Daily Updates post egg collection: warning - good result which might not be what you want to read right now

[Minminminminh]

I just wanted to share my story and updates incase anyone is travelling the same. I just know that when I went through my first round of ICSI in 2020, I was always desperately searching for daily updates post egg collection. I know you can’t really compare stories given there are so many variables at play, but somehow it bought me comfort and helped me remain grounded going through my own journey.

20/2/23 Update day 2: Mind boggingly all 6 embryos have survived. 1 is at two cell; 3 at four cell; 1 at six cell and finally a speedy Gonzales at 8 cell. The embryologist informed that on day 2, they hope the embryos are within the 2-6 cell range. So 5 are within this range. Now no more updates until day 4. They have advised that I go for day 5 transfer and warned some will drop off. I’m nervous, there is still the risk that none will make it to day 5. But I’m leaving it with the experts and just hope some will greet me on day 5.

My story so far:

Husband has azoospermia; I have low AMH (6) for my age according to Dr. Turning 40 this year.

2020: long protocol; stims at 350, increased to 450. 14 follicles; 8 eggs; only 2 fertilised on day 1. By day 3, both had only 4 cells (ideal is 8). So I had a transfer on day 3 with both; ended up with twins but one passed away at 10 weeks.

2023: Short protocol; stims 225 throughout. Last scan before EC showed 2 follicles the right size with 2 more as potential but still small.

Day 0: 10 eggs collected 🤯 🤯🤯

Day 1: 6 eggs fertilised

To be continued…

[Lipe79]

wow that’s some story! Lots of odds against you but still those eggys have and are working hard! Sad news about the twin though - I’m so sorry. 😭

You have given me an ounce of hope! I had a 11 cell day 3 embryo transferred 1 week today and at the time felt positive but I’ve read way too much on tinternet to make me really doubt that possibility!

So thanks for sharing. Thinking of you with your nervous wait for day 3 updates. Let us know x

[Minminminminh in reply to Lipe79]

Hey Lipe79 :), congrats on your transfer one week ago. Oh god the TWW is just as agonising, I hope you are finding ways to keep yourself distracted. I had to make sure no pregnancy tests were in the house and had banned myself from this forum and googling anything to do with pregnancy symptoms! IVF is not an exact science, I have read stories where chances of pregnancy were low+++ but was successful and then read stories where the perfect em baby was implanted but did not result in a pregnancy. It’s so unpredictable. I am praying hard for you and hope you keep us up to date on your journey xxxxx

[Lipe79 in reply to Minminminminh]

I keep reading about day 5s having much higher chance of survival but is it my understanding this is only because the labs have 2 days of extra reassurance to visibly see the changes?? Outcome is the same?? xxx

[Minminminminh in reply to Lipe79]

They did a few studies which showed higher live birth rates following a day 5 transfer vs a day 3. But these studies were done in women under 37 is my understanding.The embryologist explained that it’s because from day 3 to day 5, the embabies go through a few more hurdles and by day 5, the embryologist have more information to select the best performing embryo. But, there is still the risk as some embryos prefer the uterine environment vs the lab environment. So, there is still that chance that some embryos that didn’t make it to day 5, may have very well gone on to a pregnancy if it were put back in the womb!! So your embaby is in the best place xxx

[lmno]

Hello! I'm also in the post-egg collection wait which I find one of the hardest parts of this process. How are things going for you? I had my (fourth) egg collection on Thursday last week, they managed to get 8 eggs (more than was expected!). The next day they called to say 5 had fertilised so we were over the moon. But yesterday was my Day 3 update and only one has progressed normally. One only has 4 cells, and the other 3 have the right number of cells but "an abnormal division of cells". The embryologist said there's a chance for them to self-correct but I honestly have no concept of how likely that is so I've been feeling pretty down about it since the call. I'll get my next update tomorrow morning but the waiting is torture! Hope things are going well for your little embies xx

[Minminminminh in reply to lmno]

The waiting is torture!! Congratulations on 5 embabys but sorry to hear about the ‘abnormal division of cells’. So nerve wracking on top of an already nerve wracking situation. But there is a chance they will self correct, and in this ivf game I have learnt that a chance is sometimes all you need. The embryologist from my first round was so sure the embryos would not result in a pregnancy. She had prepared us for the worst and that’s why went with putting two back in. We now have a sassy, happy 21 month old from a very poorly embryo. I am hoping so so hard that your embabies will thrive and self correct. Please keep do keep us up to date xxx ps For all mankind is a fantastic series to keep your mind off things or Jane the virgin (lol).

[lmno in reply to Minminminminh]

Thanks, that's such a good reminder! It can be such a weird game of luck can't it? I have a wonderful 2 year old daughter from our second round who was the third transfer and the worst rated embryo - just goes to show they only know so much don't they?! xx

[Positivechangeplease]

good luck! Embryos have a much higher chance of survival at day 5 so here’s hoping as many as possible make it through! 🤞

[Minminminminh in reply to Positivechangeplease]

thank you ❤️. I wandered over to your profile to read your story. Congrats on your little one ❤️ xxx

[Positivechangeplease in reply to Minminminminh]

ahhh thank you. I only just saw your response. I hope you’ve had good news by now 🤞🤞🤞