allergies and IVF/IUI

[Anonymous]

I'm 40. Got preg 2 years ago on first try - totally natural. Miscarried at 10 wks due to chromosonal abnormality in the baby. Got genetic testing and all is well on both sides. Haven't been able to conceive since, even w/ 3 rounds of IUI. Am now looking at IVF. However, I was wondering if anyone else has heard that allergies can seriously hinder implantation? I am allergic to some of the usual stuff (grasses) but also, believe it or not, to my own urine and sweat. (I breakout in a rash - ever since I was born which made me a real fun baby). I feel like conception has occurred a few times but it's just not implanting. No endometr. or PCOS. Getting frustrated.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of anyone being allergic to a embryo, but given your other allergies, it seems like a reasonable thought. Finding the right doctor will be challenge, you will need someone willing to "think outside the box." Have you and your partner been tested for all the typical reasons people have frequent miscarriages? (Karotyped, APA, etc) Good luck.

[Anonymous]

In terms of your allergies, you may want to look at SIRM's website, haveababy.com - I believe they believe in immune issues affecting outcomes. They have a doc in NYC if you want to cycle with them. I also think Dr. Cheek in NJ deals with immune issues. Most docs, including most in D.C., don't believe in immune issues - they would just say it is your age.

I've had the same experience you have, in that I'm about to turn 40 and a number of times have felt that implantation was occurring, but didn't get pregnant. The mainstream belief among REs is that there are two reasons for this - either the embryo was chromosonally abnormal (due to my age) or it was normal but the mitrochondria in the egg wasn't strong enough to keep going (which happens as women age).

Some REs, including Dr. Scholcraft at CCRM, believe that some women's body's just aren't receptive to implanting an embryo after being on infertility meds (especially after going through an IVF, but this may be true for an IUI if you were on injectibles). They've seen higher success rates for their frozen embryo transfers, and believe one reason may be that women's bodies have had time to recover from the stims and are more timely to implant the embryo.

One other theory - some people who believe in alternative medicine for infertility believe that some women's alkaline levels are not right and that that interferes with getting pregnant. They believe that wheatgrass and perhaps other herbs can help.

Good luck - I know how frustrating it is to search for the golden egg!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your responses!