A 41-year-old woman, Shivani (name changed), has successfully conceived after undergoing an advanced fertility treatment at Milann Fertility Hospital in Bengaluru, following a 15-year-long journey of multiple pregnancy losses and unsuccessful IVF cycles. Under the expert guidance of Dr. R. Suchindra, Senior Consultant – Reproductive Medicine, Shivani’s persistence and the clinic’s tailored approach to her unique fertility challenges culminated in a successful pregnancy.
Shivani’s fertility struggles began years ago when she and her husband, who was diagnosed with Teratozoospermia (a condition affecting sperm quality), first sought treatment at Milann in 2012. After failing to achieve success with ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI), Shivani underwent her first IVF cycle that year. Despite retrieving 12 eggs, the resulting twin pregnancy ended in loss due to premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 27 weeks.
Over the following years, Shivani endured additional challenges. After another failed IVF attempt in 2014, she conceived naturally through IUI in 2017, resulting in the birth of a healthy baby girl. However, between 2019 and 2021, she faced further heartbreak, as six more IUI cycles at different clinics led to two early miscarriages, and the others yielded no pregnancies.
IVF Journey with Advanced Techniques
In January 2022, Shivani underwent her third IVF cycle using an antagonist regimen. Despite the creation of two high-quality embryos, poor endometrial thickness led to the cancellation of planned frozen embryo transfers (FET). In a bid to optimize her uterine environment, she underwent several surgical interventions, including endometrial ploughing and Diagnostic Hystero-Laparoscopy (DHL) with bilateral tubal clipping.
However, a subsequent frozen embryo transfer in September 2022 ended in failure. Despite these setbacks, Shivani remained determined to try again. In February 2024, she began her fourth IVF cycle, using an antagonist protocol combined with recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). This time, only one egg was retrieved, which was fertilized using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). The resulting blastocyst underwent Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) to ensure chromosomal normalcy.
The Role of PGT-A in Achieving a Healthy Pregnancy
Dr. Suchindra emphasized the importance of modern techniques like PGT-A in cases involving advanced maternal age and diminished ovarian reserve. “For patients like Shivani, who have faced recurrent IVF failures and pregnancy losses, PGT-A is essential. It helps identify genetically healthy embryos, reduces the risk of implantation failure, and significantly lowers the chances of miscarriage,” he explained.
In July 2024, Shivani underwent a downregulated frozen embryo transfer, leading to a successful pregnancy. She is currently 25 weeks pregnant, a remarkable milestone in her long, challenging fertility journey.
A Triumph Over Infertility
Shivani’s story is a testament to the resilience of couples struggling with infertility, and the critical role advanced reproductive technologies play in overcoming these challenges. With her pregnancy progressing well, Shivani’s experience highlights the importance of personalized care, cutting-edge fertility treatments, and unwavering determination in achieving the dream of parenthood.
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