Low follicle count.

[anna0908]

Hi everyone. I'm due to start my first cycle next month but feeling like I need to prepare myself for it being unsuccessful. I only had 3 follicles on scan and an amh of 5.1. Feel like the odds are already against me. I'm 37 and didn't expect such low counts. I was just wondering if there are others out there with similar results and how you've got on. Would love to hear some success stories but also some realistic outcomes as I tend to cope best when I know what might be ahead. Trying to remain positive, but already had challenges - have had a battle the last few months over NHS funding. Our consultant said we were eligible but the fertility clinic said we aren't because my fsh level is over 9. The appeal is in but I couldn't cope with then stress of waiting for the result so have started the self funding route.

[Sweetpea76]

Hi, please do your best to remain positive.

I have even lower AMH levels, then they discovered a thyroid issue, which is being treated & controlled. I started treatment for our second attempt at ICSI knowing that I may not even get any follicles. I ended up with four follicles and egg collection resulted in four eggs. Two ended up being good quality and were transferred back yesterday.

I've been having weekly acupuncture and would recommend it as it's certainly helped me to remain calmer, more positive and I didn't seem to suffer with the medication side effects too much this time around.

Best of luck

Ps. I'm 39. My husband and I have spent the past three years getting to this point and after a failed fertilisation this year (which is extremely rare) spent 4 months appealing for CCG funding which was rejected so have self funded. It's been one hell of a roller coaster ride but this week has been wonderful knowing that we have overcome so many hurdles that kept cropping up. It is a tough journey, but please do not give up xx

[anna0908 in reply to Sweetpea76]

Your story definitely gives my hope. Amazing to hear you got 4 eggs from 4 follicles. I've been having acupuncture for the last couple of months too and really appreciated it. My acupuncturist makes me feel that I can do something to help the situation instead of feeling all my results are saying time is running out. I will keep everything crossed for you over the next couple of weeks xx

[Filmgirl101]

I'm a nonresponder to drugs. At 34 I was given on round 6, what was supposed to be a maximum dose of drugs. I flushed all of it! I had 1 follicle. There was a perfect egg inside that divided and did exactly what it was meant to do. She is now a rambunctious toddler! Round 8 (I know) I tried DHEA and baby asprin for 6 weeks before and leading up to egg collection. I had 6/7 follicles! Sadly ended in early miscarriage. But round 6 worked, so I have 1 tiny human!

[anna0908 in reply to Filmgirl101]

Helps to know all you need is one egg! Feeling hopeful

[Kernishp]

My AMH level was 1.96. I had short protocol and got 8 follicles, 7 eggs collected and fertilised using ICSI IVF, 3 made it to blastocyst stage, 2 were implanted and I am now 12 weeks pregnant with twins. I'm 33. You are right to prepare yourself for all the possible outcomes- I was convinced that it wouldn't work for us, even as we cleared each hurdle I was sure the next one would trip us up. I was utterly dumbfounded with the amazing result we got. Try to remember that IVF aims to bypass the parts of the reproduction process that aren't working so well- from helping you produce more eggs and selecting the best ones, to giving sperm a chauffeur driven ride to the 'main event' so a low AMH doesn't mean it won't work. Good luck for your first cycle. Xxx

[anna0908 in reply to Kernishp]

Think I am trying to protect myself. A few months back I thought I was pregnant naturally and had a huge crash and time off work when realised I wasn't. Think I am afraid to get too excited about prospect of success. Huge congrats on your success. Hope I will be joining you soon xx

[Kernishp in reply to anna0908]

I had counselling during my cycle and my counsellor told me that studies have shown that thinking positive has no effect on outcome when IVF is being used. It helps with 'natural' conception as a positive attitude leads to less arguments and more sex- therefore increased chances- but with IVF this situation is cancelled out. It sounds like you're doing it the right way and coping with it in the best way for you. My counsellor also gave me a good analogy- normally our hopes are like a rubber ball, they can be dropped from a great height and bounce back, but during an IVF cycle they are like an egg, drop them from too great a height and they will smash to pieces, so it's not surprising if you want to keep them hovering somewhere near the floor. Just make sure you give yourself a well done for each hurdle you clear. Xxx

[MrsDx]

My AMH was 3.8 and I only had 12 follicles. When it came to treatment my left overy didn't wake up as it was too damaged from my endo. Treatment only produced 5 follicles on my right overy and against all odds we still got 7 eggs.

I was devastated and because of my high fsh we had to go private. I also had to take DHEA for 3 months ahead of collection to boost the quality of any eggs we did get. At every turn we had bad news but it worked and I am currently 17 weeks pregnant with twins and still can't believe it's real. At 30 I thought it was game over but miracles can happen.

Good luck Hun and keep going xxx

Ps - I also had the scratch and embroglue which I would defo recommend xxx