Any Success Stories from low follicle producers

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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ARG
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Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Lancashire, UK

Any Success Stories from low follicle producers

Post by ARG »

Hi. I am on my 2nd IVF Cycle. In my first cycle I only produced 7 follicles and 6 mature eggs retrieved.

My 2nd cycle, the same, only 6 follicles produced at 8 days but they are averaging at 16mm. Has anyone had any success stories of BFP from such a low yeild?? Anything to keep me positive!!!...
Angela
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cornybaby
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: California

Post by cornybaby »

Hi Angela,

Well, I don't have a success story yet, but I'm hoping to be one. :D Honestly, I just thought I would tell you my story so that you know you're not alone. I am on my first IVF cycle and have been stimming for 10 days now. As of the u/s this morning, I only have 4 follicles. 1 at 15mm, 1 at 10mm, and 2 at 8mm. To say I am moving slowly is an understatement! But, the doctor hasn't given up on me yet, which I was really worried that they may cancel my cycle. But, we've increased my Menopur and dropped the Lupron altogether, and slowly but surely we are progressing. Everyone keeps telling me, it only takes one...so that's what's keeping me going! Hang in there...you just never know how much things can change in a day or two. Kepp me posted on your progress...

Lot's of luck to you...
kerribell
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Joined: Thu May 31, 2007 6:44 pm
Location: USA

Post by kerribell »

Angela-I was a poor responder as well. I only had 4 follies and my RE suggested switching me to an IUI. I protested and we went on with the ER. They got four eggs and only two fertilized (with ICSI). They did assisted hatching on the two remaining, put them back in me, and long story short, I'm 20 weeks pregnant with a singleton. Keep positive...it can happen! Good luck.
Me 38 DH 38
3 IUIs
1st IVF w/ ICSI June/July '07 BFP!!!
2nd IVF w/ ICSI Nov '09 BFN
3rd IVF w/ ICSI Feb '10 BFP!!!
cornybaby
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Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: California

Post by cornybaby »

Wow Kerribell! What a great story! Congratulations on you BFP! Your story makes it much easier to stay positive. If you don't mind me asking, exactly what is assisted hatching? Do you think that's what did the trick for you?
Kelley77
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Joined: Thu May 31, 2007 8:02 pm
Location: Chicago

Post by Kelley77 »

While I produced a decent number of follies.....they retrieved 17 eggs, of those only 5 were mature...and of those, only 2 fertilized w/ ICSI. One was fragmented (moderatalely) and both had Assisted Hatching.....I am now 10 weeks pregnant with twins! So, as you can see from my stories and others...it really does only take 1 - and it doesn't even have to be the best!

P.S. Assisted Hatching is a method, where they actually break the outer shield (zona pellucida sp?) so that it is easier for the embryo to hatch. While it can certainly help in specific situations, it can be 'somewhat' dangerous...if the embryologist is not very skilled....there is a lot of information on it. You can also click on the left side on this board under IVF and ICSI.



Good luck, I wish you the very best!
Anna07
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Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:47 pm
Location: Boston

Post by Anna07 »

Hi Angela, same as you, I produced 7 follicles, only 6 matured, they did ICSI on all 6. All 6 fertilized. 2 were transfered and I got a BFP with good Betas. I still can't believe it. I'll have my ultrasound this Friday.
I was soooo worry about my high FSH and the number of follicles and now I realize it only takes 1 fertilized embrio that implants to get pregnant. Best of luck to you!!!

Me: age 34- high FSH, 1st IVF cycle Oct/07. BFP
DH: severe male factor.
mimi77
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Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:28 am
Location: MN

Post by mimi77 »

i too don't respond well to meds. my first ivf re got 7 follies, 6 were mature, and 5 fertilized with icsi. 3 day xfered 2 (6 and 9 cell both grade 3, with fragmentation and uneven cell division)...we now have a healthy beautiful 2 year old boy. it really does just take one!

best of luck and try to stay positive the baby needs it.
me-30 dh-30
endometriosis
ttc since 2003
5 failed IUI's
1st IVF 11/04-healthy BB!
2nd IVF 3/07 BFN
3rd IVF 5/07 BFP - miscarried @ 6wks
4th IVF BFN
sharishu
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Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:32 am
Location: Israel, moved 6 years ago (+-) from NYC

You only need one good one :)

Post by sharishu »

ARG,
I'm in the 2ww of my second IVF cycle. I had 5 eggs retrieved, and 3 embryos. (I was actually thrilled with the news, since the first time I only had 3 eggs and 2 embies after the 2nd day.) 3 days ago, I had two of the 3 embryos transferred, and I was told they were 'great' (I'm in Israel, and they don't generally discuss the embryos in great detail here.) The biologist in the lab said 'looks like she'll have twins!' My point is, all you need are a couple of good embryos, who CARES how many eggs are retrieved. Yes, you do need to go through all the hormone stuff again if it's a BFN, but we'll cross that bridge bla bla bla, and in the meantime, we gotta think positive :lol: .

I remember on the day of my ET first time around, a bunch of us were waiting our turn in the waiting room, and this Nosy Nancy was going around the room asking how many eggs everyone retrieved. I swear I felt like I was in junior high, trying to hide my measly :oops: 2 embryo situation from the 'in-crowd'. My husband looked me squarely in the eyes and said "Hey, it's not a competition". That grounded me. Keep your eye on the ball, not on how many eggs everyone else is producing. Also, be glad you're not hyper-stimming, which is painful and dangerous. I believe that G-d will send us all our miracles, and He can make it happen with 50 embryos, or with 1. Think positive and lots of luck! All the best...

Shari

Me 35, severe endometriosis, tubes damaged
IVF 1: BFN
IVF 2: ???, thinking good thoughts
sharishu
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Posts: 538
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:32 am
Location: Israel, moved 6 years ago (+-) from NYC

Post by sharishu »

Hey, also, big congrats to all these wonderful success stories, they're inspiring. And thanks, ARG, for requesting them.

Shari
phoebe
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Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:17 am
Location: Honolulu,HI

Post by phoebe »

It's so great to read about everyone's experiences! I am in my 2nd IVF cycle. I only have about 7 follicles right now. I am praying that my ovaries will respond to the meds over the next few days so that I can continue and hopefully do an egg retrieval to get the ONE that I need!
Me - 30
DH - 33
TTC 2 years
12/06 LAP - severe endo
1st IVF - 7/07
Gracielope2
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Posts: 70
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:07 pm
Location: New York

Post by Gracielope2 »

Angela, my friend Christina had 8 follicles day of retrieval. 7 fertilzed, and on day 3 she transferred three and 2 out of the three took. She had twins. Try not to stress over how many you have, it's the quality of the eggs and the quantity. Best of Luck!
boo1
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Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:59 am
Location: Louisiana

Post by boo1 »

I love hearing these stories! I'm about to do my first IVF, hopefully ER late next week. I get my first u/s for follies this Friday and I know I'm going to be really nervous!
TTC #1
Age 42
M/C June 07, starting ttc in March 07
1 cycle with Clomid and HCG-didn't work
IVF #1- December 07, BFP..chemical pg
IVF #2- May 08, beta test 5/26
starstudded98
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Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:34 pm

Tomorrow will tell...

Post by starstudded98 »

I'm praying that I will be one of these success stories, I go in for my test tomorrow. I too only produced 5 eggs, they were able to inject 4, and 1 of them fertilized. I did a 5dt of a 10-12 cell embie, but it had not yet become a blast and we didn't do assisted hatching, so of course these past 2 weeks I've been second guessing about that. It's so hard to tell if I feel any different because of all the PIO and Estradiol patch, but honestly I really don't feel any different, other than a broken out face. But I'm staying positive and hopeful! :)
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