Miscarriage after IVF

[Bilby]

Hi all, I am 40 years old and had my first IVF cycle in July. Amazingly, I fell pregnant. In terms of conceiving my only problem is age - the reason we ended up on the IVF merry-go-round was my husband's low fertility. Anyway, all was well at the 7.5 week scan but on the routine 10 week scan the fetus had died.
Needless to say we are absolutely devastated. My husband is certain that given that I fell pregnant once on IVF it is certain to happen again. I just don't share his optimism.
I guess what I'm wanting to ask all you amazing ladies out there who survive IVF cycle after cycle, or who have conceived naturally at age 40, what do you think? If I had one good cycle at age 40, based on your own experiences, is it likely that I'll have another good cycle or could that one cycle have been just good luck?

[infinity]

Bilby,

I am so sorry for your loss, it is heartbreaking and devastating. The exact same thing happened to us and I understand how much it hurts

You responded so well on your first cycle there is probably no reason why you wont respond as well on a subsequent cycle. I do believe there is a bit of luck involved in this game, and that it wasn't necessarily good luck that you had a good first cycle, just horribly bad luck you lost your precious bubba.

There are quite a few of us in the same boat as you, if you haven't already, come and join us in the LTTTC forums, there is also a forum specifically for older ladies TTC too.

I wish you all the best with your journey, hoping you will find the strength to keep trying, in the meantime take care of yourself.

[Where there's hope]

Bilby

Firstly, I am truly very sorry for your loss. Infinity raises a very good point about you responding well to your first cycle. This is often considered an experimental cycle as they don't know how each person will respond to the stims. Did you get any frozen embies?

Just wanted to share a little of my story to let you know there is hope out there for you. I suffered four naturally conceived MC's at age 37 and 38. Two of these were confirmed to be caused by spontaneous chromosonal problems (another was a chemical PG so too early to test and another unsolved). I learned that 50% of MC's are believed to be caused by chromsonal errors, and this percentage increases with age. So while I was able to conceive naturally, we turned to IVF so we could have PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis, easier understood as chromosonal screening) performed on our Day 5 blasts. Our second transfer was a success and I am due any day at age 39.

The reason I am sharing this is that because you are having IVF anyway (due to your husband's low fertility), this may be an option for you to add to the IVF-mix. It certainly has given me peace of mind this time around.

to you. I completely understand how difficult this has been for you. There are some great forums here on BB, such as those mentioned and also the TTC after MC and Loss thread where you will find much like-minded support.

WTH x

[murraycod]

Bilby I'm sorry for your heartbreak
I'm only 29, but I read your post and just wanted to say sorry that you are going through such a hard time.

I hope things work out for you X
And pray that if you have the strength to try again, we are all here for you.

[entreat]

Sorry for your heart breaking loss.

But I wanted to echo the above comments, and wish you a big truck-load of encouragement, even when you feel low (especially when you feel low).

Xx

[Bilby]

Thanks so much ladies for all all of your support, encouragement and words of wisdom. You all really have given me some hope back!!!
I am certainly going to consider the PGD "Where There's Hope". Given ny age, genetic aberrations are a high risk, and if I can eliminate that then it really would take a lot of the risk and worry away from the whole business, so thanks a lot for that advice. It's wonderful news that after 4 miscarriages (!!!!! I cannot imagine how you found the strength to keep going!!!) you are due any day! Congratulations!!
Thanks again all of you, I appreciate your replies very much.

[megsmum]

Oh Bilby, I'm so very sorry for your loss How very devastating for you and your DH.

I have had 2 confirmed miscarriages, the 1st at 5 weeks was conceived naturally. The second was Clomid assisted - a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. I was crushed

Anyway, we ended up doing IVF because I was subsequently found to have weird hormonal levels happening after my m/c. After a few IUI's my FS recommended
IVF as a last resort. Our 1st IVF cycle was cancelled due to no response. On our second one, we got only one egg on the maximum dose of FSH. And what do you know that little egg fertilised and is now a little 8 week old bub asleep on my shoulder.

There is always hope hun, as long as you are producing eggs. It truly only does take one, my DD is living proof!

All the very best of luck to you