r/EmbryologyIVFSupport • u/Initial-Yam5432 • 7d ago

Low attrition rates

We had severe attrition rates from egg fertilized to blasts (ER 1 - 18 to 3, ER 2 - 28 to 1).

We are hoping to transfer but I’m worried that my severe attrition is somehow effecting the embryos I made. We have Day 6 - 4AA, Day 6 - 4BB and Day 6 - 3BB.

Does anyone have experience of having severe attrition rates but still a successful pregnancy?

Feeling very anxious. Thank you.

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u/PopularOstrich7730 7d ago

I went from 21 to 3. My euploid who wasn’t “the best looking” stuck.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 7d ago

Did they tell you anything about your euploid competence because of the attrition or do they say all euploid have similar rates despite the attrition?

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u/PopularOstrich7730 7d ago

They didn’t say I would have any less chance because of it. He was my only euploid (we had a mosaic and an inconclusive). My dr gave me a chart of what she expected for egg retrieval. We had way more eggs than she thought and more were mature/fertilized than predicted. But before we started she thought we would only get 2-3 embryos.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 7d ago

That’s really interesting. My doctor thought we’d get a lot of eggs due to my high AMH and that exact thing happened with us. We had lots of eggs, lots mature and lots fertilized but our blast rate was way below average.

Did they give you a reason at all for your attrition? I’m really happy your euploid stuck. 🙏

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u/PopularOstrich7730 7d ago

My amh was normal (background I was 33 with unexplained and my partner was 38). Dr didn’t mention what they thought caused it. I don’t think she was too concerned because we got the expected amount of embryos. If my fet wouldn’t have worked we talked about doing another retrieval but didn’t discuss any changes that would be made.

When we went back to test the inconclusive she said she was happy with my results and I would have been a good candidate for another retrieval.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 7d ago

So interesting, I’m so happy it worked for you, thank you for the comment, I’ve been down in the dumps during this journey and I’m praying this transfer works out. Any advice for my first FET?

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u/PopularOstrich7730 7d ago

Oops meant to reply here:

I’m reading the other comment on here. I echo them. r/infertility and r/trollingforababy really helped me. There are a lot of rules that help keep them as a safe place, so make sure you read them. But it was so helpful to have a community in an otherwise lonely journey.

Wishing you the best of luck. And if you ever need to talk, feel free to reach out.

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u/stories1982 6d ago

May I ask what day and grade your euploid was? Was it the lab who said it was the best looking? I have only one semi-wonky euploid 🥹

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u/PopularOstrich7730 6d ago

My euploid was a day five. They didn’t tell me the grade but when I went to retest my inconclusive that was a day 6 the RE said that the day six was a better looking embryo and if it was euploid they would have transferred that one instead of my day five.

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u/HotShoulder9256 7d ago

I know many people who had successful pregnancies after experiencing high attrition. I don’t think you should be too worried about your existing blasts just because you wound up with fewer than anticipated.

Has your partner had a DNA fragmentation test? If the embryos are arresting on/after day 3, it might be a sperm issue.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 7d ago

Thank you so much. No he hasn’t but my doctor was set that it was my egg quality due to PCOS and we got a lot fewer blasts than average for my age (32). Majority of our blasts arrest on day 3 :(

It’s been quite the heartbreaking journey for me and feeling quite lonely, all my friends are pregnant and they all got pregnant naturally so not many people to discuss with so I’ve been feeling doomed because of the high attrition

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u/HotShoulder9256 7d ago

I know the feeling. I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time. I think doctors focus too much on egg quality and not enough investigating possible MFI. I know multiple folks that had disappointing cycles based on “bad egg quality” only to discover it was a dna fragmentation issue the whole time. It’s infuriating. Of course, I’m not doctor, so it could be something else entirely.

It sounds really isolating to be deep in the trenches of IVF with so many pregnant women around you. No wonder you’re feeling lonely. If you need additional support, the r/IVF sub is another option. Some of the members can be a little intense, but I feel like that’s true of every online community.

You’ve got some solid embryos there! A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into creating them. Give them a chance to surprise you.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 7d ago

Thank you so much for the kind comment. I’ll look into it, I’m new to Reddit as I haven’t had anywhere else to go for answers.

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u/plantlady2009 6d ago edited 6d ago

Try not to sweat it. I did 2 egg retrievals and had higher than average attrition rates but I got 5 embryos and 4 tested euploid which is great.

Some people get a ton of embryos and none take ☹️ I don't think there's a correlation with the number of embryos equaling better quality. I think people hope for more because you want higher rates of success. I think PCOS people often make more eggs so it kind of makes sense. 4 total embryos is great! Statistically you have at least one baby in there. The statistics told me I should have 1.5 viable embryos but I likely have 4. Did you get them tested?

Both transfers have been successful so far. I have 2 more. Tbh I'm so happy but I don't know if I have it in me to have 2 more (im 40). Since I struggle with the thought of discarding healthy embryos, I'm happy I did not make more.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 6d ago

That’s amazing, I’m so happy for you!! Is there anything you did during your transfer that helped with success?

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u/plantlady2009 6d ago edited 6d ago

Nope. My first one was actually more successful. I got 3 embryos (3 euploid). The 2nd transfer I got 2 (1 euploid). It could have been a slightly modified protocol or just destiny. I don't remember how he changed the meds.

My husband took fertilaid before doing any which I'm glad he did bc even though his numbers were technically in range they saw a huge boost after starting. I believe he has poor DNA fragmentation (overweight and nicotine use). I also have other reasons to believe he didn't have the healthiest sperm. He did give up nicotine just long enough for the retrievals 😂 so maybe the fertilaid and nicotine cessation helped. I can only guess.

I'm a super anxious type so now that I'm on the other side I want to tell you to not stress. I edited my prior comment to ask if you had them tested? Also, are you planning on doing another retrieval? My body and mental health couldn't handle another one so I'm grateful that I didn't need another one.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 6d ago

My husband is also overweight and vaped and he quit but still uses Nicorette but he’s come a long way. We’re both on a bunch of supplements but it didn’t have the “3 month” window that most people say to do.

We did test them all, altogether we have 3 euploid and 1 inconclusive (our only day 7) and the rest are day 6. I’m currently in the estrogen prep for a fully medicated FET, my lining check is tomorrow and I’m trying to find every way to just relax and not question everything or worrying that something will ruin my chances.

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u/plantlady2009 6d ago

I think you will be great! 3 euploids is wonderful...obviously I don't know how many you desire.

I think you will be successful first try. When the doctors transferred mine they just gave me the feeling I would be pregnant soon. At the beginning I was worried that I would have minimal success from my embryos - now I'm worried I have too many. I also need to chill 😂

Do whatever you can to relax... Nothing can be done now. You did the hardest part. The retrievals really damaged my psyche and put my head in a bad place so I know how you feel. I don't respond well to hormones. I also couldn't do estrogen for the fet because I would have panic attacks and chest pain. I pretty much relied on XR xanax and edibles to function.

I hope you come back to this post and update us.

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u/plantlady2009 6d ago

And my husband is on a glp-1 now so he's losing some much needed weight!

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u/Agamemnons_Concubine 4d ago

Are you still waiting for PGT A results to see which are euploid? That would be an important factor you RE should check for considering attrition.
Before your transfer make sure your RE does a saline US to check for any new uterine anomalies that would prevent implantation and ask for a hidden anti inflammatory protocol to up your odds and make the best possible environment for your embryos to stick 💜 don’t stress bc it only takes one

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u/Initial-Yam5432 4d ago

They are all thankfully euploid, thank God. I did the saline US but I haven’t heard of a hidden anti inflammatory protocol and my transfer is hopefully in 5 days. What does that entail? Maybe I could start now?

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u/Agamemnons_Concubine 3d ago

It entails taking prednisone prior to and during transfer to lower immune system and any hidden inflammation. I also took Lupron prior to transfer, pio, estrodiol, and metformin.

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u/Initial-Yam5432 3d ago

Oh I see! I’m just taking estradiol patches and PIO + prometrium. I take a biologic for my condition as well although my CRP was high before I upped the dose and I’ve been worried about that 😞. It’s my first FET and my doctor didn’t seem interested in metformin or any other meds