Huge drop off between follicle count and retrieved eggs.

[PineappleCrumble]

Hi all,

I am on my first round of IVF. I'm 34, and have a good ovarian reserve. I have borderline Polycystic ovaries.

I had a fairly slow response to stims (150 meriofert), but by day 12 of stims I had 21 follicles, with 8 of them between 14-19mm on the Friday scan (collection Monday)

i've just had egg retrieval this morning, and though I haven't had my conversation with the embryologist yet, I was told they've only been able to retrieve 3 eggs.

This seems like a particularly high attrition rate... I was expecting some level of drop-off, but not like this?

Obviously I am very disheartened, and not very optimistic than any of the three will make it to fertilisation/blastocyst. We shall see, but it's very disappointing.

Nothing I've read seems to have a similar drop-off rate, wondering if anyone can help me understand why it has happened?

Thanks

[WillowPark]

Hi PineappleCrumble , I know it is disappointing and nerve wracking, but I just wanted to say to try not to count your eggs out yet. We were expecting more eggs than we got (It was never really discussed afterwards but I understand they couldn't access one of my ovaries during the procedure.). We only lost one during fertilisation and one during the next 5 days. It is so variable and is sometimes quality over quantity - at the end of the day each baby comes from just one embryo. Good luck 🙂

[PineappleCrumble in reply to WillowPark]

Thanks so much for your message. And you're right, it only takes one. Here's hoping x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi PineappleCrumble. Maybe they could have waited another day for egg collection, but then you could risk ovulation. Fingers crossed the eggs collected are good quality. Good luck. Diane

[PineappleCrumble in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks so much. Xx

[Kitkat10]

Hi, just to say, the same happened to me but I had fewer to start with, so 7 follicles and only 3 eggs.

This empty follicle situation hadn’t happened in my previous 2 rounds so I asked the consultant why and she said often they don’t know. Sometimes the egg never matures to leave the follicular lining or it never developed normally to reach maturation. Not very helpful I know and I was very upset at the time. I had 3 eggs retrieved, only 1 fertilised normally and I definitely thought it was all over… but that one little embryo is now my two year old boy 🥰

I know how frustrating it is but the eggs they did collect are likely to be good quality so keep positive. My worst round by a long shot brought my baby boy, it’s the rollercoaster way of IVF it seems and I have often read posts where egg collection might feel disappointing but as you know, you just need that one embryo 💕💕 Good luck, I remember exactly how tough this time is but it can also be ok 🤞🤞🍀🍀

[PineappleCrumble in reply to Kitkat10]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate this message. 💜 Here's hoping xx

[SimplyAnna]

Hi PineappleCrumble , I am 34 as well on first IVF cycle, stim day 11, high ovarian reserve, 3rd scan today and I have 1 dominant follicle at 17 mm, other 2 around 12-13 mm, and plenty more below 10 mm ( roughly 15 each side). The team is surprised as they expected huge supply from me😄, gave hint of possible cancelation today, however I have been asked to wait and see till Wednesday scan, friday was supposed to be egg collection, this was a private ivf, and I don't know what follows now, as I first timer we all want to go high, but all it takes is one good embryo. 🤞 for you, keep us posted.

[PineappleCrumble in reply to SimplyAnna]

Thanks so much for your message, really hope another couple catch up for you 💜💜 it's such a rollercoaster. Hope you're doing ok x

[PineappleCrumble]

Update - of the 3 eggs retrieved, 2 have fertilised - it's not over yet..!

Back on the hope rollercoaster I go... 😩💜 gosh this whole thing is torture isn't it. I won't have any update until Saturday morning as to whether any have made it to day 5... but here's hoping. x

[Elsidee11 in reply to PineappleCrumble]

I have everything crossed!!! We had 1 fertilise and make it all the way to blast. It’s an anxious wait but remain positive, rooting for them!!!! 🪺

[PineappleCrumble in reply to Elsidee11]

Thank you so much, just seen you didn't get the result you were hoping for yesterday. It's honestly such torment, for something that "should" be so simple! Wishing you luck on your journey, really hope you get that BFP one day soon. <3

[PineappleCrumble]

Update! Good news, one embryo has made it and has been transferred this morning 🥹🤞

She also said the other one isn't actually out for the count but doesn't look as strong as the other one, so they'll give it a couple of days to see if it gets stronger and if it does they'll freeze it. 😊

Now trying to just relax for the 2ww! 😂😩