First scan after 7 days of stims

[Camkid12]

So, just a little update really. And If anyone wants to chip in with any tips or experience that would be fab 😊

I had my baseline scan on 5th aug and everything was fine; lining nice and thin and ovaries quiet. Started stims (150iu of menopur) last Friday, so been injecting the last 7 days. Had my first check-up scan today and I can’t help but be disappointed. Lining was at 7mm, but hardly any follicles- I think she said 4. Two were measuring about 10mm, the others smaller. The nurse said they expected more to be happening, and spoke to the consultant who has said to increase to 300iu menopur starting tonight. She just said that ‘it happens’ and I’ve to go for another scan on Monday.

I’ve been trying not to get my hopes up and take it one step at a time as it’s our first ever treatment, but I guess I still expected good news 😔

[Hidden]

Hello, just reaching out to say I feel you and hear you, it’s bloody tough when you don’t get the news you’re hoping for and you’re in limbo. I had my first scan today at day 5 (I’m on short protocol, I’m guessing you’re on the long protocol?) and only 4 follicles 6-8mm. What was your baseline amh and AFC? I think the increased dose of drugs sounds like the right choice by the clinic, it’s the long wait til monday for us both now! I’m sending you all the very best x

[Camkid12 in reply to Hidden]

Hey. Thank you for your reply🥰 it’s sooo bloody tough isn’t it! Yes, I’m long protocol. AMH was 9.4 and they thought that was ok (I’m 35). Not mentioned AFC, should I ask about that? Is this your first round? I guess you were expecting more at your scan today too, are they changing your dose as well?x

[Hidden in reply to Camkid12]

Hello, this is my second cycle. I was, like you, hoping for better. The one thing that had improved after my miscarriage was the follicles and amh, and today I have less follicles than the equivalent stage in my last ivf cycle (I started the long protocol nearly a year ago). I had 8 follicles last ivf cycle at my first stimulation scan and that was with a lower baseline AFC (antral follicle count) of 5, whereas had 10 at baseline AFC 2 months ago (and a double in my AMH from 4-8) and now just 4 follicles (6-8mm) showing today.. Your clinic will have done a baseline antral follicle count scan when they first assessed you, do you remember the number you had? I’m sending you so many best wishes. You try not to be pessimistic but when you feel like your skirting the edge of the cycle being viable to continue its really hard xx

[Camkid12 in reply to Hidden]

I’m so sorry about you loss, life just isn’t fair sometimes 😔 all of the numbers are still a bit of a mystery to me at the moment. Science and our bodies can do amazing things, but can also let us down too! At my baseline she was very blasé and just said nothing was happening, which was a good thing. I’ll ask on Monday though. I had a few questions for today, but everything just went completely out of my head! Try to have a relaxing weekend, and I really hope you get some good news on Monday.xx

[LifetoCherish]

This happened to me early and the nurse said the same to us which really disappointed me and I was quite upset. None of my follicles responded apart from one and it was below 6mm so they cancelled. (10mm is actually quite good after 7 days).

My second go at stims we had a break for a few months because COVID hit and they changed my protocol slightly; stronger to 450 menopur. This seemed to help a lot.

I also read it’s quite common for the first few stims to not be great as your body is getting used to the drugs and the more drugs are in your body the more your body accepts it and starts to do what it’s supposed to.

Hopefully this reassures you xx

[Camkid12 in reply to LifetoCherish]

Hey. Thanks for the reply, that’s good to know, and makes me feel a little better. I know there’s a bit of of trial and error to start with so hopefully the higher dose and a few extra days will help. It all feels a bit overwhelming, but trying to keep it together! Where are you on your journey now?x

[LifetoCherish in reply to Camkid12]

I think the beginning part we assume should be the easy part as the media always bang on about egg freezing as though it’s simple to do, but doing ivf we find out otherwise.

I’m glad you feel better, you’ve still got plenty of protocols to try and your body will start to accept it all more. As you say trial and error is all part of it and we’ve had a lot of that on our journey.

I’m currently 10 weeks pregnant which I can’t still believe! My journey was very up and down to this point so I’m still very cautious but also excited for every day.

Keep us posted on how you get on and other ladies will hopefully be able to give you their protocols etc. That helped me massively to push for what we thought best. My doctor was quite good at informing us and explaining the whys and how’s.

Sincerely hope the extra drugs help xx

[Camkid12 in reply to LifetoCherish]

Awww, congratulations! That’s amazing 🥰 I hope you can start to relax a little more and enjoy being pregnant. The nurses at our clinic are really lovely, but I feel like to them it’s just another day at the office and they’ve seen it all before. Whereas I want details!!! 😂 x

[LifetoCherish in reply to Camkid12]

Thank you lovely ☺️ I’m trying my best to enjoy it-the worry doesn’t stop 🙈! I’d never had a BFP before so every day is a blessing 😍

Haha yes I know what you mean re the nurses. They can be very blasé when we want to know every tiny detail and why that’s offered etc. It definitely helped me to be well researched and this forum covered 90% of that for me. It’s super helpful for info as well as mentally, to know you aren’t alone. Someone has always been where you are.

Please let us know how Monday goes, I’m rooting for you ❤️ xxx

[MrsOrangejuice]

Please don't worry - everyone has a different response and just as an observation from the comments on here, most people end up fine (if a little disappointed, but that's probably just naturally high expectations as we would probably all like to be the one who gets 25 eggs with no OHSS). I had a very weird cycle last time - one dominant follicle (nearly 15mm) on day 7 of stims and they wanted to cancel. But I took ages to respond the previous round so I begged to keep going. Two days later I had 4, then 6 then 9 by day 17 including a batch of tiddlers. The biggie calmed down and the rest caught up. That resulted in 100% fertilization and 5 good 5 day blasts. So 4 at day 7 and your measurements sound much more normal! Hopefully upping the meds will bring a few more along, but even if it doesn't you may get 4 great eggs.

Also, and this may not be the right call for all situations, but I try to take some nurses' comments with a pinch of salt - there's one at my current clinic who uses quite alarming language and seems to jump to worst cases, like 'this is not normal' and 'something is very wrong' (as you see, in the end it wasn't!). That's not to say don't follow advice but sometimes comments like you had can sound more worrying than the reality, especially to our heightened emotions.

Best of luck x

[Camkid12 in reply to MrsOrangejuice]

Thank you 😊 there’s just no predicting the numbers or outcome I guess, it’s all a mystery! Wow, 100% fertilisation is amazing!! That language sounds terrifying, I’d be freaking out at that. Glad to hear that you got great results though. I’ll try to just go with the flow, and not make too much out whatever happens on monday. Wishing you lots of luck too.x