Any success stories after poor follicle response?

[Foxglove_daffodil]

Hi everyone, I’ve never posted on here before but hoping someone can offer some positive stories or experience. I’m doing my first round of IVF as a single woman, 40 and low AMH of 3.8. Just had my day 8 scan and only have four follicles size 16, 14, 9 and 7. The doctors have said I’ll get 2-3 eggs max and are talking about potentially cancelling the cycle but I’ve asked to continue as my gut is telling me 2 eggs are better than none. Doc said they’ll probably trigger Monday and collect on Wednesday. I asked about staying on the meds for longer but she said it would risk losing the larger follicles. Is there any realistic chance of success here or am I kidding myself? I’m feeling really sad and disappointed.

[Gerbear22]

Yes I believe there is.On my second ivf cycle which was successful my first scan showed follicle sizes of 15mm,10mm and 2 between 5-7mm.On my second scan 3 days later I had a 25mm,15mm,10mm,11mm and one between 5-7mm.Last scan on a sat and egg collection on the Tuesday.We got 2 mature eggs and 2 embyros from the bigger follicles,others were empty.Both embyros were grade 1,8 cell embyros and both transferred.Now have a beautiful 7month old.I was 40 doing both ivf cycles,low amh,endometriosis and under active thyroid.I knew I was a poor responder from 1st cycle so was willing to go ahead with even one follicle.Don’t lose hope yet.Sending love and strength your way.x

[Foxglove_daffodil in reply to Gerbear22]

Thank you so much for your lovely words. It’s really reassuring to hear a story like yours. Congratulations on your baby x

[CreateIVF]

Hi There! There definitely is “success”.

I’ve had one cycle where my body didn’t respond to the stims at all, so switched to natural modified and have managed 1 or 2 Day 5 blastocysts from 3 eggs collected each time. I’ve heard of people with WAY more and not getting that. I’m not pregnant yet (chemical on last transfer) but I do have two frosties waiting to be transferred. Sending you all the luck x

[Foxglove_daffodil in reply to CreateIVF]

Thank you! I was reading about natural modified last night so maybe that’s the best next step for me as well if this doesn’t work out. Wishing you all the luck in the world too x

[CreateIVF in reply to Foxglove_daffodil]

If you want to have a chat about it at any point then just let me know. X

[HoneyB11]

Hi foxglove,

I’m 39 with low AMH (2.4) and both rounds I only retrieved two eggs of which just one fertilised each time. The first was unsuccessful but my second round worked and I’m currently 9 weeks pregnant.

So don’t give up!!

Lx

[MrsOrangejuice]

Yes, although I had a very high amh and follicle count so I was predicted masses of eggs and probably OHSS, so they started me on a long protocol and my body 'ignored' the meds. So they switched me to short and nothing happend for ages and they had to keep upping the meds - I had one big follicle and a few small, then I think after about 17 days of stims and max meds, a load of smaller ones come through and caught up and the big one was fine. I got 9 eggs (but the hospital messed up the sperm sample!) and we got low fertilisation, still three blasts. Then similar thing next round at a private clinic although they wanted to cancel because of the one dominant follicle and poor response - so glad I didn't as I got 5 eggs after being on meds for ages again and all went to blast and I have a daughter from that and frosties. But then I had a terrible 'banking' round earlier this year where I was on higher meds to start, for a much shorter time and got one egg from three follicles, and that ended in a PUL and surgery. I know each round your body can respond differently but I wish I'd never bothered or cancelled the most recent one, or at least gone with my gut and asked to just do the same protocol that had worked before - starting low and building up and being on meds for longer - but it could have been just an off month. I'd be very happy with 2 or 3 quality eggs, and try not to focus on stories of women getting 15+ etc, eggs as I think that's not that common but also that doesn't necessarily mean they're good quality. It's so hard though and I think you just have to go with your gut and be OK with the fact that you made what you thought was the best decision at the time.

[Missionofendo]

Hi There,

fingers crossed it goes ahead it sounds alot more positive than when mine got cancelled.

I had 8 folices two at 10mm and then the rest smaller.

The protocol was estrogen 7 day primer which is what made them grow then the 300 didn’t work. No change which was so hard.

Mine got cancelled last month I was gutted.

So positive thoughts your way as I say mine were smaller so I think you will be ok 🙏

Goodluck x

[M1673402]

Hi, I am 39, very low AMH of 2.something and stage 4 endo with a few previous surgeries, I was told at first scan all was good, final scan that there was only one follicle and 50/50 chance of there being an egg…they did egg collection yesterday anyway and I was delighted to get 2 eggs. One has fertilised overnight so it’s being transferred on Monday all being well - I think as long as there is some follicles there is always hope and better to try rather than cancel!

[CornflowerMoon]

Hi, I can't remember much of the details in terms of individual follicle size etc but I was told after my second scan that my first cycle might have to be cancelled because there wasn't much follicle response. At that point, there were no more than 3 that looked like they might be big enough on the day. Egg retrieval did go ahead and we got 3 eggs. 1 was immature, 1 didn't fertilise normally and the other was transferred at day 3 but didn't implant. My second cycle was long protocol and the response was minimally better in terms of number of follicles but I still only got 4 eggs. 2 fertilised normally and I am 30 weeks pregnant with the second one to be transferred. I really never thought it would work with the numbers we had but there is hope. IVF is brutal, it feels like there is always something else can come along to knock you down but try to stay positive and know you're not alone.

[Foxglove_daffodil]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to send a reply to thank you all for your messages of support. I’ve been a little slow in responding because it’s been a hugely emotional and uncertain time. The doctors almost cancelled the cycle several times but, I managed to persuade them to let me continue to egg collection. I was advised not to continue the IVF and to switch to IUI because my chances were so low, and told that I would not be able to have a fresh transfer because the lining of my womb wasn’t good enough. I was also told at this stage that I would not be eligible for any further NHS treatment because I am considered a poor responder. So, although I was devasted I was prepared to go through with EC even though those follicles could be empty. And knowing that this would be my only funded round and potentially my only chance, I felt it was worth the risk. They retrieved two eggs which I was really pleased with. On day 3 the clinic called to say things were looking good for one but the other had degenerated on being injected with the sperm. Day 5 the surviving embryo hadn’t quite reached blastocyst but the clinic said they’d give it another 24 hours and I was crying with relief when they called this morning to say I have one excellent quality embryo to freeze. I know it’s a long journey still from here but I am so grateful that I have one little embryo who made it. Thank you again for your messages. I have been reading everyone’s posts for information, guidance and support. Fingers crossed for a successful transfer but even just knowing that I can make an embryo has given me a huge amount of hope. Xx