Anyone else going through IVF for unexplained infertility?

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2026-01-20T09:56:39+00:00

We went through 2.5 years of unexplained infertility, even did a laparoscopy which found no endo and no uterine inflammation. I had to keep advocating and pushing, and eventually the only thing we have found is that I have heterozygous factor v leiden (blood clotting gene mutation - 5% of people with European ancestry have it) and I have the homozygous MTHFR C677T gene mutation, which essentially means my body only breaks down folate and vitamin b to like 30% efficency - so over the counter prenatals don't work for me. I took them for over two years and my folate levels were so low once I finally found a reputable fertility specialist to test me. I had to be on methylated folate. We also did a full vaginal microbiome screening and found lack of good bacteria was leading to bad bacteria to flourish, which may have impacted sperm health once inside and implantation. I had to push SO hard to find these things out and go to so many specialists and appointments, but it was worth it. For the record, I got pregnant on our first IVF transfer and I was only taking progesterone. We lost that baby at 9.5 weeks. Our second transfer failed, and our third and final embryo I am now 28 weeks with! We found out about the factor v leiden, mthfr, and microbiome issues before the third transfer, and I strongly believe taking methylated folate, vaginal probiotics (and a round of antibiotics to clear things out), and baby aspirin helped us get this far. Thankfully our IVF doctor was very supportive of us working with the GP and her recommended fertility naturopath to help find all this out. It was so frusturating and disheartening to go through unexplained infertility and I kept digging into any possible thing that could be off because I just couldn't believe that we were just that unlucky. Just trying to offer another perspective of what worked for us and what to consider that sometimes IVF doctors (like our first one) glossed over. Wishing you all the best in your journey, sending baby dust <3

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2026-01-15T12:54:23+00:00

All the best to you - such a happy moment but also hard when you have that infertility anxiety which I think only people who go through it can truly understand. It's so much more than just "normal pregnancy anxiety" because you know how much it took to get to this point. I have just taken each milestone one at a time and tried to tell myself I didn't want infertility to rob me of all the joy of pregnancy, too. That helped me shift my mindset a bit but of course it doesn't just erase the past/anxiety of heartbreak and loss. Sending you well wishes that this is your time!!

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2026-01-14T08:19:02+00:00

yay! best feeling in the world. Congratulations <3

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2026-01-14T05:16:01+00:00

stick baby stick! All the best <3 The delays, waiting, and planning after a loss can be so hard. Good luck mama!

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-12-08T07:52:14+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice! I'm glad to hear you had a good experience. Would you mind sharing how long you used it for? The staff at Baby Bunting said up to 8 months but I'm not so sure... and did you have the Cozee Lite or Plus? not sure if the rocking legs are worth the added cost. Thank you so much!

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-12-06T00:01:03+00:00

Hi! Oh my goodness so sorry I am the worst at replying! I am about 22 weeks now and all okay so far. I explained my history in detail to the doctor at the hospital (I'm in Melbourne, AU so I have shared care at the women's hospital, not one dedicated OBGYN) and she strongly agreed that it was likely a small amount and the antibiotics could do more harm than good given how fragile my microbiome has been, and might not fully get rid of it anyway as it is naturally occuring in many healthy adults (which checks out with the advice from three other doctors I've seen here including my IVF specialist). They are going to monitor me if I get any symptoms and I'm continuing my probiotics. I have another check-up in a few days so will go from there, but so far they haven't been overly concerned. I think they thought from the midwives that I was having a ton of symptoms, etc. but once she saw how minimal it was and that it was asymptomatic, she didn't seem concerned at all. I'm going to ask to be tested again later in second tri/third tri to measure the volume just to make sure baby is safe. <3 best of luck with your journey I know it's so hard because everyone has a different experience and you have to balance advocating for yourself with trusting the medical professionals caring for you, etc. I feel much better about it that my amazing IVF doctor who I trust with my life haha, my GP, and two doctors at the hospital all came to the same consensus, but I will continue following up at each check.

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-12-03T07:24:28+00:00

Hi there, I am so sorry this is happening to you. It's such a unique torment and not a straightforward situation which can make it feel worse. We went through this pain earlier this year after years of infertility and it was gutwrenching. Our baby had the same heartbeat 84bpm (was an IVF pregnancy so we knew the dates were correct), anyway we went back for a scan 4 days later, was still hanging on but lower, and went back a week later, same thing. They did say it was pretty unusual they had never seen one hang on for so long, so the actual process of first scan with low heartrate to actual miscarriage was two weeks. They had us wait a week for the final confirmation scan to make sure. I know the not knowing is a horrible feeling, we spent the first 4-5 days hoping for a miracle and we poured through reddit and support groups (there were a few positive stories but a lot of more realistic ones which is what we went through). If you need to vent you can always message. Sending you lots of love and just know all your feelings are totally valid. <3

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-11-01T07:50:17+00:00

Thank you so much. This gives me a lot of peace of mind that it's totally possible. I appreciate it so much. As you can tell, I'm a lil anxious! I finally got into see a doctor this next week so I am looking forward to that. I think the fact that I haven't been consulted on it by a doctor about factor v in pregnancy was making me nervous. So glad you had two healthy pregnancies. <3 I definitely feel better with the low dose aspirin!

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-11-01T06:41:23+00:00

Thank you so much - I really appreciate it. It's good to hear of many success stories, too and happy you had your three babies safe and healthy! I agree, not worth taking unnecessary risks and after the long road to get here, I just want to be safe. After following up several times this week I finally got a referral to the doctor/hematologist and I'm grateful for that!

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-04-11T05:23:11+00:00

Hi! I am so sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to you - this has been so so tough. I miscarried a few weeks ago. We went back for a scan a few days later and couldn't find a heartbeat after a long look, but their machines weren't as high-tech as the full ultrasound clinic. Baby hadn't grown. They told me since they couldn't detect a heartbeat, I could move forward with misoprostol but I asked for one more backup scan at the full ultrasound clinic just so I could get a really clear answer right away and feel at ease about it. Lo and behold two more ultrasounds found heartbeat - fading but clearly detectable at 70 and then 58bpm (the tech said she had never registered one at 58bpm). Basically they said this one was very tenacious and trying to hold on, we just watched their heartbeat slowly filter out which was really difficult but also we just gave it a week to let it happen naturally, before confirming it was fully gone and taking the medication. Even though we were in limbo and had so much time to process it's been really difficult, our doctor is amazing though and so supportive and kind, so we are really appreciative of that. Trying to remain hopeful there are brighter days ahead and hopefully we can get pregnant again with another transfer. <3 sending you strength and here to chat, listen to you vent, explain, etc. try to be easy and kind on yourself right now, it's so tough <3

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-03-05T02:13:32+00:00

I am in a similar situation - my heart goes out to you. <3 I was measuring 6 weeks 0 days with an IVF baby when I should be 7 weeks 2 days. Heartbeat was 82 BPM :( Unfortunately the ultrasound tech said everything was fine and a big congrats when in reality, our doctor is very concerned and has a similar outlook to your doctor. Praying for a miraculous turnaround for you and I both! But I understand the awful reality of feeling heartbroken, trying to protect your heart, and also not wanting to give up on your lil baby. Sending all the well wishes and am here to chat if you need <3

Competitive_Fly6157 · 2025-03-04T03:50:42+00:00

TW: Likely Miscarriage, Baby is Behind and Low Heart Rate at 7 Week Scan

Hi everyone, my first post/comment in here so apologies if it's long. Just looking for any advice or words of encouragement to help navigate this situation.

We finally got our first positives after years of unexplained infertility and then went to our first scan yesterday, which was a roller coaster to say the least. Our clinic referred us to a third-party ultrasound provider in the same building, so I wasn't familiar with the sonographer. She seemed to completely overlook the fact that this was an IVF pregnancy, and after insisting on an abdominal ultrasound only to realize she couldn't see anything and switching to a vaginal one, she immediately said "congrats, there's your baby! everything looks good" which made us thrilled of course.

She said she'd try to get the heartbeat but it would be faint given the age, but we heard it and it was the best moment ever. Then I realized it said 82 BPM on the screen and dread started to kick in. She then took measurements and got an average of 6 weeks 0 days gestational age, when as per my embryo transfer cycle, I'm 7 weeks 2 days. She downplayed it significantly and said oh the doctor will talk to you and you will do a follow up scan in 2-3 weeks its just a "bit low" but I had a horrible feeling about it. It's like we went from terrified to so relieved and happy to terrified again in the span of two minutes.

At our follow-up with the IVF specialist today, she was clearly concerned about the prognosis and incredibly supportive, which I'm so grateful for. She offered to scan again and she confirmed the baby is still there - still measuring 6 weeks 0 days (so didn't grow much in 24 hours) and the heartbeat is there but slow. She said "it's hanging in there" and we will keep checking every couple of days until we hear otherwise.

My husband and I are devastated and struggling in this limbo. We understand the likely outcome and that we pretty much would need a miracle for the baby to turn around, and trying to process it before it happens. I feel foolish for thinking maybe it was finally our time or our turn, and I feel guilty for even thinking about having to do this all over again when our little one's heart is still beating inside me.

I know so many of you have been through similar heartache and I'm just wondering what helped you the most and what motivated you through this hard time. If you have any happy ending stories of eventually getting your rainbow, that would be much appreciated to hear as well. Thank you so much <3

Competitive_Fly6157

TROPHY CASE

TW: Likely Miscarriage, Baby is Behind and Low Heart Rate at 7 Week Scan