First cycle ok, second cycle pretty close to a bust

[FutureBabyMaybe]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the group. I'm 35 and after asking a query about fertility and egg freezing at the gynaecologist last year, I had some tests. Results were lower AMH and follicle count for my age (still just in range) so I decided to proceed with egg freezing as I don't currently have a partner but would like to keep my options open for having children in the future.

I did my first cycle in Nov18 and had 4 follicles at theatre size by day 9 so triggered and actually got 7 that all successfully froze when collected on cycle day 11. I have just completed a second cycle today and unfortunately the results were not so good. I didn't stimulate anywhere near as well despite following the same protocol and only ended up with 1 egg retrieved that thankfully successfully froze. I don't know why things went so differently this time. I did stay on OCP active pills over when my next natural cycle was due to start due to travelling from the UK to Australia for the cycle and I'm not sure the down regulation quite worked. Any ideas? Has anyone else had significantly different results from one cycle to the next?

I have a follow up with my specialist next week. Just feeling a little down. I know one is better than none and it only takes one good egg, it is just disappointing, especially having travelled to Australia to do this cycle and considering the costs involved. TIA for your support.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi FutureBabyMaybe. I can fully understand your disappointment with not being so successful during this last cycle. Perhaps you need to try different stimulation drugs and/or a different type of cycle. All depends upon your current AMH test as to whether you will be able to produce more eggs for freezing. You did well the first time, so that's reassuring to know that you have a good supply . Obviously I wish you well with any future rounds you try, and for better results. Diane

[FutureBabyMaybe in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks DianeArnold. We were looking to try an agonist cycle this time but I struggled to find someone in the UK that would provide the agonist medication so I could start taking it before I left the UK for Australia. My UK GP was good and offered counselling. She contacted the CCG, but they advised her a fertility specialist should prescribe it and none of the ones I contacted got back to me in a timely manner or were then willing. I'm meeting up with my FS next week so will try and make a decision before I head back to the UK and if Agonist is the recommendation, will try and take the medication back with me to the UK.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to FutureBabyMaybe]

Hi. Yed, I think that would sound like your best bet. Fingers crossed you can get the medication there to bring back. Have you looked at www'hfea.gov.uk and see whether you can get info from a clinic near where you will be staying as to whether they can do an agonist cycle. The commonly used drug is Cetrotide in the UK. Good luck. Diane

[FutureBabyMaybe in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you for the information. I haven't looked there. In Australia they use Lucrin (Leuprolide). In the UK the equivalent is Leuprorelin, but I think a lot of clinics use Buserelin. In Australia fertility drugs are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), so they are a lot cheaper than privately in the UK.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to FutureBabyMaybe]

Hi. You could buy them there, but check that you can use them in the UK beforehand. We do use Buserelin over here Diane

[FutureBabyMaybe in reply to DianeArnold]

Will do. I would be buying them with the look to use them in conjunction with a cycle in Australia, but starting agonist medication in the UK first.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to FutureBabyMaybe]

Okey doke. Good luck. Diane

[Paris1771]

Hi dear!

I have almost the same experience with stimulation but we wanted a whole ivf process! My first cycle was good as I had 11 eggs collected and 5got fertilised and 3 got matured! One good embryo and two top quality blastocycts! However they did not implant ,the dr’s were satisfied as Im a good responder! My second cycle was a disaster! Got only 3 eggs and no fertilisation! My third one which completed last week,was a little bit better as I had 4eggs that were extracted from8 follicles! 3 got fertilised but 2 embryos at the end! The doctors have no idea but Im quite older than u(recently turned 40)! I dont know the reason but it seems every cycle is different and stress plays a strong role on it( in my idea at least)!

Also try to get some vitamins as ubiquinol, and multivitamins like pregnacare before conception to boost the quality of your eggs! Hope it helps a little bit!

My fingers are crossed for you!

By the way u r doing perfect as freezing your eggs for the future! Take care and good luck! xxx

[FutureBabyMaybe in reply to Paris1771]

Thank you Paris1771 for your kind words. It is not great we are all going through this but it helps to know you are not alone. Obviously no TWW for me but feels like this OWW (One Week Wait) to see the fertility specialist is going to be a killer. I just keep going over and over it in my head asking what could I have done differently and what happened to muck this cycle up so bad? I totally agree with you about stress though. I am an accountant and the last 4 months at work (Jan - Mar especially) have been stressful with year end. I downloaded the mindfulness app this year and have been using that to help relieve stress, exercising, etc and eating pretty healthy. I took Elevit pre-natal vitamins, same as last time and folic acid before that. Best of luck for your transfers in the future. I wish you every success!

[Paris1771 in reply to FutureBabyMaybe]

Your welcome dear! It’s true! When we hear about our common problems, it reassures that we r not alone! It’s good that u have1WW instead of 2 but it’s too tough anyway for both!

As u said job stress is too hard coz we can not skip it easily! Just try to relax and calm your mind as much as u can!

The vitamins u take seem very good, just ask your dr about ubiquinol as well if u would like to try! It helped me to get pregnant naturaly but it ended after5 weeks! Also accupuncture is the one that helpes me alot!

Best of luck to u too honey! Xxxx