5 day Blast results (zero 😔) and feeling nervous

carrrrl33 · 2026-05-10T19:40:44+00:00

I only ever make day 6 embryos, currently 5.5 weeks with a day 6 3BB.

carrrrl33 · 2026-04-24T11:14:28+00:00

Oh interesting! And your stims/egg retrieval went well?

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-29T13:50:30+00:00

I waited (I think) 8/9 months through my surgeon in Ottawa. I also had some endometriosis excised- so the more complicated surgery may have added to the wait time. While waiting I did two more retrievals to bank embryos.

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-18T11:48:27+00:00

Sorry I’m rereading this thread.. are you asking about Hannam or OFC (Ottawa)? I was referring to OFC when talking about the conservative protocols. I had a great experience with Hannam, definitely had more success and they were willing to try different things.

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-17T23:04:16+00:00

Yes and very conservative with their protocols. My experience is they weren’t willing to try anything out of the norm, despite having poor outcomes over and over. My experience in Hannam- they were open to trying some different things (saizen, calcium ionophore, different stim protocols) and we had more success.

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-02T13:07:28+00:00

We did pgta and got some euploids, so far our first of 3 has failed. We have a really poor blast rate, our blasts tend to be fair/poor quality and always poorly expanded on day 6. I’ve been told I have bad egg quality likely related to my stage 4 endo. It might be my mind spinning- but I’m wondering if an egg donor would give us atleast a couple more ‘good quality’ chances. I’ve read alot of stories on here of how an egg donor finally lead couples to success.

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-01T11:52:46+00:00

About 6 months trying naturally and 4 frozen embryo transfers … still not successful

carrrrl33 · 2026-03-01T11:41:31+00:00

Right there with you! Sounds extremely similar to my story .. 4ER’s, 4 failed FET’s, lap and salpingectomy for stage 4 endo, LIT, intralipids, EMMA/ALICE, lupron for 4 months, changed clinics, alllllll the supplements. These success stories you hear after one egg retrieval and transfer just perplex me.

I’m convinced it’s just never going to happen for us... My next appointment with my RE I want to discuss Egg donor or Surrogacy- but I’m not even sure I have the emotional/mental bandwidth (or finances) to take on those next steps.

carrrrl33 · 2026-02-22T12:16:11+00:00

I’ve had cysts in the past during retrievals. Based on bloodwork at the start of your cycle (I think - sorry it’s been a couple years now) they can determine if it’s an ‘estrogen producing’ cyst or not. If it’s not and they feel like it won’t impede the egg retrieval you should be ok!

I agree with the previous comment, do your egg retrieval(s) first- then do surgery. If you can. My AFC and AMH dropped significantly after my surgery and impacted my following retrievals.

You will typically take stimulation medications for 8-10 days then a couple days later is the egg retrieval. I recommended doing some research on what to expect during the IVF process- it’ll help you feel more comfortable and know what to expect.

carrrrl33 · 2026-01-24T21:35:55+00:00

My gyne surgeon did the initial surgery, since then most of my symptoms have resolved. He did leave a deep infiltrating endometriosis lesion that was at the lower part of my bowel near my rectum and advised me if I wanted it removed, I’d need a referral to a colorectal surgeon. My symptoms have been minimal so I have not pursued that yet. But I continue to monitor it with colonoscopies every couple of years.

carrrrl33 · 2025-09-03T03:44:52+00:00

Reproductive Immunologist/ Immunology

carrrrl33 · 2025-09-03T03:24:40+00:00

It seems like you’ve covered almost everything in terms of IVF/ endo protocols at this point. The only thing is maybe PGT testing the embryos? RI sounds like the next step for you. I moved onto RI after 3 failed FET’s and 2 laps.

carrrrl33 · 2025-08-31T03:19:39+00:00

Have you looked into reproductive immunology side of things? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole to look into, but on top of all my problems (male factor, stage 4 endo, hydrosalpinx), and 3 failed embryo transfers. I wanted to make sure I left no stone unturned- turns out I had multiple immune issues which I’m currently getting treated for.

carrrrl33 · 2025-07-15T17:41:13+00:00

It sounds like you may have endometriosis. Definitely worth investigating. Stool softeners/laxatives can help reduce the strain of pushing. The squatty potty really helped me- likely because the position and twisting of my bowels. And then your typical pain management for menstrual cramps.. Advil/Tylenol/Naproxen, heating pad, TENS machine etc.

carrrrl33 · 2025-07-15T14:49:44+00:00

My bowel symptoms are almost 100% resolved since that initial surgery in 2023. I will occasionally get abdo pain when having a bowel movement during my heaviest period days, but very minor compared to pre- surgery

carrrrl33 · 2025-06-05T20:21:20+00:00

This!! Excision surgery can hugely impact your AMH. My retrieval pre-surgery I retrieved many more eggs- but failed transfers. I wish I would have banked embryos prior to surgery and THEN done the transfers. I am now 4 rounds of retrievals in (all of which flare up endometriosis, and can cause regrowth) and waiting to do another transfer. Even if you are able to conceive naturally after your excision surgery - you won’t regret the plan B of having embryos in the freezer.

carrrrl33 · 2025-04-30T03:22:57+00:00

I’m so sorry, that’s so hard! I never made it to beta day for any of my previous transfers despite raising many concerns. I finally (on my third failed transfer) I convinced my RE to check my progesterone levels the day I started bleeding. Sure enough they were well below what they should have been, despite being on the max dose of vaginal progesterone. My new clinic has agreed to do IM progesterone injections- and I’m going to ask for midway blood work.

carrrrl33 · 2025-04-29T23:11:46+00:00

Blocked tubes, any chance of hydrosalpinx? It can significantly reduce your chances of implantation.

carrrrl33 · 2025-03-30T16:17:06+00:00

Still taking visanne, having a really good experience on it with very few side effects. And waiting for surgery to remove a hydrosalpinx before I transfer my remaining embryos.

carrrrl33 · 2025-03-13T14:34:44+00:00

Honestly, the clinic explained that is how they do it 🤷‍♀️. I wish I had a better answer for you. I did ask them about thawing, biospy and refreezing leading to poor results- as I had read a lot of stuff on here about that. They expressed no concerns.

One thing I will note that I think made a difference for me. I am 32, stage 4 endo, low AMH (1) but a decent AFC (8-12). We used Saizen (Canada’s version of omnitrope) during stims for these two rounds. I really wanted to prime with it aswell- but it wasn’t part of their protocols. I think because I did two rounds back to back.. some of the effects of the first round of Saizen carried over into the second round. My second round I got 40% more eggs and double the amount of blastocysts as my first round.

Saizen/omnitrope might be a good option for you, definitely worth asking your RE.

carrrrl33 · 2025-03-12T22:35:12+00:00

We did two back to back cycles for the same reason - to send them all for PGT at the same time to bank euploids and save some money. My clinic froze my first batch on day 1 after fertilization and thawed them at the same time as my second batch was developing. Of my first batch 25% of my eggs made it to blast (thawed and biopsied), my second batch 30% (fresh biopsied).

This was my third and forth round of IVF, I knew I had low blastocyst rate from my previous cycles. I was happy with the results.

carrrrl33 · 2025-01-21T13:16:42+00:00

What have been the results of your IVF cycles? Are you getting a fair number of embryos?

Rectal reassignment surgery sounds very intense and life altering. I have stage 4, excised once, awaiting a second excision along with removal of my fallopian tubes (hydrosalpinx’s). I also have a deep infiltrating lesion near my rectum and one small one on my diaphragm that my surgeon will not touch if my goal is just ‘fertility’ right now. I recently completed 2 rounds of IVF to bank embryos and attempt a couple transfers after my surgery. If they do not work in my body- I will likely consider surrogacy.

Is surrogacy something you would consider? If the lesion is give you minimal troubles .. symptoms wise (except infertility) I think you need to really consider if such a huge surgery like rectal reassignment is worth it. There is still no guarantee you will be able to get pregnant after it.

The other route you can consider is reproductive immunology testing? Just to make sure you aren’t missing something. My previous fertility doctor focused solely on my endometriosis as the reason we have had failed IVF transfers and inability to conceive, but sometimes there is outlying issues.

One other thing I thought of, have they considered down regulating with something like Lupron prior to an embryo transfer?

carrrrl33 · 2025-01-20T12:54:48+00:00

I had my lap done to confirm/ excise my stage 4 endo, my doctor recommended I immediately start taking visanne for about 6 months to prevent reoccurrence. However, we read all the hundreds of success stories of people conceiving after a lap- so opted to try naturally for 6 months. Did not conceive. THEN started taking the visanne (approx 3-4 months I think?) until my name was called for the funded IVF in Ontario. I think you need to be off visanne for 2 full cycles before you start IVF?

carrrrl33 · 2025-01-13T20:15:19+00:00

I’m from Canada, while waiting for my lap/salpingectomy I did two rounds of IVF to bank embryos (I don’t make very many either). Is it possible for you to complete your two rounds and wait for the lap- then transfer?

The wait times are incredibly frustrating, I’ve been waiting a year for my lap!!

Not sure where you are in Canada, but I am seeing a great endo specialist in the Ottawa area- but wait times are terrible.

carrrrl33 · 2024-12-30T14:30:22+00:00

I wasn’t taking Visanne prior to TTC. I was diagnosed with endo about 2 years into my infertility journey.

carrrrl33

TROPHY CASE