poor embryo quality

[Fifka]

Hi girls,
I am new to these boards and would welcome sharing your experience. Hy history:

32/33
dx: unexplained
11 IUIs with Clomid, 2 BFP both m/c at 5th and 9th week
1st IVF - 6 eggs, 3 embryos (6,4 and 3 cells), BFN
2nd IVF - 12 eggs, 4 embryos (4, 3, 3 and 2 cells)

I just had ET Saturday, out of 12 "healthy looking" eggs only 4 fertilized by ICSI and the best one had 4 cells and little fragmentation.

Though our dx. was unexplained, now it seems that our problem is bad quality of embryos. My RE blamed my eggs for poor embryo quality and 2 m/c, even though they looked good before the ICSI procedure. I have decided to change clinic and try different medication, had Lupron+Follisitm+Repronex both cycles. What's your experience? It's so hard to let go the idea of having own biological child...

Thank you,
Fifka

[kathyinny]

Yes. Do not let go of having a biological child! I too have bad egg quality. Where are you located?

[Fifka]

Kathy, I am in NY, Long Island. But will go to some NYC clinic probably, for my last IVF.

I see a beautiful picture next to your name, were you sucessful??
Based on what did they tell you you have bad eggs and what can be done?

Thanks,
Fifka

[anamaria]

If you read my signature, you will see that my history is a little similar to yours. (10 IUI's and 2 IVF's).

I am very sad and angry after my last BFN, but I am willing to try again.

Several women from the board have gotten pg with embies that don't look very good. Don't lose hope. Persistance is the only thing that can make us become mothers.

[kathyinny]

Fifka- Yes I was successful. I had DS as a result from St. Barnabas and just received a positive from NYU (who I highly highly highly recommend). Please call for a consult there. My RE is Dr. Grifo but they are all very nice and more than capable. We had 2 5 cells and 1 6 cell transferred this time. Let me know what you decide and don't give up.

[kathyinny]

Also make sure you get your insulin levels tested. Mine are definately borderline high and I am very thin. I ate high protein for both my successful IVF's.

[Fifka]

Anamaria, sorry for your BFN, gon't give up. I am also trying not to. Kathy, I will look into NYU. Nobody tested my insulin - what's the name of the test?. Did NYU do anything special in regard to poor embryo quality - special protocol, co-culture, PGD? I hope thay will take my insurance, I have one last IVF partially covered. And big congratulation on your BFP!!! You must be so happy...

[Fifka]

Kathy, also wanted to ask you - why didn't you go to Cornell?
Thank you..

[kathyinny]

We did do co-culture. Dr. Grifo is not convinced it does anything though. I have heard that Cornell is so big and Nurses do not get back to you and I knew I could not deal with that. I am so impressed with NYU. Every person there is so nice and they are so conservative with bloodworks and US's in order to avoid racking up unnecessary expenses as well as worry. I can not say enough good things about it!

[LisaJoan]

I too have poor quality eggs, due to high FSH> you have probably gotten that tested? My FSH has been as high as 25. But as you can see, I do have a daughter out of it! But 3 m/c. The quality of the 3 day embryos doesnt seem to be too much of a factor. I have seen a lot of women get pregnant with the quality you have. And my embryos have always looked good at day 3, and I eventually m/c 2 blighted ovums, which are attributed to bad embryos.

Good luck in your search.