Egg collection

[Kcrochet]

Hi everyone,

I had my egg collection this morning - it went well and I slept through the whole thing. Hubby was an amazing support which I was so grateful for after our wobble a few days ago.

They collected 8 eggs - I know that's not bad but I can't help feeling disappointed too. I had over 25 follicles at my last scan and the dr said based on their size they would hope to get at least 15 eggs. I was on a low dose of stims as I was considered at risk of OHSS so I just hadn't mentally prepared for not having lots of eggs to work with. It just goes to show you can't assume anything and shouldn't look too far ahead.

Now on tenterhooks to hear how many will fertilise, hoping I won't go crazy in the next few days.

I think I've partly had an eye on getting a couple of embryos to freeze as this is our only NHS round and it covers 1 fresh and 2 frozen, and it would really take the pressure off the fresh round if we had a frozen to fall back on. But now I'm thinking maybe I should try not to think about that for now... ahh either way it won't affect what actually happens I suppose! And I don't take my 8 little eggs for granted, proud of the wee mites.

Sending good wishes out to everyone on their journey xx

[KJLee]

Hey! Ohh don’t be disheartened, 8 is a great number. Just keep thinking positively 😊 wishing you all the best for this next bit, good luck! Xx

[Kcrochet in reply to KJLee]

Thank you! xxx

[Hidden]

8 is such a good number, well done- and hope you are enjoying some rest, you've earned it!

I felt in a similar way to you and we just managed to collect 4 after having 19 follicles in the lead up. We were really tense as 3 fertilised, and then only 2 made it to blastocyst, so we had them both put back (no freezing... so it was this or nothing!).

You only need one good one - we just had our viability scan yesterday, and there is a little one with a strong heartbeat in there, so just keep everything crossed and try to remember you just need one

Wish you all the luck in the world for the next few weeks, I hope everything goes just how you want. xxxxx

[Kcrochet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. It's so hard not to have expectations based on the scans, and then to suddenly have to change your outlook all of a sudden - all part of the roller coaster. Massive congratulations on the viability scan - that must be such a relief! And a strong heartbeat, yippee! Thank you it's so good to be reminded that not getting frosties doesn't spell disaster xxx

[Hidden]

Oh that's an amazing number. Well done and I am so glad that your husband was there and you got over the blip the other day. Fingers crossed for tomorrow xxx

[Kcrochet in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Camillage, you're a very reassuring presence on this forum 😊 xxx

[Tugsgirl]

Definitely try not to think about it, I know it’s hard. 8 is a good number 👍🏻 xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Tugsgirl]

Thank you! 😊 xx

[Lou7744]

8 is a fab number! 🤞 crossed for tomorrow’s phone call 💕 xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Lou7744]

Thank you! All feels a bit surreal as hubby and I sit here on the sofa watching a film! xx

[baby2016]

Glad it went well today and please don’t be disheartened, it really is all about the quality. On my last donor round we got 9 eggs, and 4 of those made it to blasts, and this round 11 fertilised and 3 made it to blasts, so you really can’t tell, quality not quantity! It’s hard waiting for each phone call but try and stay positive. Sending you lots of luck for next wednesdays results of which I hope you have some good blasts for freezing xx

[Kcrochet in reply to baby2016]

Ah thank you for reassurance! Yes quality not quantity. I'm going to have to learn to have faith and go with the flow a bit. I usually like to plan and research for anything and everything so this could be challenging! xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Kcrochet]

It’s the hardest part of infertility I think- the lack of control.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I had my collection yesterday too. So in the same boat waiting for the call to see how many are mature enough / have feetilised. This is our second round and I remember initially hoping for some for the freezer but then really just realised that one would be amazing and channelled my positive energy into that at transfer. We had 7 last time and two got to blasto so you’re in a good position. Hope you’re not too sore and good luck for today. x

[Kcrochet in reply to Hidden]

Hi! Thank you so much for your message - it is just the reassurance I needed after a terrible night's sleep. Yes you're completely right just to focus positive energy on having one good one to transfer fresh.

Aargh I'm so anxious to hear how many have fertilised!

How are you feeling after yours? And how are the nerves? Hope you are ok and get some great news when they phone.

Good luck us! 🙏xx

[Hidden in reply to Kcrochet]

I am trying to play it cool and distract myself until the call but that is defo easier said than done. It’s in the hands of those clever scientists now and a whole heap of nature so it’s so hard being out of my control! I had more stimulation and growth hormone drugs this round which made me feel crap so hoping that helps with the maturity etc.

I’m OK, just super sore but sure some good news will help. Crossing everything right now. Good luck us indeed. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🤞🏻 Xxx

[Kcrochet in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear you're in the wars after all the drugs and EC. You poor thing, rest up and drink water. It will all be worth it! xxx

[Luna11]

8 is a great number, I had 9 and 3 fertilised, 2 made it to blasto! I felt very disheartened at the time but am now 8weeks and waiting for my first midwife appt! Remember it only takes one!!

Hope the phone call goes well xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Luna11]

Thank you for sharing your success story - very encouraging! Congratulations on your pregnancy 😃 xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Eight eggs turned into five blasts for my friend. Their fresh transfer failed but they’re now pregnant with twins from their second double embryo transfer and still have two in the freezer which they now think they’re unlikely to use. They used the same clinic as us and eight mature seems to be around what our clinic wants, to get good quality as well as quantity.

[Kcrochet in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thank you!! 😊xx

[Newqgirl1]

Best of luck, so much of this process is wait and see and for us this is one of the worst bits!! 🤞

[Foodie23]

Thank you so much for this post. I’m about a week behind you and I had many of the same hopes and expectations. Reading your post and others like it has really helped me manage my hopes and expectations for our first round. I was pretty naive when we started I think. Now I’ll just be really happy if we get one to put back this time. If we don’t, but have a clear path to improving my chances in the 2nd round, I’ll be disappointed, but still feel quite positive and hopeful.

I really hope this round goes really well for you! Xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Foodie23]

Ah glad you are not far behind Foodie23! Yes it's quite a steep learning curve on this first round. That's such a good way of thinking about it - even if it doesn't work I'll be in a much better position going into the next round. There are so many variables that might need to be adjusted before it all comes together but we will get there!

How are your stims going? Hope you are feeling comfortable.

All being well I'll be going for transfer on Weds 🤗 xx

[Foodie23 in reply to Kcrochet]

It’s unbelievable how much has to go right in order for this to work. It’s a small miracle anyone gets pregnant.

Stims are going well. I’m a bit bloated and tired, but I’m certainly a lot more comfortable that I thought I’d be. I just had my first scan and there’s a nice cluster that look close to being ready with quite a few more that are smaller. They’re being quite conservative due to my high AMH. I have another scan on Wed, so hopefully I’ll know then when my egg collection will be.

Wed, that’s exciting! Only a couple more days. I hope your embryos are growing nicely and you’ll have something great ready for you on Wed. Xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Foodie23]

Glad to hear things are ticking along nicely. It's quite exciting the second week of stims, lots seems to happen! I did feel pretty emotional though just to warn you ! 😂

I'm finding the wait between EC and transfer pretty nerve wracking. I spoke to the embryologist today and our 5 embryos have made it to day 3 😇 A few of them are growing a bit faster than they should but hopefully can still get back on track for Weds.

We're doing it, keep on going 💪xx

[Foodie23 in reply to Kcrochet]

Good luck today! I hope your transfer goes smoothly and that this is finally your time! Hugs xx

[Kcrochet in reply to Foodie23]

Thanks so much! Feeling all kinds of emotions but excitement is definitely in there. How are you getting on? Any word on egg collection day? xx

[Foodie23 in reply to Kcrochet]

I’m sure I’ll be a ball of emotions when my transfer day comes as well. Happy to hear one of them is excitement!

My scan today went really well. Egg collection will be on Friday! Based on follicle size, they expect to get about 10 eggs. I’m really relieved and happy about the results and that my husband will be with me from Friday to Monday. It really couldn’t have gone any better! 😊 xx

[AJJ123]

I know this was posted a few days ago. I went through a cycle of IVM and at my scans prior to this I had around 30 follicles so I too expected a high number.

My follicles were removed immaturely - on purpose as it’s the IVM process and they retrieved 9. I too was a bit glum but truly it only takes one - maybe they didn’t get them all? It’s conceivable as some follicles could be in harder to reach areas or maybe they were a bit small so they left them. Your ovaries will thank you for it because each follicle grows to the size of a grape - ouch. Anyway good luck with it all xxx

[Kcrochet in reply to AJJ123]

Thank you xx

[Foodie23]

Haha, I’ve been a bit more emotional too. Not as much as I expected and no mood swings thankfully, but a bit teary at times. As much as I’m trying to manage my hopes and expectations, I can’t deny how much I want this baby.

How exciting! I’m so happy for you that your embryos are progressing nicely. It sounds like you should definitely have one to transfer tomorrow! You’ve got this! 💪 xx