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IVF miscarriage & implantation failure
- Lister Fertility Clinic is the UK’s largest private IVF unit
- A full range screening tests and treatments available
- Our clinics are linked to major hospitals
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IVF miscarriage or implantation failure tests
Why choose us?
We fully understand how devastating it can be when IVF fails to work or ends in miscarriage, and we’re here to do everything we can to help. Our comprehensive range of tests and treatments can help determine what’s happened, why it happened, and how you can take the next positive steps on your fertility journey.
Sadly, IVF treatment cycles are not always successful. After an embryo is transferred during IVF, there are two common causes for the pregnancy to fail:
- The embryo doesn’t implant properly in your womb. This is known as implantation failure.1
- The embryo does implant in your womb, but the pregnancy fails at a later point. This is miscarriage.
These are often a result of a problem with an embryo that happens by chance and can’t be prevented. But if you’ve experienced several IVF implantation failures or miscarriages, despite using good quality embryos, your consultant will usually want to check for any underlying causes and try to find a more positive treatment path.
They might also suggest some ‘add-on’ treatments to boost your chances of conceiving next time.2
These tests are usually only recommended if you’ve had two or three failed IVF cycles or miscarriages, but your consultant will also consider your age and the quality of your embryos before suggesting them.1
IVF treatment is a complex and delicate process. If your IVF treatments have repeatedly ended in implantation failure or miscarriage, it might be due to several underlying causes, including: 1,3
- Blood clotting disorders
- Hormone disorders
- Anatomical disorders
- Problems with your womb lining (endometrium)
- Changes in your microbiome (the bacteria that normally live in your vagina and reproductive system)
- Your immune system’s response to pregnancy
- Problems with the sperm
- Chromosome and other embryo abnormalities
Your lifestyle can be a factor too. Your chances of successful IVF treatment can be affected by smoking, the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink, and your weight.1,3
If you’ve had repeated implantation failure or miscarriage after IVF, our specialist fertility teams might recommend one or more of the following tests or treatments:
- Blood clotting screening
- Hormonal screening
- Anatomical screening such as a hysterosalpingogram, a transvaginal ultrasound or a hysteroscopy
- Tests and treatments on your womb lining such as an endometrial receptivity array (ERA) test or an endometrial scratch
- A sperm DNA test or a selection technique such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or intracytoplasmic morphological sperm injection (IMSI)
- Embryo selection techniques such as pre-implantation genetic testing or an embryoscope
Every patient is different, and implantation and pregnancy can be affected by a wide range of factors. Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your personal circumstances, and which tests or treatments might be right for you.
On-site tests and procedures
Our main clinic is directly linked to our hospitals
Rapid results
All our laboratories are in-house
Fully personalised care
Dedicated support in our state-of-the-art facilities
IMPLANTATION FAILURE OR MISCARRIAGE AFTER IVF SERVICES
Comprehensive testing and treatment
If you’ve had repeated implantation failure or miscarriage after IVF, we can help determine what’s causing it. We offer a comprehensive range of tests and screenings at HCA UK, and your dedicated fertility consultant will talk you through your options, your wishes and what’s best for your specific situation.
Hysteroscopy
Private hysteroscopy offers a safe, effective way to diagnose and treat conditions affecting your womb. With fast access to leading consultants in London, Manchester and Birmingham, we’ll support you at every step.
Pelvic ultrasound scan
Transvaginal (pelvic) ultrasounds provide a clear, accurate view of your pelvic area, helping specialists diagnose conditions, monitor reproductive health and assess fertility with care, precision and sensitivity for your comfort and peace of mind.
The Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) test
The Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) is a test that analyses the endometrial lining of your uterus to determine the optimal time for embryo transfer in IVF.
Sperm DNA test
Sperm DNA testing assesses the genetic quality of sperm, identifying DNA fragmentation that may impact fertility, IVF success and miscarriage risk. It offers valuable insight for tailored fertility treatment decisions.
ICSI and sperm selection
ICSI is a procedure where a single, high-quality sperm is directly injected into an egg to aid fertilisation. It can help when sperm problems are affecting fertility treatment.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing PGT
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is a technique used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) to screen embryos for genetic disorders before they are transferred to the uterus. It’s sometimes called PGT IVF.
Time-lapse imaging (EmbryoScope)
Our time-lapse imaging technology tracks embryo development through every stage of IVF, helping our fertility specialists select the embryos most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.
Blood clots
Blood clots are lumps of blood that can form in your veins and arteries. These can be dangerous and cause medical emergencies.
Hysterosalpingogram
Endometrial scratch
Hormonal screening
Intracytoplasmic Morphological Sperm Injection (IMSI)
Where can I get tests after IVF miscarriage or implantation failure?
We can provide complex fertility treatment, diagnostic tests and scans, and access to personalised care at our dedicated clinics.
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients
40 Bank Street Canary Wharf E14 5NR London
Tests at HCA UK after IVF miscarriage or implantation failure
If you’ve had repeated IVF miscarriage or implantation failure, we understand it can be an emotional and distressing experience. If you feel ready to investigate what might be causing it, our dedicated fertility consultants are here to provide expert advice, and help you feel comfortable and reassured at every stage.
They’ll discuss your options and answer all questions before any testing and screening happens. The process and timings will depend on your specific situation, but this gives you an idea of what to expect:
01
Before your tests
You can make an appointment for your tests at either of our dedicated fertility clinics, or your IVF consultant may have already recommended one after your IVF treatment. You can usually be seen in as little as 24 hours.
If your test involves surgery, you’ll need to stop eating and drinking from the night before the procedure.
02
During your tests
Your consultant and a dedicated fertility team will talk you through every step. They’ll make sure you have plenty of time to discuss any questions or concerns you have, and you’ll be expertly cared for throughout any test or screening. They’ll also give you any advice you might need about how to care for yourself or recover at home afterwards. You should receive any results in as little as 48 hours.
03
Follow-up
There’s a wide range of tests and screenings that can help find any underlying causes of IVF miscarriage or implantation failure, so your consultant will want to talk you through your results, and how they might affect any future steps on your fertility journey.
04
Future treatment
The tests may have identified treatment options that could increase your chances of a successful pregnancy in the future. If that’s the case, your consultant will want to discuss that treatment, your feelings and choices, and any potential timings.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
IVF miscarriage or implantation failure FAQs
You should be able to book any tests or screenings at either of our two dedicated fertility clinics in as little as 24 hours.
Yes, you can. We have both male and female fertility consultants available, so you can make your appointment with someone you feel totally comfortable with.
There are multiple different tests and screenings your consultant may recommend, and they might be part of a broader treatment plan or a future IVF cycle. You’ll be given a detailed breakdown of the costs of your specific tests by your fertility team.
The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) inspects all our clinics to assess their compliance with regulations and standards and gives them a rating. This is to help you choose your clinic based on the quality of its services.
Our Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital and The Lister Fertility Clinic both hold a top HFEA inspection rating of 5/5.
IVF miscarriage and implantation failure is a widely researched topic. We have used the following sources when creating this page:
- MJ, Griesinger G, et al. ESHRE good practice recommendations on recurrent implantation failure. Hum Reprod Open 2023(3). doi: 10.1093/hropen/hoad023.
- ESHRE Add-ons working group; Lundin K, Bentzen JG, Bozdag G, et al. Good practice recommendations on add-ons in reproductive medicine. Hum Reprod 2023;38(11): 2062-2104. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead184.
- Ma J, Gao W, Li D. Recurrent implantation failure: A comprehensive summary from etiology to treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;13:1061766. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1061766.
- Thum MY, Bhaskaran S, Abdalla HI, et al. An increase in the absolute count of CD56dimCD16+CD69+ NK cells in the peripheral blood is associated with a poorer IVF treatment and pregnancy outcome. Hum Reprod 2004;19(10):2395-400. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh378.
- Von Woon E, Greer O, Shah N, et al. Number and function of uterine natural killer cells in recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2022;28(4):548-582. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmac006.
“I had several failed IVF cycles with another clinic and was recommended to see Mr Salim and I got pregnant after first cycle with him!”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.