Mixed feelings after consultation

[lauren3189]

So that was a lot to take in. After thinking I was fine it turns out the dermoid cyst I had on my ovary when I was 18 has caused issues. I have only 4 follicles on that ovary. They said this means low number of eggs. My partner has very low sperm as we know. I just feel overwhelmed has anyone else had low follicles x

[anna0908]

I only had 4 follicles on both ovaries combined and still managed to get 5 or 6 eggs off my 1st 2 cycles as more follicles do show up during stimming. I'm assuming your other ovary has more follicles on it? Think you should be fine x

[lauren3189 in reply to anna0908]

Thank you was just worried as he kept saying it was low so made me feel anxious how are you with your journey now x

[anna0908 in reply to lauren3189]

I don't think they realise how using certain words and terms make us feel. You've already faced so many barriers and disappointments by the time you get to your consultant that any comments can hit so hard and make you feel you have an even bigger uphill struggle. My journey has been a little unusual - my bloods showed definite low egg reserves for my age, and did have 3 failed cycles despite getting some good embryos develop. I then somehow managed to fall pregnant naturally after nearly 4 yrs of trying! Having my 20 week scan next week. The majority of us get there somehow, but is such a long hard journey along the way. Keep as positive as you can and take 1 step at a time. X

[lauren3189 in reply to anna0908]

Thank you aww that's great xx

[E_05]

Sorry you left feeling worried, is your other ovary okay though and did you get answers to your other questions? Xx

[lauren3189 in reply to E_05]

Yes he said the other ovary was ok. Did they tell you your amount of follicles before treatment. I am confused as doesn't the medication stimulate the follicles so they increase in numbers? Xx

[E_05 in reply to lauren3189]

No I was never told, yeah it does and they scan you during the stimulation to make sure you don't over stimulate xx

[lauren3189 in reply to E_05]

Maybe they told me as they think it should be more for my age xx

[E_05 in reply to lauren3189]

How old are you? Maybe because you had the cyst they told you, I know every clinic tells different info to xx

[lauren3189 in reply to E_05]

28 yes that's true. Maybe they had to explain the difference in numbers xx

[E_05 in reply to lauren3189]

Yeah and although it wasn't what you was expecting to hear it's good you've been able to have some answers. Did they say about treatment and funding? Xx

[lauren3189 in reply to E_05]

Yes we will have icsi and they just need to do some more tests on my partner. Do follicles just grow in size or numbers xx

[E_05 in reply to lauren3189]

It makes the follicles grow to produce mature eggs. During stimulation your monitored to see how your follicles are growing and when they get to the right size xx

[lauren3189 in reply to E_05]

Thank you makes sense xx

[emmab178]

I only have one ovary and I'm 38. I had 5 eggs collected But only three were mature. Had icsi and all fertilised and made it to blast. Got one put back in that's at 21 weeks and one in the freezer.

We take quality over quantity in this game and it only takes one.

[lauren3189 in reply to emmab178]

That's a great story thank you was this your first cycle x

[emmab178 in reply to lauren3189]

Yes it was.

Even if you have low eggs on one ovary you still have the other one. They were probably just pointing it out to you so you were aware.

[lauren3189 in reply to emmab178]

i think i was upset when he said thats not great news xx

[emmab178 in reply to lauren3189]

Well it's not great having to resort to ivf in the first place, lol. Jeez some of these Drs need a few communication and empathy workshops. Ok its not perfect for being 28 on one ovary but the other is functioning fine.

[lauren3189 in reply to emmab178]

fingers crossed they can stimulate them

x

[emmab178 in reply to lauren3189]

Did they test for your amh?

[lauren3189 in reply to emmab178]

I think so all I know is they said everything is okay but you have low reserve? Xx

[Hidden]

I have bilateral endometrioma, one was grapefruit size 8cm, the other was 4.5 cm and I've had 2 surgeries on each ovary. I only ever had 1 or 2 follicles when scanned outside of IVF.

I then risked IVF, despite being told I was unlikely to respond, i got loads of follicles (I was on high dose Gonal F), out of those follicles (about 15 or more grew) i got 9 eggs, 8 fertilised and 5 made it to blastocyst. I have a toddler now, and 1 frostie left. And i was nearly 40 then.

The IVF drugs help stimulate the follicles, so don't worry about a cancelled cycle. Given you have one good ovary, I think that will respond well. My less damaged ovary did amazingly well and made up for the other one, which admittedly did lag behind.

When are you starting treatment? xxx

[lauren3189 in reply to Hidden]

aww thank you this has given me hope. They said they will give me the highest medication. I didn't know that follicles can appear so thats good to know. More tests next week on my partner xx