A failed IVF cycle can be heartbreaking, but the important
thing is to analyze what went right and what didn't go right , so that we can
plan better for the future.
Now there are only three tangible variables we can dissect.
One is the thickness and texture of the endometrium - what's
called the endometrial receptivity. If the endometrium on the ultrasound scans was
trilaminar and more than 8 mm thick, this means it was receptive. If it wasn't
ideal, then additional tests such as a hysteroscopy could be done to analyze
the uterine cavity. However, if the uterine lining was optimal, then
additional tests such as the expensive ERA ( Endometrial Receptivity Assay )
tests are a waste of time and money. Read more at
https://www.drmalpani.com/knowledge-center/articles/why-thse-new-expensive-endometrial-receptivity-tests-are-useless
The second is the embryo - its grade, and the number of
cells it has. This is why embryo photos
are so important. You can see what embryos should look like at
www.drmalpani.com/knowledge-center/ivf/embryos. If the embryos aren't good,
then you need to change the lab, or the superovulation protocol. If the embryos
were top quality, then a new highly hyped test which promises to provide more
information about top quality embryos is called PGS, where we analyse the genetics
of the embryo. Sadly, PGS reduces
pregnancy rates. Read more at
http://blog.drmalpani.com/2015/05/how-pgs-overpromises-and-underperforms.html
The third is the actual mechanical process of the embryo transfer.
If this was technically smooth, then there's no need to make any changes in
this.
All these fancy new test such as ERA and PGS are very
profitable for the doctor to do, but they aren't clinically useful at all , so
please don't waste your money on them , because they don't provide any useful
clinically actionable information.
What to find an IVF clinic which respects your time and
intelligence ?