I got my biopsy results back: I don’t have endometritis, and I’ve never been so ungrateful to receive good news.
Ignoring the possibility that it’s a false negative, the fact that my uterus is presumed to be in perfect condition means that we don’t have an explanation for why my first two FETs failed.
Or, I have a few ideas, and they are worrisome:
- Our embryos were damaged during the freezing process. I don’t know how likely this is, because 2 of the 3 embryos that survived the thaw had a post-thaw rating of ‘Excellent’.
- I have secondary infertility, as well as primary. Is that even a thing?
- I lack the Beta 3-Integrin protein essential for implantation—possible because I have endometriosis. Maybe the two weeks I was on Lupron was the missing piece to the implantation puzzle for the cycle that resulted in my daughter. (See: E-tegrity test.) Lupron is the only medication we haven’t included in our FET protocol.
- Something else. Like what…?
Or maybe it was just shitty timing. The first FET may not have worked because I was stricken with a migraine six hours after transfer; the second FET may not have worked because we were very stressed about the possibility that our daughter had been lead-poisoned.
WHO KNOWS.
Until I get pregnant or run out of embryos, I guess I just have to live with the uncertainty.
Hi Lauren,
Just found your blog via Don’t Count Your Eggs. I’ve been at this infertility thing for four years (and counting), and it really seems that simple luck has more to do with it than most people and doctors would like to admit. Even PGS-normal embryos can fail to implant, and sometimes it just takes a few tries to get to the one that does, and no one knows why.
I’m fairly convinced that for the vast majority of women, this is a numbers game as much as anything.
I hope your number comes up soon.
(We’re currently on our second round of donor embryos after three failed IVFs.)
Hi Pamela!
I’m so glad you found me; I’ll check out your blog in a moment.
I really appreciate your wisdom. I think I’ve been so focused on improving the odds I’d forgotten that simple LUCK has a lot to do with it. Hopefully the third time is the charm…
Lauren xo
Hello lovely lady
Congratulations on having a perfect uterus- because that really is good news. Yes it would have been good in a way to have been told there was a uterus problem that they could fix – but actually, it would just be another hurdle. You’re much better off with a perfect one- even if that means you don’t have an answer right now.
I still feel very confident that one your frosties is V’s little sibling just waiting to join you. All you can do is stay positive and healthy, take the meds, and keep trying as long as you want to. It worked once- and right now you know of no reason why it shouldn’t work again……
xx
Do you think you’ll add Lupron to your next FET? Do you know why your RE decided not to use it for your first two?
Yes, definitely! Oops, I meant to explicitly say we would be including Lupron next time.
I took it with the V cycle because it shuts down your reproductive system and puts you into a temporary menopause-like state. This helps sync you to your donor. Maybe that’s why? It wasn’t considered necessary with an FET because there was no donor to sync to?
Good! I hope this is the missing piece to the puzzle and you have success next time <3
Thank you ❤ I wish you very much the same, whatever you decide ❤
I’m glad your uterus is in good shape but I’m sorry you didn’t get any answers you were looking for. Is it possible for it to have just been a fluke? I hope the third time’s the charm for you.
Thanks, Leila. I’m really hoping that it’s a fluke. Anything is possible, I guess–but it’s less likely considering that the embryos were PGS-tested and I’ve been pregnant twice before. Maybe the third time will be the charm! I’m hoping the Lupron and injectable estrogen (both of which I took for the cycle that resulted in V; neither of which I took with the two FETs) will make all the difference!