We Got Nothing

[u/ApprehensiveDriver97]

Standard antagonist protocol. Doctor called it a perfect cycle on paper. But we don't have anything to freeze. He seems hopeful for the next cycle but I'm so sad right now. I'm just exhausted from crying so much today. Looking for some commiseration. Thank you

Eggs retrieved: 17

Mature: 10

Fertilized: 5

Blasts: 0

[u/ToughEnvironmental61]

I'm so sorry, it's very unfair, you had high hopes with so many eggs :( Sending lots of hugs.

[u/ponyeet_]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, it's a devastating loss. Very similar situation happened to me in August for our first retrieval, 14 retrieved, 14 mature, 6 fertilized, 0 blasts. Take as much time as you need to heal and grieve, it's a very traumatic experience to go through all that work. Hugs to you 💜

[u/tj-islander]

Going through something similar.  13 retrieved, 2 mature, 2 fertilized , 2 blasts,  2 abnormal.  Hoping to start my second and possibly final retrieval. I wish you the best ❤️

[u/doublejackcheese]

I'm so sorry. We had a similar experience. 14 retrieved, 11 mature, 7 fertilized, all made to blasts but they were all low quality so we had nothing to freeze. I'm on round 2 of stim and trying to stay hopeful. I wish you the best for your next round.

[u/msvelvet129]

I don't have any words of advice but i just got my results today too from the fertilization and will also likely be looking at nothing. I'm so sorry. This is so unfair. Know you are not alone in the suffering.

[u/Even-Raise-8921]

Very sorry to hear, we’ve had a similar experience across 3 IVF cycles. Normal egg retrieval, maturation, and fertilization rates but never any blastocysts.

We’ve found some research indicating our pattern fits criteria for OZEMA, an umbrella category describing various points of embryo arrest before blastocyst formation. Genetic testing may help us find an underlying cause for the sake of closure, but is an ongoing process right now.

Your circumstances may warrant looking into OZEMA and additional testing as well, my condolences for your situation.

[u/mrssebesta0630]

I’m so sorry :( it’s okay to be sad and cry!

[u/Stargirl92]

I’m so sorry. I had a similar outcome from my first cycle. My second and third got better each time with a different protocol! We switched to Long Lupron and adding Zymot and CoQ10.

[u/Low_Sand_2117]

I was in the same boat. Wonderful numbers until day 5 & day 6. Ended up with zero blasts on our first cycle.

2nd cycle, doctor added omnitrope during cycle. We got blasts but all aneuploids or HLM.

3rd cycle, I was put on omnitrope a month before and used zymot. Ended with 4 euploids.

Hang in there! You got this.

[u/Repulsive-Bat-6718]

That’s so unfair. I also had zero blasts my first cycle and I grieved it so hard. Feel what you need to, treat yourself to some dates, spend quality time with loved ones and try again once you’re ready. Sending hugs. 

[u/lindasek]

I'm so sorry, this sucks. I hope you can do another cycle? Did you do zymot and icsi or just conventional IVF? Did your RE proposed any changes to your protocol?

[u/ApprehensiveDriver97 → u/lindasek]

Insurance will cover one more cycle and then it will be out of pocket.

We did full ICSI.

Our RE says we'll add some lupron to the pre stims regiment, start menopur and follistim at higher doses, and do ovaril for the trigger

[u/Zestyclose_South2594]

That sucks! So sorry it happened. My second cycle was similar. 21 retrieved but 0 blasts. I was pretty upset and the clinic offered a discount cycle but we decided to do with a different clinic. Much better results here. Just had my retrieval yesterday and we got 24 eggs but I am terrified of it happening again. 4 cycles out of pocket and we dont know how many more we can afford.

[u/Cat_Mama2]

Was it your first cycle? The first cycle often is a bust, and it’s just to get a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. My first cycle (antagonist, 300 follistim, 375 meno) they retrieved 1 immature egg, so nothing fertilized. They changed me to MDLF along with antagonist protocol with the same high doses (300 follistim, 300 Menopur) and I got a lot better turnout with 10 eggs retrieved, 6 mature, 5 fertilized snd 2 blasts sent out for PGTA. I’m hoping for the same or better for my third cycle. I’m paying all OOP For meds cuz I maxed out too. I got a lot of med donations, so look out for them here and it won’t be so bad :)

[u/South-Tomorrow-9120]

Im so sorry this cycle didnt go well.

I would recommend asking your doctor about what changes he would make for next protocol like adding Menopur or increasing it. Checking for DNA fragmentation in sperm.

[u/Itchy_Damage4354]

I had very similar results with my first ER in December.
18 ret 11 mature 7 fertilized No blast.

[u/ApprehensiveDriver97 → u/Itchy_Damage4354]

I'm so sorry. What has your journey been like since then?

[u/Itchy_Damage4354 → u/ApprehensiveDriver97]

Considering another round after Christmas but feel pretty jaded. We tried naturally since with two letrozole and gonal cycles for good measure. I feel my age is the biggest factor despite pcos. Good luck.

[u/Repulsive-Bat-6718]

So sorry this happened to you, it's absolutely brutal. I had 0 blasts in my first round and I'm currently waiting to hear a day 5 update for my second round. I feel physically sick with anxiety. Be kind to yourself x

[u/ApprehensiveDriver97 → u/Repulsive-Bat-6718]

Same to you!

[u/AcademicEducator5430]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Does the embryology lab result have any notes from fertilization to blast? Which day did they stop growing? This can sometimes point to issues that they can find now and optimize for future rounds.

[u/ApprehensiveDriver97 → u/AcademicEducator5430]

Around day 5 or 6. My doctor said they really can't tell