Do follicles still grow after trigger injection?

[PaulaDag]

Hi,

I was always told they do still grow after trigger and not just mature but a nurse today at my 2nd stims scan said after trigger they don’t grow more but only mature. Which is true?

I’m a bit worried as follies are growing at different rates and EC was supposed to be Friday but she said she wants to talk to a doctor about it being Wednesday or Thursday instead so not to lose the lead follicle. I am waiting to hear. This is what I have:-

Left ovary - 1x 21.4mm, 1x9.1mm

Right ovary - 1x17.6mm, 1x16.6mm, 1x15.1mm & 1x11.5mm

She said max is 24mm and minimum 17mm for EC. Lining 7.2mm but banking so no transfers planned.

What are your thoughts? I wanted to wait for the others to catch up but also don’t want the lead to over mature.

I was hoping for 5 but it seems as if the 11.5mm won’t catch up if i trigger tomorrow night. Plus I’m worried the 21.4mm will over ripen. What would you push for? I’m almost 43 so everyone counts

Xx

[Jumpppy]

I have my best follicle growth spurt after trigger - in case it helps. Generally, I think they say follicles at least 12cm-14cm or greater at EC are most likely to be mature. So that gives you 4-5 good chances.

For me and other older women follicles over 20cm can be over mature by EC, so Dr may agree with your thinking that it is too late for lead and want to wait to recruit more.

Best of luck hopefully others have more insight to provide.

[PaulaDag in reply to Jumpppy]

Hi Jumpppy, thanks for the reply. I hope you and bump are doing well :).

It's weird as my clinic seems to change their minds on whether they continue to grow after trigger depending on what suits the circumstances 🤔

Last cycle they definitely told me they continue to grow and mature. This cycle no they don't continue to grow , only mature. Talk about confusing.

They told me minimum of 14mm and max of 24mm to go to egg collection so we'll see I guess.

Dr said Thursday for egg collection so I trigger tonight and they're not concerned on the lead being 21.4mm yesterday morning. Hmmm I am still concerned.

I might ask them to scan me before EC to check the follicle sizes. x

[Jumpppy in reply to PaulaDag]

Hope all went/goes well with EC - sending lots of good vibes your way

P.s. popped early but everyone's happy and healthy. Hope you're next xoxo

[PaulaDag in reply to Jumpppy]

Hi Jumppy, I'm just wading through my inbox which is a complete mess and hadn't read this until now 😩. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful bundle...that's amazing 😍❤️. I hope motherhood is going well.

Yes we are marching through these back to back embryo banking cycles - 2 EC is next week. Roll on the 3rd to get it over with before xmas. Then its just the transfers to contend with 😏😔

xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, mine have always grown a bit more after trigger so I think it does happen! Wishing you lots of luck xx

[PaulaDag in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks, yes that what I always thought but yesterday I was categorically told they only mature and don't grow after trigger...hmm. Don't trust clinic lol.

I am worried the lead will be overripe as it was 21.4mm yesterday morning. Do you know what your clinics min and max are for trigger or EC?

Do you ever have a scan to check follicle sizes on day of EC?

How are you doing? I read somewhere you had a great PGS result? I'm so pleased for you 👍😊

xx

[Millbanks in reply to PaulaDag]

It’s so tricky but I think you have to trust your clinic. I’ve never had follicles grow to that size so I have no idea what the max size is! I was lucky to get any eggs last time after spilling the trigger at midnight, they said they would just sedate and see, whereas I did wonder if they would scan again, but nope 🤷🏼‍♀️

I’m sure it’ll be all good, it’s hard to let go and trust them but sometimes that’s all we can do…

Yes we got 6 normal embryos out of the 8!! Absolutely floored me, I was expecting 1 at the most. Just gives us a bit more wriggle room xxx

[Milly_Oz]

I have asked the same question at my scans before and they told me they don’t grow much more after trigger. However they generally grow 2mm per day and on previous cycles some have grown 6mm in a couple of days.Last time my clinic wanted to grow mine bigger to try and get more maturity and that was to 20-22mm before triggering. It’s a bit of a judgement call. You look like you have a few at decent size.

Good luck!!!

[PaulaDag in reply to Milly_Oz]

Hi Milly,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I find the nurses at my clinic contradictory as I've been told the same thing by one nurse that they don't grow after trigger and then another nurse tells me they do 😏

I'm hoping the lead follicle growth had slowed down and the littler ones spurt on. I've asked for a scan before EC but I'm not sure if they'll agree to do it.

They called the Dr and they agreed EC on Thursday and the lead should be OK... I'm not convinced but we'll see xx

[Milly_Oz]

Ps if you’re still not convinced by nurse then you could ask to chat to the Dr about it so they can explain their rationale.

[Maui2020]

Hey there, I have my egg collection on Thursday too and trigger tonight. I had a big lead follicle early on and wondered the same thing as you. The sonographer told me sometimes they let them grow to 30mm! From my experience, different Drs have their own ideas on protocol here. My current clinic has pushed my stims for nearly 2 weeks to get all the smaller follicles- now that you mention it, maybe at the expense of the lead one.

Another Dr I sought an opinion from wanted to keep the follicle numbers lower as he was of the opinion it won’t affect final blastocyst numbers ie.quality over quantity.

It may help to know my follicles kept growing overnight even without any FSH stimulation as apparently all of the oestrogen in your body helps them along. I’m guessing that the clinic just don’t know how the follicles will respond, which is why you get the contradictory answers, but guess we have to trust they have enough experience to make the best decision.

That’s always been a hard thing for me as i question everything but they have all the information and statistics to hopefully give you the best results. Good luck to you xx

[PaulaDag in reply to Maui2020]

Hi, I am catching up on my inbox and just read this. Thanks for the message, really helpful as I go into another EC. Yes I'm the same and question everything, its so hard to trust them but i try haha. Hope you're ok and we both get some good luck soon xx