Ashley and Jason began IVF in 2020 after three years of trying to conceive, with Ashley facing endometriosis and COVID-19 delays. Their fertility treatment at Care Fertility Sheffield brought hope, but also challenges – Ashley and Jason share their story below:
Starting IVF during the pandemic
We began IVF in 2020 after three years of trying to conceive. I have endometriosis and the Covid-19 pandemic had struck six months prior, meaning treatments had been delayed which left us feeling sad and frustrated.
Finally, we had our first appointment with Care Fertility Sheffield through the NHS, and within a month I had commenced treatment for egg collection.
I found the process really stressful; we had lots of ups and downs emotionally and physically. We experienced a lot of desperation and hope. I feel we always thought IVF would work the first time around – after all, why wouldn’t it?
Egg collection, OHSS, and a cancelled transfer
We gained ten eggs, and four made it to blastocysts. However, after the egg collection I was unwell and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) was queried. Unfortunately, I ended up in hospital on the day of transfer, and the transfer had to be cancelled. This was soul destroying but on reflection it was the best decision for us. Luckily, I made a full recovery and two months later we transferred our first embryo.
A positive test and a painful loss
On test day, I couldn’t believe my eyes, we had a positive. However, a few days later I experienced a big bleed accompanied by lots of pain. I spoke with the clinic who were very supportive over the telephone, and they said to rest. The next morning, I was beside myself with worry, and I requested an HCG blood test, this came back on the Friday at close to 4000. I had a repeat blood test 2/3 days later and this had reduced to 700, which I was told by the nurses was a ‘chemical pregnancy’. I hated this term.
Because I’d had a positive test, it felt like the loss of a chance to us. Three weeks later I did another pregnancy test, and I found the test was really dark, I went to the clinic for a repeat HCG and it had risen to 600, I had a scan and there was a shadow on my left side. I was referred to the early pregnancy unit.
Ectopic pregnancy and difficult decisions
After a few weeks and every other day HCG at the EPU, I was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, and I had to decide on methotrexate or having surgery to remove my fallopian tube. I decided on the methotrexate. Emotionally the ectopic pregnancy took a huge toll on me, and I think it being our first cycle of IVF it strained us as a couple.
Another transfer, more hope, and another loss
In April 2021, I had another embryo transferred and I asked for my progesterone to be checked as I felt it may have been low as I bled early in October. On transfer day my progesterone was found to be very low, therefore, I was given triple progesterone. On test day again, I tested positive, we were more wary this time and aware of what we could lose. Just before five weeks again I had bleeding and my HCG this time did decrease normally.
Searching for answers
After our second loss, we wanted more tests. I was already having weekly acupuncture, and the lady I saw was fantastic. She talked me through tests that might help to uncover underlying health issues, understand why this was happening to us, and what we could do to increase our chances.
I had clotting blood tests and we also did NK-cell testing. My clotting bloods showed that I had immune issues requiring steroids. They also showed clotting issues, which meant I would need blood-thinning injections throughout pregnancy, alongside aspirin. We repeated the blood tests three months later, and luckily they showed that I didn’t actually require the blood thinners, so they weren’t added to my October 2021 protocol.
Repeated cycles and emotional exhaustion
For our next cycle in October 2021, I decided to not use steroids, but to use aspirin instead and to see how the next transfer went. Again, we had a positive pregnancy test, but again I bled after test day. My HCG began to decline as normal.
I feel that because of the heartbreak and the fear of another ectopic pregnancy, losing again – and it being more ‘straightforward’ – didn’t cause the same level of mental scarring this time. We decided we would take a break and enjoy Christmas together, and planned to give IVF another go in January 2022.
When it felt like the end of our journey
In January 2022, we transferred the last embryo from our first collection, and this time I used aspirin and steroids. I didn’t get a positive result at all. It felt like this was the end for us – we had used our NHS round, and I wasn’t sure we would ever become parents. I felt like the world was against us, and that it just wasn’t meant to be.
A break, a holiday, and new clarity
We decided to live a little and booked a holiday to Mauritius, a Zika-free country, just in case we conceived naturally. While we were away, we talked about trying IVF again, and before we’d even returned home, I contacted the clinic.
When we landed back in the UK, we paid for an IVF multi-cycle package with the Sheffield clinic. I asked for my clotting bloods to be repeated, as I’d previously tested positive for lupus anticoagulant, which had then shown as negative on a second test just three months later. This third set of bloods confirmed that I have lupus, which meant I would need blood-thinning injections throughout the whole pregnancy if treatment was successful.
A second egg collection and cautious optimism
In March 2022, I had our second egg collection. We gained nine eggs, and five made it to blastocysts. This time I was well, and I was able to have a transfer. Just before test day I began to bleed again, I did an early test, and this came back as positive. I contacted the clinic and had an HCG test. This came back as 311, and two days later it was 728. Our consultant upped my progesterone, and I was placed on bed rest. I had painful cramps, like period cramps, and I thought the pregnancy was ending again.
The scan that changed everything
At six weeks I had a scan, which was done early to make sure the pregnancy was in the right place and not ectopic. It was confirmed that the pregnancy was in the correct place, but there was no heartbeat, so I was asked to return 11 days later. Around this time I started to bloat, and colleagues at work began asking if I was pregnant.
At 7+4 we went for a scan and unbelievably two little heartbeats were found! The feeling was unreal, it was so exciting but also worrying at the same time. We had identical twins inside on the way!
A high-risk twin pregnancy
The pregnancy was difficult. I had hyperemesis and gestational diabetes, and I needed crutches due to SPD, low haemoglobin, and at one point placenta previa. I was scanned every fortnight. There was also a concern about twin-to-twin transfusion at one stage, but this settled.
An early arrival
At 33 weeks I noticed reduced movements from twin one, so I went in to be monitored. I’d been having tightenings for a while, but this time they were becoming more regular and were showing on the CTG monitor. A vaginal swab confirmed that I was highly likely to go into premature labour within a week, so I was admitted to the ward. At 33+5 weeks my waters broke, and a C-section was planned.
During the C-section I had low blood sugars and required a blood transfusion. My baby girls were born weighing 3lb 8oz and 3lb 9oz. They were taken straight to the neonatal ward, where they stayed for 12 days.
Life after IVF as a twin mum
I’ve found being a twin mum very difficult. My body endured a lot during pregnancy, and for that reason I would never advocate transferring more than one embryo. Being a twin parent really does push you to your limits. I have very little time for myself, but I do have twice the moments, twice the love, and of course double trouble. Dreams really do come true.
We feel incredibly lucky to be in this position in life. We do still have four remaining embryos, which I don’t think we will use.
To get to where we are, I’ve had hundreds of injections, countless procedures, and endured the heartbreak of loss. But here I am, with my two baby girls who are soon to be one year old, feeling incredibly lucky that my life has them in it. The twins themselves have had no health problems.
With thanks to Care Fertility Sheffield
Care Fertility Sheffield, with Dr Georgios Petsas, made this happen and I cannot thank them enough for giving us our little family.
Thinking about your own fertility journey?
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