What Happens If My IVF Cycle Fails

No one likes to consider the possibility of an IVF cycle not resulting in pregnancy. The reality is, however, that at least 30-40% of the time, it will not. After the emotional dust settles, it is very important that we sit down and critically review the treatment cycle to try to learn more from the experience. We call this a “failed cycle meeting”. A failed cycle meeting is just as important as the actual treatment cycle. In the meeting, all aspects of the treatment cycle will be reviewed.

The review should evaluate both embryonic reasons for failure and environmental reasons:

• Embryonic reasons will evaluate any potential problems with the eggs and/or embryos that might have resulted in the lack of pregnancy or miscarriage. Things such as the protocol (medications and dosage used), number of follicles, estrogen levels, size of follicles at the time that hCG was given, number of eggs obtained, egg maturity, fertilization rate, percentage of embryos that progress to blastocyst (implantation stage, typically day 5 or 6 of embryonic life) and quality of the blastocysts (this can include genetic testing of embryos called comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)). Problems in this area might be due to egg quality or the type of stimulation used. Sometimes, adjustments can be made to the stimulation protocol that might ultimately improve embryo quality and pregnancy outcome.
• Environmental factors are also an important aspect of the failed cycle meeting. This area will include things such as the preparedness of the uterus (endometrial thickness and structure), immune factors (including both autoimmune and alloimmune problems) as well as the embryo transfer. Immunologic factors can be tested using parental blood and might include tests such as Natural Killer Cell Assay, antiphospholipid antibodies and tissue type compatibility testing between the partners (DQ alpha testing).

These areas will be discussed openly and honestly with me so that any future attempts can be revised to improve the chances of a positive outcome. The point here is to have an opportunity to put our heads together, and allow you to ask questions in order to improve the chances for pregnancy on your next attempt.

Responses to "What Happens If My IVF Cycle Fails"

1. blomst says:

   blomst says:

   February 22, 2013 at 8:42 am

   is it reliable enough array cgh test run on day 3 on blastomere after fertilization? or there are other cgh more reliable, especially when a woman is over 40.
   Thank you!

   Reply
2. • Geoffrey Sher says:
     Geoffrey Sher says:
     February 22, 2013 at 3:25 pm

     In my opinion, if you do array CGH it should be done on the blastocyst (not on a day 3 embryo) and that would require freezing (vitrifying) the embryos for a transfer in a subsequent cycle when the results are back.

     Good Luck!

     Geoff Sher
     800-780-7437

     Reply
3. • blomst says:
     blomst says:
     February 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm

     Dr. Sher,

     Thank you so much for your reply!

     Last wek,I called your office and they gave me an email address to send my information and receive your patient form. But I haven´t received any email.We would like to have a consultation and live overseas until June.
     Thank you!

     Reply
4. • Geoffrey Sher says:
     Geoffrey Sher says:
     February 25, 2013 at 6:37 am

     Please email Lia at valenzuelal@sherinstitute.com and ask her to expedite the consultation as per my request.

     Geoff Sher

     Reply