Big drop off in fertilised eggs after EC

[Patches86]

I had my egg retrieval yesterday and am very grateful to have had 18 eggs collected - however - I got the embryologist’s call today to say only 7 fertilized overnight. I know I’m still very lucky to have that (and that there are some ladies who wish they could be in my position) but I’m feeling really deflated about the massive drop off and worried about the remaining ones.

The embryologist said majority were abnormal due to multiple sperm getting into the egg and the eggs inability to stop this happening. Seems like it’s called “polyspermy” from my googling.

I know I still have the hurdle of getting to day 3 and then to day 5/6, and I’m PGT-A testing due to my history, I can’t help but worry that I’ll have none left by the end of this. And then there’s the massive hurdle for it to even implant and stick around.

[Running79]

Hi

I think a lot of us feel your concern! Our second round was over in a flash

I had 12 collected 10 matured and fertilised - then the drop off came

We were left with 3 at day 5

One was put back, the other two PGTA tested

The one put back failed, the other two were chromosomally abnormal or missing chromosomes or had too many of the same. I was 40 at the time hence why I decided to have them tested - we had prepared ourselves to be left with nothing - our game plan was then to go to donor egg from my sister, which we ended up doing

During the 5 day wait we are in the hands of the gods and are pretty much helpless as to what the outcome is

🤞you’ll have some good ones

[Patches86 in reply to Running79]

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s sad how it can all be over so quickly isn’t it. One day it’s good news with the number collected and the next day it’s another story. I’m happy to hear you managed to proceed with a donor egg from your sister… all the best ❤️

[Running79 in reply to Patches86]

Thanks!

It’s sad and at times frustrating - because there is nothing you can do!!

The second call we had from our donor round they said we had 7 still going and doing well - by the day of transfer we were left with 3 🤷‍♀️ Just told they didn’t make it

But tbh the first transfer we are 14 weeks + 3 so as they say it does just take one

Best of luck

[daniellecb]

Hi Patches, did your embryologist advise you how many eggs were mature after the inital collection? I only ask as I had 14 eggs collected but only 8 were actually mature so the other 6 had to be disposed of. Of my 8, 7 fertilised and 5 (of different grades) made it to day 5, which I was very happy with. It seems like a good number compared to some unfortunate ladies on this forum. I know its easier said than done but try not to worry about the next few days and trust that everything is happening as it should and your embryologist is doing the best they can for your embryos. Keep yourself busy and positive. Hopefully you will end up with at least 50% by day 5. Remember it only takes that 1 embryro to work, quality over quantity. Thinking of you and wishing you all the luck in the world xxx

[Patches86 in reply to daniellecb]

Hi Danielle, thank for your response! Getting 5 blasts from your 7 fertilized is amazing, congrats 💜 I’m really hoping to be in a similar position but I just feel all the hope I had has been drained from that 1 phone call! Of my 18 collected, 16 were mature, so it seems the drop off was really in the fertilisation rate in my case. Hopefully the 7 left have some hope and it’s not a bad batch entirely x

[Maryc32]

Hi lovely. Just to say I was in exactly the same position in my first round. 17 eggs and only 7 fertilised. All 7 made blast in the end. It’s so unpredictable so try not to loose hope. Just think it’s potentially 7 embryos xxx good luck xx

[Patches86 in reply to Maryc32]

Thanks Mary, that does make me feel a bit more hopeful! Congrats on your BFP, I’m really hoping this one sticks for you xxx

[Maryc32 in reply to Patches86]

Thank you so much. I’m bleeding a little today so very anxious. I hope one of your lucky 7 is your baby xxx

[Patches86 in reply to Maryc32]

Understandable that you would feel that way but it absolutely could be nothing to worry about. I’m keeping you in my thoughts x

[Hidden]

We had the issue with multiple sperm getting into the eggs in one of our rounds. We were told that moving forward ICSI would prevent it so might be worth discussing that if you need to.

However don't panic yet. 7 fertilised is still a great number and no reason why they won't all go on to blastocyst. I know its hard as its all out of our control but you have to notch this down as unfortunate incident (that can be avoided in the future) and focus on thinking positively! Good luck x

[Patches86 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Daisy! Interesting to read that you unfortunately had a similar incident. I will definitely be discussing ICSI should I need another round. My previous IVF round I had a good fertilisation rate (12 of 16 - although none stuck around) so not sure what happened this time.

Trying to stay positive but my word it’s hard when you are wading through the trenches of what feels like one unfortunate incident after the next! As I know all of us here are doing!

[Hidden]

Totally the usual count for each round of mine. Went from 12 to 6 in 1 day but lucky to have 3 five day embryos 2 are my son's and the next donated 🥰. Good luck with everything

[Patches86 in reply to Hidden]

That’s a really happy story! Thanks for sharing!

[Hidden in reply to Patches86]

Try and stay as positive as you can. I remember how hard it was ☹️. Miracles do happen and they can happen to you too x

[Aussie83]

Hi Patches86, I also had 18 eggs collected at my last EC. We had half drop off as well, I think it’s pretty normal my dr said. We ended up with 7 blastocysts so don’t give up yet! 18 eggs collected is a great feat in itself & given 16 were mature it’s a good sign x

[Patches86 in reply to Aussie83]

Thanks for the positivity Aussie, trying not to give up on hope just yet 🤞

[Cook7786]

I had 7 mature eggs, 7 fertilised, 1 made transfer (my son) and one in the freezer. You are in a really good position right now 😘 good luck.

[Patches86 in reply to Cook7786]

Thank you, Cook. Happy to hear that from your 7 fertilised your son was born 💙 and gives me some hope!

[Marley15]

I only had 6 mature eggs by the next day I was down to 3 and only one made it to day 5 which unfortunately didn’t implant. Good luck xx

[Patches86 in reply to Marley15]

I’m sorry to hear that Marley. Thanks for your reply and wishing you lots of luck going forward xx

[Itwillhappen]

I feel your pain. I had 35 eggs collected and 2 fertilised! One made it to a 5 day morula. We couldn’t believe it. I suffered hugely after the massive egg haul. It’s such a roller coaster and seems it really can go any way at any moment. Good luck.

[Anonymous501 in reply to Itwillhappen]

Hi, can I ask, do you have PCOS?

[Itwillhappen in reply to Anonymous501]

No. one blocked tube (can’t be unblocked) and stage 3 endo. It was my first round of IVF. Apparently egg and sperm are not communicating 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[Patches86 in reply to Itwillhappen]

Have you had any luck since? Or any explanation from your clinic about why that is the case?

[Itwillhappen in reply to Patches86]

No not yet. Waiting to have appointment. Embryologist said the sperm and egg not communicating 🤷‍♀️

[TheFoxes]

I don’t have a positive story to tell as I don’t have a child but I have learned from reading the stories on this forum that the only thing that matters is getting one embryo that sticks. Don’t stress- you have loads of great chances from 7 fertilised. Good luck. ❤️❤️❤️

[Patches86 in reply to TheFoxes]

Thank you. I hope we will all have a positive story one day x

[gianna83]

Why didn't they use ICSI to prevent more than one sperm from getting into the egg?

[Patches86 in reply to gianna83]

I’m going to ask about this. I guess because this didn’t happen in my first round they didn’t think they would need to?