Short cycle big drop off in eggs collected from first cycle

[MollyRobs]

Hi everyone

Last August I had my first egg retrieval and from 12 follicles I had 9 collected, 5 mature, 1 blast, BFN.

I’ve had two short cycles this year and I’ve had 8 follicles, 6 eggs collected, 1 mature (at collection) another 3 matured in the lab, 2 blasts, BFN and one Frozen. The latest one I had 8 follicles, 4 eggs collected and 0 blasts.

I’m curious to know if anyone else has had drops in the numbers of eggs collected whilst doing short cycles and any advice you’ve had to prevent this?

TIA

X

[JoyfulStar]

Hi MollyRobs,

I have had mixed results with my short protocols:

7 eggs, 5 mature, 4 fertilised, 1 blast BFN

6 eggs, 4 mature, 4 fertilised, 2 blasts (frozen)

13 eggs, 9 mature, 4 fertilised 0 blasts

15 eggs, 10 mature, 5 fertilised BFP from a day 3 transfer of 2 embryos and 1 blast frozen

Cycles 2,3 and 4 were the exact same protocol and I did not do much different. I only increased my CQ10 to 600 from 400 for cycle 3. I think IVF can go rogue like that. The only thing that I think is worth asking your clinic is how your eggs developed from days 1 to 3 which they say is mainly to do with egg quality and days 4 to 5 which they say is due to sperm quality.

When doing IVF I generally kept healthy by eating a healthy diet, keeping fit and I limited caffeine and cut out alcohol.

All the best with your journey x

[MollyRobs in reply to JoyfulStar]

Thanks for your reply. What stims were you on for each cycle?

I started with 300iu, then went to 375, then 450 and now I’ve dropped back down to 375 because 450 frazzled my eggs.

I’m using donor sperm and so it’s mainly egg quality impacting my success. I’m on 600 coq10, vit c, vit d and pregnacare. BMI of 23 and fairly good diet. Not sure much else I can do but hope for one day getting something good 😊

[JoyfulStar in reply to MollyRobs]

You’re very welcome. My first cycle, I was on 300 ius of menopur then changed clinics and the consultant prescribed 375ius of Gonal F then added 75ius of menopur after 3 days or so. So 425 in total.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. When I had no blastocysts from the third round, I had to accept that IVF can throw us curveballs. Also, while we might be disappointed with numbers, as long as you have one egg in the running, there is a chance!

[Newbies1]

Hi Mollyrobs, what dose was your trigger shot? my first round I only had a single trigger shot and ended up with only 60percent mature eggs on second round I insisted on double trigger shot and all eggs were mature so this made a big difference for me. if you have only had a single dose trigger maybe a double trigger shot could help achieve more mature eggs wishing you the best of luck xxx

[MollyRobs in reply to Newbies1]

Hi Newbies1, Thanks for your reply. I’ve only ever triggered with a single 250mcg / 0.5 Ovitrelle. I did raise double triggers with my consultant but she dismissed this idea. What triggers have you used?

[Newbies1]

Hi I used gonasi for both rounds however first round was single shot 5000 but for second round I insisted on having a double trigger shot 10000 dose and this resulted in all eggs collected being mature so I definitely feel it helped for me. Best of luck with your journey x

[MollyRobs in reply to Newbies1]

Thank you, I’ve got day 11 scan tomorrow so I’ll talk to the nurses about it. All the best for your journey x

[Newbies1]

Hope all goes well tomorrow xxx