Some advice

[Aussie83]

Hi all, I hope everyone is well!

I am wondering if anyone has had this experience & can comment; we just did a fresh cycle and I only had one follicle that seemed viable at my last scan, the others all stopped growing at 2nd scan.

The clinic went ahead with egg collection and we only got the one egg and it didn’t fertilise.

I have read a lot online and it seems most clinics would cancel a cycle if this was the case, or at least give the patient the option to decide for themselves.

We got nothing like that, I was just told ‘there is only one potentially viable egg but the doctor thinks it’s best to do egg collection’.

I didn’t think to ask about cancelling and just blindly followed them. But reading up now I can see that wasn’t necessarily the right advice.

I feel like they should’ve sat me down and given me the options. Especially when the odds were so incredibly low that we’d get anything. We could’ve got some money back and been able to go into another cycle in a few months.

Now we feel like the whole cycle was a waste of time and money and we can’t afford it again for awhile.

I feel like they had a duty of care that wasn’t given.

Has anybody been in that situation and been given the option to cancel?

[Seeyoulat]

Hi Aussie83, I think it’s absolutely worth asking your clinic why they proceeded with egg retrieval when there was one follicle. My clinic’s policy is there must be a minimum of 3 viable follicles before they do egg collection. Does your clinic have a similar policy? I understand what you mean by trusting the clinic and following their advice though. You invest so much into this process and rely on the expertise of the clinic. It’s so hard isn’t it?

I’m surprised the clinic didn’t suggest changing your stimming meds which is what happened to me. I didn’t respond well to my first med (Bemfola) and only had one follicle at my first scan. The clinic then changed me to Menopur and at my next scan 2 days later I had 6 follicles and continued to grow more.

[Aussie83 in reply to Seeyoulat]

Thank you for the reply. That’s really interesting your clinic changed your meds mid cycle. I didn’t know that was an option. Perhaps another thing I need to mention to them..

Yes it’s so hard! You put so much trust into these professionals and you think they will give you every option available. I feel abit like we were just a number to get money from..

I don’t think they have that policy on egg collection. I will look into it now tho. That makes a lot more sense, what is the point in collecting one or two eggs, the chances are so low.

We were on our 3rd cycle too and thats another reason I think they owed us more communication.

Thanks so much for your advice x

[Seeyoulat in reply to Aussie83]

I don’t know whether changing meds mid-cycle is common but they changed mine after 7 days when I didn’t respond well to the first meds.

I feel the clinic should’ve explained all your options so you were able to make an informed decision.

Ivf is gruelling and I’ve felt like it’s a hurdling marathon so I hope you can take something from this cycle and use that knowledge towards a successful round next time. Sending lots of positivity and warm wishes your way xo

[6years_nobaby-lowres]

Hi aussie this happened to us last year and they didn't really go through the options with us. It has happened with 2 follicles on our current cycle and our clinic has been very clear about the options which I found very reassuring. We opted to go head on this cycle but it was completely our choice and fingers crossed it goes well and we have eggs in both on Monday and they fertilize🤞 can I ask what clinic you are with?

[Aussie83 in reply to 6years_nobaby-lowres]

Hello, that’s so good your current clinic have been clear with you this time around. I hope you get both of those precious eggs on Monday 🤞

Were you with a different clinic the first time when they weren’t clear with you?

I’m with Create/ABC in London. They do low dose meds to get quality over quantity & maybe that’s why, but I still believe going ahead with one follicle with no options to us isn’t right 😞

[6years_nobaby-lowres in reply to Aussie83]

Yes we were with create last year but the Bristol one so sounds like we had a similar experience. Moved to crgw this time and they approach it all very differently so we will see if we have a good result 👍

[Aussie83 in reply to 6years_nobaby-lowres]

Hmm that’s interesting, they obviously have a habit of doing this then. I think we will move clinics now too.

All the best for your cycle, I hope you get those eggs x

[6years_nobaby-lowres in reply to Aussie83]

Yes dont get me wrong we went for it but don't feel like our options were explained really. Felt very well looked after there while going through it and the nurses etc were great. The follow up after a chemical pregnancy sold the move for us as the consultant wasn't great and we felt that he just wasn't that interested in us at all. You have to do what feels right ✅

[24hopefuls]

Hi, yes my last round I didn't respond well to the meds so the nurse was really clear about the options, either go ahead with egg collection of 1 follicle (but stated there was only 50% chance it had an egg in it) or they gave us the chance to take the trigger and try naturally. Trying naturally meant we didn't use up our Nhs funded go. We went the natural route but it didn't work. Am now on a different protocol and I seem to still have a poor response. I asked what might happen if I only have 1 or 2 and nurse said they could still go ahead with collection...personally I think they want me to use my funded go and bugger off but I have to wait to see what my scan shows on Monday. Anyway...they should have given you all of your options and let you make the final decision, especially if you are funding this yourselves. Best of luck with everything, this is such a tough journey but the support of this forum makes so much difference x

[Aussie83 in reply to 24hopefuls]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

That sounds exactly how it should be, your decision, regardless of whether you are funded or private.

And you were Able to have another round because they were clear with you. It must’ve given you a little peace of mind even tho it was unsuccessful.

I didn’t even know there was only a 50% chance of there being an egg in a follicle!

I have also had a poor response on both my fresh cycles so I know how you feel. Got two eggs first time.

I have been on the lowest dose of meds so thinking I need a new protocol.

When I was in for egg collection on wed they told me I had one egg and then I heard them tell the girl next door she had collected 32 !! Was a little disheartening to say the least.

I know, this forum and everyones support is SUCH a help isn’t it. Makes it that little bit easier.

Thank you - good luck for your cycle too. Hopefully over the weekend more follies will grow 🙏🏻x

[24hopefuls in reply to Aussie83]

Thanks, I'm sorry your clinic didn't help you with your situation the way they should have. And thats awful that you overheard about someone else's collection of 32 eggs, I know I would find that so hard too. We always think the clinics know best but we have to be our own advocates and have our end goal in mind always to try and make the decision that will give us what we want. It's so tough this whole journey and when your body doesn't respond it feels awful, I know you understand too 😔 Do you have a plan for what to do next? I'm thinking to go private now as nhs seem to only want to give high dose meds which now I know don't work for me

[Aussie83 in reply to 24hopefuls]

Yeah I know what you mean about advocating for yourself. Sometimes I am really strong with it and other times I’m a ball of emotion.

I am going to take a few months now and do more research before I decide where to go next. I am 38 in jan and I have been so focused on getting pregnant before that date but I’ve realised I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself.

I definately want to change clinics as well. I am thinking about going to a European clinic in the new year (if Covid doesn’t lock everything down again).

Have you heard of any good clinics in your area?

Can I ask what dose of meds you were on? I have always been on 150iu; Menopur this round, first round Bemfola.

[joey81 in reply to Aussie83]

Hi Aussie83, i too put pressure on myself to get pregnant by 40 (which i am in january). But after this cycle i told myself im going to just go back to trying naturally again every month. Every time i do a cycle, i feel like i lose 3 months of ttc naturally. As a poor responder i dont get more than 1 or 2 eggs anyway so figured may as well try naturally. Its so frustratingly difficult being a poor responder!

[Aussie83 in reply to joey81]

Yes I think putting too much pressure on to be pregnant by a specific time might actually be doing the opposite, adding stress etc. but it’s so hard not to isn’t it 🥺

Being a poor responder is not cool is it! It’s already bloody hard enough, why that too!

Might be really good for your body to have a break from meds and the stress of cycles for abit, you never know.

thats also what we will do until the new year.. eat healthily and try to be chilled out..try being the operative word👆🙄

[24hopefuls]

Oh don't get me wrong I'm a complete emotional wreck at the moment, you put trust in the doctors that they will do everything they can for us to get pregnant but when i hear about things like your story it's just disappointing and it makes you wonder if they could be doing more. I know what u mean, I was hoping it would happen for me before Christmas but I think putting time pressures just makes the stress worse. I'm now thinking of looking into a Birmingham clinic which specialises in natural modified IVF, focuses on fewer follicles and quality rather than trying to get large numbers of follicles. I have low amh and it's suited to that. Do you know your amh? I'm currently on 150 bemfola and 300 menopur so I'm on the 450 max dose

[Aussie83 in reply to 24hopefuls]

Yeah time pressures definately just stress us more, but it’s hard not to think about it isn’t it!

Okay yes I know of those clinics.

I’m still getting my head around what dose should work for who tbh.

I haven’t had my AMH tested but I’m going to do it this week.

My clinic did a scan when I first saw them a year ago & said I had a good antral follicle count so therefore good egg quality & I should ‘work’ on low dose meds.

Tbh they didn’t explain things to us properly and it has taken me until now to start to understand the different protocols etc.

My clinic only take patients up to 38, with low BMI and good egg quality as they only use 150iu dose meds.

They kinda follow the same ethos as the clinic you are going to go to.

So confused if that is right for me or not given the poor responses.

Maybe I need to prioritise getting this AMH test so I can see what protocol is actually best for me.

As you can see my clinic haven’t really helped me a lot at all & im starting to realise this!! Feel like I’ve been so naive until now ☹️

[Purple276 in reply to Aussie83]

Hey,

I'm so sorry you had that experience. I definitely agree you should have been given the choice. I can appreciate your clinic specialises in low egg numbers and quality over quantity but if your AFC shows good numbers of follicles there's no reason why you shouldn't get a higher number.

From my experience and these forums the clinic should look at you as an individual and adjust your protocol to try and get the better results. I have max 6 follicles when I first went to my clinic so they put me on the highest dose on menopur and bemfola like 24hopefuls. I had 3 follicles but as that was good we went ahead. Next round they are increasing the trigger as spotted they only got the eggs from the right and the two in the left were not quite mature. I asked about other options (I've been doing loads of research through forums and listening to podcasts) and they explained what they thought would work best but said if felt strongly would adapt to other meds if I'd prefer.

I would definitely complain - you have to be your own advocate in this situation. Also as you are paying as the customer you have the right to raise a complaint to understand why they didn't suggested increasing stimulation and if they say they don't do it then they should have suggested you might be more successful else where rather than taking your money and wasting time. Be firm! And look at having a consultation at a new clinic to see what they would suggest based on your results. It's a pain to move but might be totally worth it.

Good luck! 😊

[Aussie83 in reply to Purple276]

Hey, thank you for the advice. You make a good point about them taking my money rather than suggesting I might be better elsewhere if they could increase my doses. Completely unethical.

I think I’ve learned from this and all of your lovely advice on here that I need to do more research as well. I thought I had my head around stuff but I’m feeling very naive now.

It sounds like your clinic is listening to you and that’s what we all need.

I’ve heard a little about increasing the trigger, I hope it works for you x

[Purple276 in reply to Aussie83]

No problem at all. I'm so grateful to forums like this as none of us know anything about it when we start!

I've learnt the hard way that you have to be firm about what you want, do your own research and not to be afraid to speak up if you are unhappy. I always worry about coming across as harsh when actually it's just being assertive... 😊

Good luck xx

[joey81]

Hi, they should have abandoned it. In my first cycle i had 2 follicles (19,14mm). And they advised me to cancel it so that i dont lose my nhs funding. I felt really grateful. Egg collection is a major part of the cost so if you cancel that, clinic wouldnt make so much money from you. You could spk to HFEA and see if they have any guidance. Good luck with it all xx

[Aussie83 in reply to joey81]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll have a look into the HFEA, good idea.

Your clinic were obviously thinking about you so that’s really nice and how it should be!

Thank you x

[joey81 in reply to Aussie83]

So far i used 2 nhs clinics in london and i must say i got really good customer service from both. If i decide to do another cycle in the future i think i would choose the second one again (chelsea westminster hospital).

[Aussie83 in reply to joey81]

Oh cool, thanks for the recommendation. I did IUI’s with them actually, they were lovely.