so after 6 days on big guns stims it looks like tomorrow i'll have 4 follicles large enough. 4 follicles. confirming the suspicions that my RE has alluded to that i'll be a poor responder. i'm 35 and have an elevated FSH. there's no real reason to think that i'll do better on another cycle. although i guess it's possible. or it could be even worse. there's really no way of knowing. this is my first cycle.
should we go through to retrieval with our pitiful 4 follicles or convert?
if we convert we probably can't start another cycle until mid april-ish due to the lab's schedule.
sounds dumb but this all just feels like a . . .mistake. you know? like a nightmare that i'm going to wake up from.
convert to IUI or carry on with iffy cycle. what to do?
hi bnb,
i've just read a couple of your posts and want to send you a big hug. Seems odd sending a complete stranger a hug but it gets to a point when you can hear "stay positive" too much. I really do know how you feel and although I haven't got a happy ending personally, I do know that many many people have with less than 4 follicles so just hang in there for a few more days and go with what your heart tells you.
I've just been through my first IVF and unfortunately didn't make it past the egg retrieval process. it's heart breaking and I just wanted to disappear as knowing that there is nothing you can do to change the result is so tough. Like you say it's like a bad dream you just want to wake up from. In my case, I didn't respond to the first dose of stims they gave me so they up'ed my dose. It turns out that 4 follicles did respond and I ended up with 4 mature follicles and 21 small ones. they kept me on stims for 16 days in total hoping that the others would catch up. they didn't and i truely believe that the 4 they got were over mature as we got no fertilisation. we also had the option to turn it into an IUI but I'm glad we didn't, the retrieval hurts a bit but at least it gives you the best chance possible. It also gives the doctors lots more information if it doesn't work as they analsye the eggs and will change the protocol of teh next cycle accordingly.
Tons and tons of luck and remember 4 definately can be enough.
keep in touch and hope that hug gets to you in one piece!
Rebecca
i've just read a couple of your posts and want to send you a big hug. Seems odd sending a complete stranger a hug but it gets to a point when you can hear "stay positive" too much. I really do know how you feel and although I haven't got a happy ending personally, I do know that many many people have with less than 4 follicles so just hang in there for a few more days and go with what your heart tells you.
I've just been through my first IVF and unfortunately didn't make it past the egg retrieval process. it's heart breaking and I just wanted to disappear as knowing that there is nothing you can do to change the result is so tough. Like you say it's like a bad dream you just want to wake up from. In my case, I didn't respond to the first dose of stims they gave me so they up'ed my dose. It turns out that 4 follicles did respond and I ended up with 4 mature follicles and 21 small ones. they kept me on stims for 16 days in total hoping that the others would catch up. they didn't and i truely believe that the 4 they got were over mature as we got no fertilisation. we also had the option to turn it into an IUI but I'm glad we didn't, the retrieval hurts a bit but at least it gives you the best chance possible. It also gives the doctors lots more information if it doesn't work as they analsye the eggs and will change the protocol of teh next cycle accordingly.
Tons and tons of luck and remember 4 definately can be enough.
keep in touch and hope that hug gets to you in one piece!
Rebecca
hello girls,
my first ivf i had only 4 follies, we harvested them all, they all fertilized, but unfortunalty the fresh transfer and then the frozen didnt work, since then we have tryed 9 more cycles to get any follies, all with no luck at all, they just to small..
i think i am getting at i was extreemly lucky to of had the chance with just my 4, even though it didnt work for us, you never know how strong your lillte ones will be..but in the end you know whats right for you and DH good luck with it all
we are trying IUI now, with a low sperm count, yes this is a hard slog...
kee
my first ivf i had only 4 follies, we harvested them all, they all fertilized, but unfortunalty the fresh transfer and then the frozen didnt work, since then we have tryed 9 more cycles to get any follies, all with no luck at all, they just to small..
i think i am getting at i was extreemly lucky to of had the chance with just my 4, even though it didnt work for us, you never know how strong your lillte ones will be..but in the end you know whats right for you and DH good luck with it all
we are trying IUI now, with a low sperm count, yes this is a hard slog...
kee
me; 1st cycle jan 05, 4 follies, 1 fresh transfer 1 FT
9 cycles since all with follies too small, cancelled
heartbroken
9 cycles since all with follies too small, cancelled
heartbroken
Hi bnb,
Day 6 is still early. My last cycle I only had 4 follicles on day 7 but by day 12 (ET) my folicles had grown and I ended up with 11 eggs - 10 of which fertilized. Sadly I got a BFN but the point is that you never know.
I have been through three different cycles and during one of them I only had 6 follicles - the others I had 11 and 12. So, the number you have now isn't necessarily the number that you will always achieve. My body seemed to respond better to the Antagonist protocol (no down regulation) so you may speak to your doctor about that if there is a need in the future.
Best of luck!
Kelly
Day 6 is still early. My last cycle I only had 4 follicles on day 7 but by day 12 (ET) my folicles had grown and I ended up with 11 eggs - 10 of which fertilized. Sadly I got a BFN but the point is that you never know.
I have been through three different cycles and during one of them I only had 6 follicles - the others I had 11 and 12. So, the number you have now isn't necessarily the number that you will always achieve. My body seemed to respond better to the Antagonist protocol (no down regulation) so you may speak to your doctor about that if there is a need in the future.
Best of luck!
Kelly
update
2 fertilized through ICSI. transfer scheduled for thurdsay.
does anyone know what the average fertilized number is?
funny, i feel so protective of my poor 2. like they are the runts of the litter or something. silly.
i'm unsure how to feel going into the transfer. like i should be disappointed bc we only got 2? like i should be happy that we didn't wind up with nothing to transfer at all? cautiously optimistic? afraid to get my hopes up?
i don't know what to think or how to feel.
does anyone know what the average fertilized number is?
funny, i feel so protective of my poor 2. like they are the runts of the litter or something. silly.
i'm unsure how to feel going into the transfer. like i should be disappointed bc we only got 2? like i should be happy that we didn't wind up with nothing to transfer at all? cautiously optimistic? afraid to get my hopes up?
i don't know what to think or how to feel.
any time 50% or more fertilize, it is a good thing! The fact that you have two to transfer is also great! I have a couple of friends that only had 1 to transfer, and they each got BFPs and have their babies today. Just try to stay positive so that your little ones have a happy mommy to take care of them after the transfer.
good luck
good luck