Improving egg quality

[zacharysmum]

Hi ladies

Just after some advice on improving my egg quality. I've only just turned 37 but my egg quality has significantly declined since my first IVF when I was 32. Back then I got 14 eggs, 11 mature, 9 fertilised and ended up with 6 blasts with 3 great grades resulting in 2 births.

This time I only got 5 eggs, all mature and fertilised but only ended up with 2 blasts that were graded 2:3. Not great. Had one put back and got pregnant but just been told I will miscarry soon as there was a small sac no baby at over 6 weeks.

I have 2 Frosties left but grade 2:3 which I will have to use first. Just feeling sceptical because I've had 2 miscarriages from this grade. I suspect I will need another fresh cycle, so was just wondering if there was anything I could do/take to help me improve my eggs quality and quantity. I will obviously ask at my review but would love to hear from people in the same boat that have had success?

Thanks

[Sofy36]

Hi Zacharysmum,

I’m so sorry to hear this. We were chatting a few months ago on here. I’m in the same boat unfortunately.
My cycle when I was 34 was miles better than now at 37. I had a failed short protocol in September, only got 3 eggs and two fertilised. I’m doing the long protocol now and hoping for a better result. I haven’t done anything different except stopped running and started taking 600 co enzyme q10. I’d love to hear suggestions from other ladies too. Do you think you’ll try your frozen? I think the fact that you have frozen embryos means they are strong contenders as a lot aren't good enough to freeze.
Hope you’re feeling ok hun! Big hug!

[zacharysmum]

Hi sofy. I'm sorry you had a bad cycle too. Wish I'd done two cycles when I was younger and froze all the eggs. So much harder now. Yes I will use my Frosties in feb, will put both back. One of them was frozen when I was 32, so I'm sort of hoping that when it thaws out the quality improves?? My daughter was a Frostie originally a 2:3 and improved when thawed to a 2:2.

Anyway if that doesn't work, I will go straight into another cycle as I've done a multi cycle package with care, and it makes sense to not waste time to go again. So that means improving my diet now and taking any supplement that may help. I've just ordered some super greens powder. Plan on having that every day. Just ordered the book it starts with an egg. I will also look into long protocol to see if this would improve egg quantity.

Is it the Ubiquinol co q10 your taking? Will look into that too. When do you start your cycle? xx

[Sofy36]

Hi zacharysmum,

I’m about 5 days in to buserelin on long protocol.
I had the scratch on Monday. I wish I had done another cycle earlier too. I think we’ve still got good eggs in us but they won’t be as easy to find. I was a nervous wreck last cycle so I’m trying to be more relaxed this time. Its hard to know what to try to improve things and what not to try. For example in the book it starts with an egg she recommends dhea, however some dr.s really advise against it. Let me know what changes you’ll be making. This time I’ve cut out sugar completely since I started my cycle which is tough! Still have fruit but nothing refined.
I’m taking natures best co enzyme q 10, but was thinking of switching to solgars straight ubiquinol. Xx

[zacharysmum]

Oh wow so your off again? I didn't know you could go again so soon? Are you still at care Manchester?

That's interesting about DHEA, I think I read something about altering hormones? Yes the Ubiquinol is better than co enzyme q10. It's the purer form. So I will def take that. No sugar!? What about chocolate? I read about a woman on here drinking green juices every day so I'm going to try that, buy a nutribullet. If nothing else might shed a few pounds before I get in a bikini in the new year, we're off to Tenerife. Hoping the vitamin d will help too.

Wishing you lots of luck, hope you get some juicy eggs before xmas, is egg collection in December? X

[Lmills]

Hi ZM, how are you doing?
I was so sorry to read your news and it’s horrible you just have to wait for Nature to take it’s course. Have you stopped medication now?
With regards to egg quality, I’m not sure that I’m the best example but I honestly believe that what I did for my fresh cycle (when I was 41) can have done nothing but improve the quality of the eggs I got.
I bought the Zita West Guide to IVF as I had my treatment there and saw one of their nutritionists.
I took the ZW supplements - pre-conception and vital dha. I also took co-enzyme q10 and a vitamin d spray every other day.
I cut out alcohol and caffeine for 3 months - there was an occasional slip like the work Christmas party, but nothing extreme. I aimed for 9 portions of fruit and veg a day (no more than 3 fruit) and tried to keep to unprocessed foods the majority of the time.
I made myself a NutriBullet every morning as that would normally cover 3+ of my 9 a day. Protein is also important so ensure you have a proper portion of protein with each meal.
When I look back at this now, I can’t believe I did it. I’m not the biggest fruit and veg lover and I do like a glass of wine!
I had a low AMH level and one practically non-functioning ovary but got 8 mature eggs, 4 fertilised and I had 3 transferred. I did fall pregnant although miscarried later but I don’t think I’d even have got that far without doing what I did and it is a game of roulette at the best of times, particularly as we get older.
Not sure it’s much help but just thought I’d share with you. x

[zacharysmum]

Hi Lmills,

I stopped medication on weds but so far no bleeding. Went for a run today to try and make it start. But nothing. Care are ringing me next week to see how I'm getting on. Not sure how long it will take to start. I miscarried at 7 weeks last time.

Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting going with the nutribullet want to make some green juices. will look into the supplements I'm keen on getting the Ubiquinol un decided on DHEA. Already on preconception, omega 3 and folic acid. I don't drink alcohol apart from the odd glass of wine once a month and have one cup of tea a day. Don't eat much sugar. I eat protein salads for dinner. I think my breakfast I'm going to improve with a superfood juice alongside porridge with nuts and berries. I go running a few times a week and I have a good bmi. Not sure what else I can do.

What stage are you at now I've forgotten? Remind me of how well did you do with this cycle? x

[Lmills]

You already sound very healthy ZM!
Every time I’ve had to stop medication ( MMC and bfn) I’ve started to bleed on the 4th day so hopefully not too much longer for you.
I had a bfn last month and got straight on with another fet. Had the transfer yesterday so Day 1 of the 2ww (again)!
x

[zacharysmum]

Ooh wishing you all the luck in the world! What grade was your Frostie?

[Lmills]

Thank you!
It was the same as last time - 3AA and I think the 3 means almost fully expanded and each of the A’s refer to the part that would form the foetus and the Placenta. So all good, just have to keep everything crossed .....again!

[zacharysmum]

Great grade then! Wow never had that grade before. Will definitely follow your advice then. Good luck xx

[Lmills]

Oh no ZM - my FET’s are with donor eggs! Sorry if I confused you.
My advice was from my fresh cycle with my own eggs.
x

[zacharysmum]

Oh I see good luck xx

[Sofy36]

Hi zacharysmum,

Hope you’re doing ok.

Xx

[Highveld44]

Hi please check out all the nutritional advise detailed by hethir Rodriguez. Its all accessible on line and really makes a difference.i had a similar poor cycle and after following all the dietary advice for 3 months my next cycle produced more high quality eggs than i had ever previouly achieved and i was 41.i now have a healthy nearly 2 year old and 2 high quality blastocysts in waiting. Good luck x

[zacharysmum]

Can I ask what you did? Will have a look but be interested to see what you actually did to make the improvements. Xx

[Babydust87]

Hi,

I'm 30 years old and have just been though my first icsi which failed last week. I was told I had hyperthyroidism and I'm on 75mg daily my AMH is 5.5 which I wasn't told about until last week at my egg collection( very disappointed no one told me) my partner has low sperm
Quality so icsi was advised. They collected 4 eggs 2 of which immediately perished once sperm was injected and the other two developed abnormal cells. I'm very worried and slightly shocked about this. I've arranged for an appointment with CARE for Feb. The previous consult mentioned egg donner(this is too early to be thinking about?) has anyone had anything similar to this that you could please ease my peace of mind? I haven't told family or friends as I'm a very private person and this is a very sensitive subject.

Thank you x

[zacharysmum]

I guess you have egg and sperm issues. I recommend the book it starts with an egg and try to follow the advice for both you and your partner. It takes 4 months for an egg to mature so you would need to make changes now. Acupuncture can also help xx

[Babydust87]

Thank you, books been ordered. Xx

[Macri]

Hi all
It is very interesting to read your stories and advices. Thanks for sharing.
I wanted to ask if you had any advice from your consultant regarding DHEA. I wanted to start taking it, but the consultant discouraged me to do it.
Let’s tell my story. I am 42 and had the first IVF cycle last year in June. I had good hormone levels and the cycle resulted in 7 blastocysts, which was very positive for my age. I had 2 transferred in a fresh cycle which did not implant. And two frostiest that resulted in a miscarriage in November. I will transfer the remaining 3 in February. I didn’t do much preparation for the first cycle (just improving lifestyle and taking some vitamins). But a few months ago, I read the book “It starts with the egg”, and I started following the advices in the book. Now I take Zita West’s vitamins, DHA and ubiquinol (3 tablets), as I am with Access and have the possibility to do another fresh cycle if the transfer in February does not work. When I met with the consultant after the miscarriage, I asked about DHEA. He told that as I had a good response in the first cycle, it is not recommended and it could even have negative impact for the next cycle, resulting in less fertilised eggs. He told me that it cannot improve egg quality, just the quantity and as I had a good number it is not worth the risk. However, the book quotes studies that show that also egg quality is improved. The fact that none of my blastocysts implanted means that the quality of my eggs is not good (as expected above 40), so even if I have a good number, I will have no chance!! I understand there is not enough evidence yet for DHEA, but in the USA they use it as standard practice before IVF for women above 40. And I read there are not negative side effects. So I don’t understand why they are so reluctant to use it in Europe. Anybody has a similar experience / advice?
Thanks!

[zacharysmum]

Hi I’m currently taking the Ubiquinol after reading it starts with an egg but I’m just not convinced about DHeA so I’m not on that. The negative stories put me off. Hopefully the 3 embryos you have left will be good enough for you. I have two Frosties left but like you have done the access package and if they don’t work I’ve been taking the supplements in case I need to do another cycle. Have you tried acupuncture I found that beneficial too xx

[Baby2]

Hi
I know it’s been a few years for this post but trying my luck to see the outcome from the suggestions on vitamins etc.