF: 2 failed IUIs, 1 chemical pregnancy
- My semen analysis is now normal

The cycle:
- Gonal-F 225, antagonist protocol, Ovitrelle trigger
- 8 mature eggs, 3 of them with SER discs. Embryologist described the eggs as soft and dark
- 5 fertilized with ICSI
- Result: 1 blastocyst BL4BB on day 6 (frozen, no SER), 1 blastocyst with no inner cell mass, 3 arrested before compaction and heavily fragmented

Endometrial biopsy (taken on retrieval day, flow cytometry immunophenotyping):
- CD138+ cells: 3.3% (ref 0.4–3.5%)
- B cells CD20+: 9.9% (ref 0–5%)
- T cells CD3+: 73.8% (ref 18–52%)
- CD4:CD8 ratio: 1.7 (ref 0.5–1.1)
- Tregs: 8.7% (ref 1.5–8.5%)
- uNK CD16+: 24.6% (ref 0–30%)
- Lab noted the sample had low cellularity

Our doctor diagnosed chronic endometritis plus an immune issue. The plan is a consult with the clinic's immunologist, then antibiotics once the Endobiome (uterine microbiome) results are back, then a frozen transfer.

My questions:
1. Has anyone been diagnosed with CE when CD138 was within range? Did you get a standard IHC biopsy to confirm, or a re-biopsy after antibiotics?
2. Is a biopsy taken on retrieval day, during a stimulated cycle, considered reliable?
3. Anyone with SER oocytes or arrested embryos in a first cycle: was your second retrieval different? Did changing the protocol help?
4. With only one embryo, would you do another retrieval to bank more before transferring?
5. If you were offered immune treatment for a profile like this, what was it and how did it go?

Thanks for reading. This sub has already helped us a lot.

Este tmbn

i get the impression my clinic doesn’t order receptiva too often. I just had a failed transfer and asked for one. Yesterday I had to sign the order sheet and they checked CD138 with beta interferin 3. They did not order bcl6.

the girl who filled out the form is a newer medical assistant so i just question if it was filled out right.

If you had receptiva for endometriosis do you know which lab was checked?

thank you!!

Just need reassurance from someone who understands. We're about to start our 2nd round of IVF this weekend and I'm finding myself more scared this time. They retrieved 6 eggs last time, 4 were mature, 3 fertilized correctly, and 3 became blastocysts. 1 AB and 2 AA. Unfortunately, all 3 were aneuploid.

My husband and I have more hope this time - I've been on CoQ10 since June now. But I'm finding myself really scared to try again, almost to the point where I want to cancel. But I know I would kick myself if I did.

Just looking for reassurance and support. TIA.

I would love to know how folks with failed transfers coped with the stress of the next. My first double embryo transfer (day 3, untested) failed, and now I feel silly for ever expecting it to work. I’m beginning to realize that there is no guarantee that I will have a baby next year (which is what I desperately wanted), or ever. Any advice on how to deal with these negative thoughts would be very much appreciated.
For what it’s worth, based on my HCG my doctor thinks it was a very early biochemical pregnancy and is going to put me on intralipids and aspirin for the next FET. I breifly felt better after this conversation, because at least we have a plan. But now I’m convinced that this will probably make no difference, and I’m still as far away from a baby as I was when we first started TTC.
I apologise for the negativity, and thank you all so much in advance for the advice 💜

Looking to talk to someone who has recently been on REK in Toronto? Where is cheapest place to buy it in the city? Thanks

Just had my second ER yesterday. Was very happy with the numbers, especially compared to my first cycle. My maturity rate unfortunately didn't improve much, but I ended up with twice as many mature eggs and three times as many fertilized embryos!

Now waiting to see how many make it to blastocyst and eventually PGT-A. Trying to stay cautiously optimistic after getting 0 euploids last cycle.

Anyone with similar numbers willing to share how many of their fertilized embryos made it to blast? Also, any tips on increasing maturity rate? (SGF says they don't prescribe Omnitrope).

Cycle 1 (September): 8 retrieved → 4 mature (50%) → 2 fertilized → 1 Day-6 blast → 0 euploids

Cycle 2 (October): 15 retrieved → 8 mature (53%) → 6 fertilized (75%)! 

What changed:

• Baseline AFC increased from 8 to 13.
• Same starting doses: Follistim 300 IU + Menopur 300 IU.
• Provera replaced Ganirelix.
• Dual trigger (Lupron + Pregnyl) instead of Pregnyl alone.
• Added Tru Niagen, Omega 3's (1000mg), DHA 25mg
• Acupuncture treatments

Looking for experiences and opinions, because I’m frustrated and the plan from my clinic is unclear.

Timeline
Egg retrieval 9/15
Period/bleeding 9/20
Started next cycle 10/15. Clinic said it didn’t look like I’d ovulate, so I started stims
After about 7 days of stims, it turned out I wouldovulate, so they stopped the meds
They then started oral estrogen once daily. My E2 was 1186 on stims right before I started the pill
Went in for ultrasound today: ovaries are already enlarged and have larger follicles already developed from the stims

Today’s labs
FSH 1.24
LH 1.94
Progesterone 1.49
Estradiol 412

Background: AMH 3.24, strong responder to stims. My doctor’s stated goal with the estrogen was a larger cohort of same-sized follicles. My goal is another retrieval. I had 15 retrieved follicles last cycle but only 9 fertilized
What I’m guessing: They’ll have me stop estrogen so I can bleed, then do a baseline scan and restart stims. But I don’t have a clear cycle plan and no one has told me what they’re waiting for. I’ll talk to them later today but I am frustrated.
Questions for you:
Has anyone had stims interrupted and then restarted in the same cycle, or been on estrogen with follicles already developed? What did your clinic do?
After stopping estrogen, how long did it take you to bleed, and how long until you could restart stims?
Did anyone get a random-start instead of waiting for a bleed?
Does estrogen priming make sense for a strong responder, especially when it’s started after stims have already begun? Or is that a reasonable thing to feel frustrated about?
What questions would you ask your care team to get a clear “if X, then Y” plan?

Thanks in advance. Any experiences or thoughts are welcome.

Have been trying to do my first ER. My plan is for my husband to have Micro-TESE done, given an undiagnosed azoospermia issue. (Ultrasound, hormone and genetic tests all clear). We have told the clinic staff many times, when coordinating timelines. They keep mentioning him giving Fresh sample day before my ER, despite us telling them issues scheduling his procedure with his Urologist. I just paid $100 for my baseline appointment, only to be told afterwards " oh he hasn't done the procedure and can't give a fresh sample? Guess we should wait a month" you'd think they put somewhere in the notes that my husband is also needing a procedure and it has to happen before my ER. Now all my hopes of starting are pushed a month. Does anyone have experience with staff not considering the husband and only talking to the woman and that messing things up? I'm just so disappointed it has been yanked from under me this month. I'm sick of doing these LH strips.

Yes I know that the general recommendation is to wait one year if under 35.

Institut Marques in Barcelona made me wait 2 months for a consultation took all of my personal information and medical records and made me think treatment was imminent and then POOF disappeared for the last 5 weeks. I am honestly flabbergasted to hear such great reviews. This does not seem like a thing you should really mess around with, this is peoples lives and family planning! I have had some pretty poor experiences with other clinics abroad and stateside as well. I’m starting to feel that this field is a racket and patients are only seen as dollar signs.

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share a quick update and hopefully connect with others who are going through this right now.

(Trigger Warning)

We just finished our retrieval! We got 19 eggs, 17 mature, 13 fertilized, and ended up with 8 blasts. After PGT-A, we have 7 euploid embryos.(4 boys &3 girls).

Honestly, the relief is huge, but now the anxiety for the next step is kicking in. Looks like we’ll be starting transfer prep with my next cycle. (Which is midst of nov)

Is anyone else currently waiting for their transfer or starting around next month? My DMs are open if anyone wants to chat, vent, or just support each other through the wait. Wishing everyone the absolute best on their journeys! 🌸

i had an egg retrieval sept 15 and a period five days later. I was supposed to be doing a mid cycle start two weeks ago (October 15). My clinic told me it didn’t lookkkk like I was going to ovulate and started me on stims for almost a week. Then it turns out I would be ovulating (started my ganirelix too late) and they had me immediately start estrogen for what has now been one week.

I went in for my ultrasound today and the tech said I still have some big left over follicles from the canceled cycle (which was only canceled a week ago) and the others are really small. It seems like I will again not be starting stims since my ovaries are still large and I still have the large follicles left from starting stims. they’ll probably take me off the estrogen so I can have a period. I’m so frustrated by my care team. It feels like they’re winging it.

I’m so upset right now. I have several tested embryos that were made earlier this year. I’ve been talking to my clinic for months saying that I was planning a November FET. In September, my husband booked a trip to Mexico in October for our wedding anniversary and I called the clinic to discuss timelines knowing that the holidays (Thanksgiving) can be difficult for scheduling an FET. In my chat over the phone they said I had plenty of time and to go enjoy myself.

There’s a checklist of work that needs to be done before they schedule you which I had been working on and on October 10, I sent a message in the portal saying I’m almost done with this. Just want make sure we’re on track for November. Got back a generic response saying here’s what’s left of your checklist,which I already told them in the note that I knew those two things needed to be completed but no response about timeline. Fast-forward we get back from our trip I finish everything so I’m ready for my scheduling call and they informed me that they are fully scheduled for the rest of the year and then I cannot do one until January! I’ve already pushed this longer than I wanted to and I’m extremely frustrated that in my attempts to contact and speak with them about clear timelines, they didn’t say anything about filling up, or needing finish my checklist sooner so I can get on the schedule. I talked to the doctor yesterday and their options are I can do a medicated cycle in December which I do not want to do and don’t need to do or I can get on birth control pills, which unfortunately have a terrible reaction to and hope that someone drops out!

I’ve written a strongly worded note today that I think they should make further accommodations to try to fit me in or at least give me an idea of the likelihood that they can fit me in before the end of the year if someone dropping out and staying on birth control pills, but I’m not sure if this is a good idea or not what would you do?

brand new gonal-f 900u never opened
has been kept refrigerated
i also have several other medications including PIO and menopur and leuprolide

Hi all,
I have my FET scheduled for next month with a Day 3 embryo.

For those who got pregnant with a Day 3 embryo, how was your early pregnancy journey? Did you face any issues with beta hCG levels, scans, baby’s heartbeat, or any chromosomal abnormalities?

Would love to hear your experiences, especially any challenges you faced and how things progressed.

Thanks in advance! ❤️

Does anyone have an idea as to why this could happen or if there's any reasoning behind it?

2024: AMH was 2.6

2025: AMH was 2.6 again

2026: AMH is 3.3

I just turned 37 a few weeks ago for reference.

​

Good morning! I’m 36F and currently undergoing egg freezing at CREA clinic in Valencia, Spain. However, I’ve found it strange that after two cycles, I’ve retrieved more than 12 eggs each time (14 in the first cycle and 12 in the second), but only 5 were mature in the first cycle and 3 in the second. When I read posts in this forum, I generally see people saying that around 70% of the eggs retrieved are mature, so my results seem unusual to me. I’m not sure whether I should stick with this clinic or try another one, such as IVI or others. I need to freeze more eggs, as my doctor told me that having only 8 frozen eggs is not enough.

What would you do in my situation? Would you stay with the same clinic or consider getting a second opinion elsewhere?

Hey y'all, very new here and just getting started on our IVF journey. We live in the Boston area and are contemplating specialists and clinics. We get 2 initial consults with our Progyny coverage and we're considering using both to see who we like better before making a final decision. I've been leaning towards seeing Dr. Ryniec or Zimon at CCRM, Dr. berger at everleap, or Dr. Plante at FCNE and was hoping y'all could let me know how you feel about the clinic you use, your specialist and what brought you to them. For background, were 30f &37m with no known fertility issues, I do have Huntington's disease so we are specifically looking for the best lab and specialist for PGT-M. TIA!

For Twin Cities, MN pick up only. All medications are unopened.

I have 3 gonal-f pens (900 units total, includes needles, boxes unopened)

3 cetrotide kits

2 vials of 75u of menopur (and the q caps/syringes to go with it)

Would love to gift this so someone who is paying out of pocket!

I truly underestimated how clueless so many otherwise intelligent people are about human reproduction until I started this process. I told a dear friend I was starting IVF and he was super sweet about it which I totally appreciated… and then A WEEK later he texted me „Any luck yet? :)“ I hadn’t even started preparing my first egg retrieval!! Apparently some men think women just go to the doctor and get a pregnancy shot or something? Then another male friend asked me after I was 7 months into the process „So when do you know if it’s working?“ I‘m like, IVF isn’t an antidepressant, you don’t gradually start becoming more and more pregnant the longer you do it!

Anyway, can anyone relate? Or is it just me and my friend group? Honestly I appreciate their support, I just didn’t realize I would need to explain menstrual cycles to 40-year-old men!

(Added a humor tag because my own examples are lighthearted but I’m interested to hear any flavor of weird comments!)

Hi everyone! Well, after becoming incredibly frustrated with AI platforms (which kept insisting that the most likely outcome was that I would never get pregnant again), I found something here, in all your stories, that I had been needing for a long time: validation.

I started trying to conceive in 2019 and began seeking help after a year. I had a very low AMH, along with thrombophilia issues, diffuse endometriosis, and what appears to be possible uterine contractility issues. In total, I went through 4 IVF cycles and 4 frozen embryo transfers before we realised we would need to switch to donor eggs. The first attempt failed, and the second resulted in my daughter, who is now two and a half.

We’re now trying for a second child. The first transfer was far from optimal. I had only very recently stopped breastfeeding, my BMI was extremely low, and our nights were still chaotic. My beta was 2.1 and already declining. We then had corrective hysteroscopy.

Since then, we’ve had two more treatment cycles, both resulting in beta hCG levels below 1. We currently have 3 embryos left, and we’re about to move forward with a natural-cycle transfer, using Lovenox, corticosteroids, atosiban, and progesterone. We’re throwing everything we have at this.

But the truth is that, even though they’ve found a few things along the way, nothing really explains the repeated failures. My endometrium has a good thickness and a trilaminar pattern, and I’m still menstruating regularly. In my mind, donor egg treatment worked so easily the first time around, and it’s absolutely killing me to feel like I’m back in that place where nothing ever seems to work, without knowing where to turn next.

I’m coming here looking for stories from women who have been through the same thing and who have eventually made it to the other side. We’re at a point where we still believe it will eventually happen, but finding ourselves on the wrong side of the statistics with donor eggs has been incredibly difficult...

Does anyone have more stories to share from people who have been through something similar, or are going through the same thing? ❤️

Hey all!!

Anyone been in a similar situation, when I was 26 I had tubal ligation. I was in an extremely abusive relationship with one child and felt like it was my only option to not have another. Flash forward 10 years and I am happily married to a man with no children. We want to have a baby or two but I am so nervous of IVF process. Anyone been in a similar situation and would like to share their story? Thank you in advance.

Yesterday we found out that our transfer was unsuccessful. This is our third round of IVF. Our first round was successful and I am forever grateful for that as we have a beautiful 2 year old son. I just don't understand how the last 2 transfers were unsuccessful. The doctor said we were in perfect health, everything was great and the odds were on our side, even greater since our first round was a success. Now I'm sitting here, defeated, devastated and lost as that was our last "normal" embryo and our last chance at adding to our family. I guess it's just hard for me to grasp that we're officially done, and watching her throw away her medication schedule and tell me "I guess we can sell our baby stuff now" really killed me. Going to be hard but I need to accept it. End rant.

Since the nosy assistant of my gyn asked, I told her some more details of my "journey" and got hit with my favourite bingo "I know these patients, they transferred because they were done, they had given up. And now they have two children!". Just to close with "the mental side is important". Guess Im just doing another thing wrong then, thanks. I regret having talked to her, I already hadnt liked her selfserving curiosity, way out of line. But that's not the point for now.

In fact I hear that bingo so often. Almost every time I confide in someone that Im doing IVF. Right behind "have you considered adoption?".

I know a couple that tell this story, too. When you dig deeper they say, they were not done, just very defeated and taking a break but they would have in fact tried again. So not really given up.

But since I'm very tired and defeated, my question is: is there something to it? Some magic release that makes my body make a child? If not: what are your favourite answers to that bingo?

Edit: thanks my ladies. Your comments helped a lot 🙏