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Low Egg Retrieval

Artist2019 profile image
28 Replies

Hi everyone

I need to get this off my chest.

I had egg retrieval this morning with a new clinic. I have low amh but have always been able to have 6 eggs retrieved. I took 450iu of Pergoveris this round. I had in total 17 follicles growing. On day 12 I had 12 follicles above 12mm in fact 2x20 2x 19 1×16 1×15 1×14 2x13 3x12 and another 4 ranging in 9mm and 10mm. My lining was 13.1 on Wednesday and my E2 was 8124pmol or 2200. All indicating that there would be a minumum of 8 eggs. The doctor was hoping for 9 or 10 eggs.

Now because I have low amh I have always had dual trigger.

They told me to take 1 Ovitrelle and not to take Buserelin I questioned it and they told its one or the other. I follwed their advice.

4 eggs were retrieved this morning.

I do not want to be ungrateful for my 4 wonderful eggs. But we are crushed.

The doctor questioned whether we had taken the medication at the right time. Then he said the eggs may not have released from the follicle wall.

Has anyone had a similar situation?

Ive been crying since I woke up in the recovery room.

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Artist2019
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28 Replies
HollyT7 profile image
HollyT7

aww lovely, these could be just the right eggs for you ❤️

We had 24 follicles, 16 collected, 9 mature, 3 fertilised.... I was gutted...however bfps from all 3. Chemical with the first but I have a 2 year old from the second and a 6 day old from the third!

nothing I can say is going to make you feel much better about the numbers, just know that as the good old saying going...it only takes one...😘 xxx

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toHollyT7

Thank you and congratulations ❤️

Redsequin profile image
Redsequin

I'm so sorry lovely. I know how crushing it can be when we expect one result and get another. IVF is bl**dy unpredictable. Just to reassure you though, I've had both 4 eggs and 6 eggs before; when I had 6 eggs I was so pleased, but the two extra ones didn't fertilise anyway! I know it's hard not to get fixated on numbers (I know I did!), but your 4 eggs could be great quality. Don't write them off just yet. Hugs xxxx

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toRedsequin

I am so grateful for my 4 eggs.

I feel like the clinic have made a mistake by not giving me the double trigger.

This has been my best response to medication yet the lowest amount of eggs retrieved.

I am to be honest in disbelief.

I know it only takes one.

I am just so upset because I truly believed we would have more eggs and more chances.

We have had a long painful journey and I don't know if I can take much more.

Why they at the last minute decided on just one trigger. I need to know.

Redsequin profile image
Redsequin in reply toArtist2019

Yes, I totally understand that you need answers from your clinic and you're feeling really upset with them. They definitely owe you an explanation as to why they changed things at the last minute, and perhaps you could argue for a reduction in fees.

Kiri23 profile image
Kiri23

Hello there. It’s very unfortunate that ivf can become fixated on numbers which we would never consider otherwise as at the end of the day it only takes one, but I completely understand how you feel. I have my egg collection tomorrow and I will be happy if I get 4 eggs as I know from my first cycle when I got 5 mature eggs, that 2 of them fertilised and the one which made it to blastocyst stage is now my son. So I hope you have your lucky golden egg and I’m hoping for the same for myself. Wishing you lots of luck 🤞 🍀

Mlove12 profile image
Mlove12

I also have low AMH and can understand your frustration.

I wasn’t as lucky as you to have so many follicles, I had 9 follicles and I was quite pleased with that haha. I got 5 eggs from those 9, and even then I was disappointed as I think you assume 9 follicles=9 eggs but it’s not the case. 3 of my eggs were mature and turned into blasts but only 1 was good quality and was transferred (sadly didnt turn into pregnancy) and the other two were a bit slow so didn’t make it to day 6. So we had nothing to freeze either. It is heart breaking but honestly, as people above have said it’s all about quality and not so much quantity with all this. You have 4 lovely jubbly eggs which could contain your miracle baby! So please don’t be too hard on yourself, allow yourself to feel the frustration for a day, and then move onto the positives. Keep us updated :) x

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019

I know that I cannot change things now. I feel like we were totally led down the garden path.

Over 8100 in E2 levels 17 growing follicles and the doctor hoping for 9 to 10 eggs and only getting 4.

My protocol for trigger was ovitrelle and buserelin and on Wednesday and they gave instructions for just ovitrelle. When I questioned this they said it was one or the other. I replied because of my low amh I always do double trigger to release as many eggs as possible.

Oh God my heart is so heavy.

They made a mistake.

Its not fair.

Jonesy84 profile image
Jonesy84 in reply toArtist2019

Hi lovely, it’s hard to not feel upset and disappointed when previously you have had more eggs than this round BUT I definitely believe in quality over quantity. I too have low AMH due to endo and our 1 lucky egg is one soon. Keeping everything crossed for you xx was this a long or short protocol xx

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toJonesy84

It was a short protocol. BCP for 10 days then Pergoveris for 12 days with all tests showing a minimum of 8 eggs in the follicles. I did not have enough trigger.

Every follicle contains an egg. If they are aneuploid they will not release.

Women with low amh or diminished ovarian reserve tend to produce more aneuploid eggs but the proper trigger shot can help to prevent this.

99pctpractice profile image
99pctpractice

I totally understand how you feel. My first round of ivf, there were 9 follicles in range but they only got 4 eggs. The next two rounds I had a double trigger (gonasi plus buselerin) and always got as many eggs as follicles. My fourth round there was a buselerin shortage. So I had a 15000 gonasi trigger instead. I came round from ec and they said they got no eggs. I was absolutely heartbroken and they questioned me over and over again whether I had taken the trigger (I mean. Who doesn’t do the trigger?!?). They tested my bloods and they were in the right place so I was incredibly lucky because they took me back in an hr later and when they did they got 6 eggs. But I am sure that if I had had the double trigger this wouldn’t have been necessary (and I’m not sure whether this led to my poor results in the end but I’m pretty sure it was a contributing factor). And it is only because my consultant was so fierce that they took me back in. Also, I suspect if they had gotten even one egg from the first collection they wouldn’t have taken me back in. So I completely understand why you feel robbed of those other eggs that could have been and I would be really upset in your shoes. As others have said, hopefully the 4 they recovered include your golden egg, but it is still a clinic error that they didn’t give you a double trigger and I think you would be completely justified in making a complaint. sending lots of hugs and hope for your embryos!!!

NemoFish profile image
NemoFish

I was supposed to have a buserelin trigger on top of ovitrelle, but was sent an expired one by Stork. I’m under the impression there is a worldwide shortage of buserelin at the moment and no clinic can get hold of any. Was this the reason you didn’t have one?

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toNemoFish

No I have it here at home. They said one or the other and they said to take Ovitrelle. I questioned them and told them that I always have double trigger. They didn't seem to care.

eval87 profile image
eval87

Hello, if the eggs didn’t release from the follicle wall, that means the final maturation did not happen. The right medication and timing of the trigger is responsible for that final step. Sounds to me like you are right about your trigger not having been sufficient. Very frustrating! 4 eggs is still a good result though, hopefully they all fertilize! Good luck!!

Sparklylife profile image
Sparklylife

I am no expert and I think you will need to speak to your clinic about their decisions so you can get their full reasoning for why they changed the plan so late for you. I am sorry you are feeling deflated - ivf is so hard! Allow yourself to be upset and mad .. but then try look at the positives! Your 4 eggs could be amazing and hopefully fertilisation rate will be high and they will develop beautifully! And hopefully your future little one will be in there! It is hard not to think about the end goal - because that is all on our minds all the time - all you want is a family! But try look at little goals along the way - with things you can control - this is out of your control what happens, so focus on things you can do.. keeping hydrated, eating well, getting fresh air for a clear headspace! I really hope this round was what you needed for your dreams to come true! I really wish ivf was a guarantee for us all! 🤞🧡

On another note.. Could they potentially have done the trigger too late? I read somewhere when I was trying to look into amh a few years ago.. that it is believed with low amh cycles can be shorter and therefore eggs are thought to mature quicker - so a leading follicle at 20mm - perhaps they were released and not been able to retrieve? I think in this study I read they were looking at doing trigger with leading follicle of 14-15mm.. but it was only one study and where it was from or how reliable it is.. I cannot recall, so it could all be bs and not mean anything. But I was just wondering if that is something to ask you clinic about if you get a review as well as asking them about not doing double trigger? It may not be correct like say - but perhaps something to consider and ask the experts. Hopefully they have a good reasons as to why they changed it.. and hopefully it was not a mistake.

Wishing you all the best!! 🧡

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toSparklylife

Thank you for your reply. I have also questioned this in my portal message. My progesterone was borderline high on Wednesday. I asked had I already ovulated on by Friday as 2 follicles were 19 and 2 were 20 on Wednesday.

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019

4 Eggs retrieved

2 mature

2 fertilised.

We are so happy that we have 2 fertilised and we are still in with a fighting chance.

After my bloods being high 12 follicles growing 2 of the 4 eggs were not mature. I needed the double trigger. I dont know why I didnt push it more.

Sparklylife profile image
Sparklylife in reply toArtist2019

Because we have to put our trust in the experts .. you questioned it. Don’t blame yourself! It was not your fault! I know that might not help the fact it happened or how you feel... but it is not your fault.

I got everything crossed for your two embryos! 💫💫

Loveheart6 profile image
Loveheart6

hi I had 9 eggs and all mature but only one fertilised so I was gutted with just one egg. I cried for the whole weekend waiting to hear if it survived which of course the odds were against us. The saying it only takes one is never ever more true. My only fertilised egg then made it and was implanted then again it survived that and he’s now my miracle 16 week old son. Just always have hope and never give up. Sending you love at the really stressful time.

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019

Congratulations ❤️ this gives me so much hope. I am putting all of my energy into our two embryos growing ✨️

Kitkat10 profile image
Kitkat10

Yes, a similar thing happened to me. I went from 9 to 3 eggs when I changed clinics and I felt devastated after being told most of my follicles were empty at ER. The consultant couldn’t offer a reason, just said that it sometimes happens. Anyway, I dried my tears and went back to work not even thinking about ET, I felt like the whole thing was hopeless… and then I got a phone call on day 5 with a 5 day embryo and he is now my 10 month old. So, I 100% know how bleak it feels, I was very very upset but you still have everything to hope for. It can definitely still happen so keep going and good luck for those eggs 🍀

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019

Wow amazing thank you for sharing ❤️

Abloured84 profile image
Abloured84

i felt this post. my last (third) cycle ended like this . i’d upped my meds , gone from reasonably low egg retrievals of 5-6 to 12/13 follicles so hoped that would be my best egg number to date . i had three . i was crushed and cried all the way home . as it happened, out of the three , we had two fertilise to good quality. this, in terms of numbers, was our best fertilisation rate to date . it didn’t work out for us in the end - but i remember feeling so crushed on the day of ER and on the fertilisation call, i remember my relief and surprise . to a certain extent, it’s a numbers game , otherwise you just never know what curve balls you will get. hang in there xx

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019

An update today.

1 fully expanded blastocyst graded 3CC which as we all know is not great quality.

They are giving it one more day and if the quality does not improve they wont be freezing this embryo either.

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toArtist2019

Nothing to freeze.

Kiri23 profile image
Kiri23 in reply toArtist2019

I’m so sorry, I know from experience how it feels. Are you arranging a follow up to discuss this cycle with the clinic?

Artist2019 profile image
Artist2019 in reply toKiri23

Yes we are. Good luck with your cycle ❤️

Kiri23 profile image
Kiri23 in reply toArtist2019

Thanks. Wishing you the best in your journey x

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