Feeling deflated - low follicle numbers

[RedFox23]

After feeling excited for my day 5 scan today I now feel really deflated. My original baseline scan, when we were initially accepted for ivf, showed 17 follicles but today my scan showed only 4.

My consultant couldn’t explain the huge fluctuation and could only say he was surprised. He said as it’s an nhs funded round , our only one, we cannot cancel or we lose the funding. I feel like we’re doomed to fail before we even start.

Has anyone had really low follicle numbers and gone on to have more in later scans? Praying my numbers improve even though the consultant said that was doubtful and to focus on the four we have.

Thanks for reading xxxx

[RubyVet]

I have on my first round of ivf. I remember my first scan when we had tests done said I had 12 follicles, but when I then had my baseline to start my stims I had 4. I was gutted and questioned it but was very bluntly told that it’s just how it goes sometimes. We were private and I didn’t even think about cancelling. On my next scan around day 12 they said there was 5 or 6 follicles growing. At egg collection we had 9 eggs 7 of which were mature and 3 became day 5 blastocysts. At my baseline for my FET two months later I had 16 follicles!!

My most recent egg collection resulted in 13 eggs being collected and again 3 day 5 blastocysts.

My point which has taken me a very long time to get to is that it can vary and change throughout so please do not feel defeated and hang on in there.

Also I am sorry to sound so cliché but less is sometimes better with regards to quality and that is what is most important. Lots of luck xxx

[RedFox23 in reply to RubyVet]

This has already made me feel a little better. It’s the shock i think that’s made me feel so teary. I went in thinking there would be 17 or more - so nearly fell off the table when the numbers were so low. Praying that the ones we do have are good quality! Xxxxxx

[keepfaith1982 in reply to RubyVet]

Hi i have low ovarian reserve and only have one folicie to go with each time 😢 my first collection got me a really good Embryo yet to do the other 2 cycles- best of luck x

[RedFox23 in reply to keepfaith1982]

Best of luck for your next two rounds! So glad to hear you’ve got a good egg already ✨

[BecsRLofty]

I had 11 follicles first time and got 16 eggs. We lost all of them. Second time round I had 6 follicles and after egg collection they said unfortunately the biggest one was a cyst and full of old blood from the first round (hadn’t healed). We only got 6 eggs. 3 fertilised. Only one made it. But made it the whole way! Numbers don’t always align to the success which is crazy.

[RedFox23 in reply to BecsRLofty]

Thank you for sharing. So lovely to hear about your miracle egg going all the way. ✨ I just need to keep reminding myself quality over quantity x

[Fruitandflowers]

I have high AMH and had around 15-25 follicles naturally, then when we started treatment on long protocol I didn't respond, cancelled, had another on the short protocol on low meds and only had a few small ones - kept upping meds and seemed to only have two big ones, and eventually ended up on max stims and took ages - I got a load more come through at the end and they caught up. Got 9 eggs which seemed like a disappointment after my initial predicted numbers but we got a BFP and frosties from that. Sadly ended before 6 weeks and delays were too long so went private. Started higher meds but had one(!) big dominant follicle at baseline - advised it would become a cyst and I'd waste my round but because of the prior experience I asked to continue. 17 days of stims later and the big one had slowed, more had come through and caught up and we got 5 eggs, all to blast and BFP. So the number of eggs weren't good considering what they had estimated, and they don't know why I responded like that, but it worked and we got frosties. So I think maybe there's a numbers vs quality issue to consider and also the clinic's assessment of how you'll respond can be completely out. Plus each month and each round can be totally different. Check with your clinic at what point you can cancel but if you can maybe keep going, see if the meds need tweaking, and if more have come through at your next couple of scans, then decide. It was a horrible decision to make and I felt like I was under a lot of pressure, especially when we had one NHS shot and then when were paying. But so much can change so quickly and lower numbers can be successful - perhaps more so than when you have lots - so don't lose hope just yet.

[RedFox23 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

So glad to hear that more eggs appeared for you and you’ve banked some Frosties! ✨ During my apt the consultant said to stick to the original plan and see what happens but a few hours later he rang and has now upped my dose. He said it’s all a bit of a guessing game as it’s my first round. You’re totally right, things change so quickly so I need to keep positive. 🤞🏻

[Chiefy]

I know exactly how you feel. I was told originally that I had a great number of follicles for my age, that I had more than they looked for in egg donors. I was so positive going into treatment.

At my 7 day stims scan I had 4 follicles and was devastated. I thought it was all over.

3 days later at collection they retrieved 7 eggs, 5 fertilised correctly with 4 good quality blastocysts. The first blasto was transferred 12 months ago this week and my 3 month old son is currently sitting in my arms shouting at the news. 3 frosties are being stored.

Please do not reflect on the low number, as they may be fantastic quality, which is the most important thing xx

[RedFox23 in reply to Chiefy]

Thank you so much for sharing! This is exactly what I needed to hear ✨

[Littlepeax]

Hi redox, when is your EC? I had low follicles in my last cycle in Dec.. my Dr said expect less than 4. We ended up getting 6 eggs all fertalized and 3 made it to day 5 blasts. Our first cycle we had 19 eggs collected and 4 made it to blasts. Not a huge difference although my first go we had way more eggs! Quality is so much more important so don't focus too much on numbers ❤ apparently it differs every month.

[RedFox23 in reply to Littlepeax]

That’s so helpful to know! Fingers crossed for your little Frosties.I’m not sure when my egg collection is, yesterday was day 3 of stims so a little while to go yet I think. I must ask when I go back on Monday xxx

[Littlepeax in reply to RedFox23]

So still early, things could change by the time you reach EC anyway. Stay positive ❤💫🤗 exciting times xxx

[Fairylights89]

Just wanted to wish you luck, these things are sometimes unpredictable which is so frustrating but focus on the four you can see now and hopefully with starting stims more will appear. All you need is one xx

[RedFox23 in reply to Fairylights89]

Thank you for your kind words! You’re right il wait and see what Monday brings ✨