Lower fertilization rate - managing the wait

[Minniemouse88]

Firstly, apologies for yet another post from me. As a first-timer, it's been a lifeline to hear from others during uncertain times.I'm recovering from a painful egg collection yesterday where 25 eggs were retrieved. As our issue is severe Male Factor, my husband was also having sperm retrieval at the the same time for icsi, so it's been a bit of an ordeal. For safety, due to risk of OHSS, they are going for a freeze all cycle.

Call from the embryologist this morning felt a bit disappointing. Of the 25 eggs collected, 22 we're mature but only 7 fertilised.

I'm not so worried about the number because I am aware this is a good number for this stage and just to thankful we had some fertilisation. I suppose I am just concerned about the drop off rate and whether this might be indicative of what is to come.

I know every cycle is different and I'm trying to see it as natural selection. Interested in how others managed this uncertainty.

Thank you

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

It can vary - maybe you could discuss your concerns with your embryologist Also hope you get some replies to your post Just to wish you luck with your treatment and a big hug for both of you at this difficult time

Take care

Janet

[Llizzie]

I found the wait while the embryos develop the hardest. If it gives you any hope I had 14 eggs collected, 12 mature, 8 fertilised most of which dropped off or slowed down and finally ended in 1 day 5 blastocyst which is now a lively 10 month old boy. We had severe male factor and I had pretty low expectations but you’re right - you need one good sperm and one good egg to meet and get comfy. It can happen and I’ll be thinking of you xx

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Llizzie]

Thank you Llizzie, it's really good to hear you were successful and thank you for taking the time to share your experiences, it helps to keep the hope alive whilst I'm on the huge hormonal come-down after the HCG trigger! Thank you again xx

[WaitingTee]

Oh I feel you, it’s such a difficult moment! If it can help, in my experience low fertilization was NOT indicative of what was to come… I had 19 eggs collected and only 6 fertilized, but from then onwards the attrition rate was really low and I ended up with 3 day-5 blasts (currently 35 weeks pregnant with the first FET).

At the time, I managed the uncertainty really badly I’m afraid. I was devastated. With hindsight, despite the initial bad news re fertilization it was a pretty good cycle… my doctor said something like “the ones that were meant to make it, made it”

Best of luck, I’m crossing my fingers for you!

[Minniemouse88 in reply to WaitingTee]

Thank you, you've definitely helped settle my nerves.

Even though I know every situation is different, it's still good to feel we have a chance after such a high drop off. Also really good to hear I'm not the only one who has found this part tough. The mixture of post egg collection pain, hormones and anxiety is not great a combination!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope you are not too uncomfortable at this late stage and able to take it easy.

Thank you again, take care 🙂x

[Luka_Ru]

Hi Minniemouse, we had very similar numbers to you on our first round. 21 mature eggs but only 7 fertilised with ICSI due to severe MFI. We did still manage to get 3 day 5 embryos, two of which were PGTA normal. I was also worried that the low fertilisation rate would mean a very high drop off, but it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately we lost one of the embryos in the thaw, and the other didn't implant, but it's possible to make embryos and hopefully you have better luck!

We were successful on our second round, where we had a better fertilisation rate with 12 of 21 mature eggs fertilised. We used calcium ionophore that time, not sure if that's what made the difference or if it was just luck!

[Minniemouse88 in reply to Luka_Ru]

Thank you. Day 3 and still in the running so hopefully we'll get some for day 5! Still trying to get better from the egg collection so glad I'm not transferring this cycle. Thank you for sharing xx