The main causes of RIF fall into three categories: 1) Embryonic factors, most commonly chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo; 2) Uterine factors, such as polyps, fibroids, a non-receptive uterine lining, or inflammation; and 3) Systemic factors, including immunological issues, clotting disorders, or unmanaged medical conditions like thyroid disease

The first step is to pause and conduct a thorough investigation with your fertility specialist. This typically involves a full review of your history, advanced diagnostic testing (like blood tests for immune factors, hysteroscopy for uterine assessment, or genetic testing of embryos), and creating a new, personalised treatment plan based on the findings.

It's natural to feel like your body is "rejecting" the embryo, but this is rarely the case. More often, implantation fails because of a complex biological mismatch. It could be an issue with the embryo's viability, a problem with the uterine environment being unreceptive, or an underlying medical or immune condition. It is not a personal failing, but a medical problem that can often be diagnosed, allowing for a personalised treatment plan to be developed.

The only certain way to know if implantation was unsuccessful is a negative blood pregnancy test (beta-hCG) conducted by your clinic, typically 9-14 days after your transfer. While some people experience cramping or spotting, many have no symptoms at all, whether the cycle is successful or not. Symptoms during the two-week wait are not reliable indicators of success or failure.

While chronic, severe stress can impact overall health and hormonal balance, there is no direct evidence that everyday stress is a primary cause of recurrent implantation failure. It's important to manage stress for your well-being, but you should not blame yourself or your stress levels for an unsuccessful cycle.

Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) is a clinical diagnosis for when a person has had several transfers of high-quality embryos during IVF cycles without achieving a clinical pregnancy. Guidelines from bodies like ESHRE suggest it may be defined after the failure of at least two to three embryo transfers.

The success rate of a single IVF embryo transfer varies widely depending on factors like the patient's age, the cause of infertility, and whether the embryo has been genetically tested. You should discuss your personal prognosis and potential success rates with your specialist, as they can provide information relevant to your specific circumstances. After an RIF diagnosis and further investigation, subsequent success rates depend entirely on identifying and addressing the underlying cause.