AFC (follicle count) reduced from 6 to 3 (baseline scan at create during ovulation)

[Cuppppatea]

In January 2023 I had a scan ahead of my NHS cycle (day 2 period) the count was 6.

April 2024 BASELINE scan day 11 of my menstrual cycle (positive ovulation test three days ago) They said 3 follicles.

I feel quite devastated that I could only have three follicles. I know they can come and go but this seems so low, The scan was with Create and they have recommended natural/modified IVF as a protocol.

Will they go back up? Have I scanned at the wrong time? I feel silly for even considering another go in all honesty when the consulatant said there is about 10% chance of an embryo implatning anyway.

Any insights gratefully received x

[RedFox23]

Hi cuppa tea,

I’m no expert but I’m sure the number of follicles can vary on each cycle. When I had my first scan , I was at create too, I had 17 follicles and I was THRILLED.

Then, when it was time for my egg collection a few months later I only had 5 follicles. I asked the consultant if I could cancel but, as this was our nhs round, cancelling was not an option.

I was so disheartened but I managed to get 3 good eggs. Fingers crossed that you’ve got a good couple of mature eggs growing in those follicles. It’s so hard to keep putting a brave face on and hoping for good news when we get knocked down at every hurdle so I completely understand how you’re feeling. Sending you lots of love x

[Cuppppatea in reply to RedFox23]

Thanks so much for your reply. This was just a consultation scan. I think you had 5 follicles recruit on your treatment cycle.

It is so hard isn’t it x

[RedFox23 in reply to Cuppppatea]

Treatment cycle , you’re right! Fingers crossed your follicle numbers are up when it’s time for that scan. So hard! I have a scan next week as I’m thinking about starting a FET but there’s a lot to consider x

[Londonlady2024]

Hi, I've always had my AFC checked either day 2/3. Then additional scans after I've taken stim meds. I agree every cycle is different plus with less you get better quality. I've personally experienced this. I'm older than you and my chance of success based on age alone was less than 5%.

[Cuppppatea in reply to Londonlady2024]

What was your amh ? I am really loosing the will to carry on at the moment x

[Londonlady2024 in reply to Cuppppatea]

My amh was last tested in January 2022 so over 2 years ago with my NHS clinic who we continued with as self-funded patients. It was never retested. It was double figures but my NHS clinic said it gives them an indication of how I will respond to meds not egg quality. I was 41 at the time. I rarely made blasts. It was mainly early blasts. I wouldn't worry about your amh too much because it's more about egg quality. Amh also fluctuates every month. Some people on here have increased their amh. But I think your priority is banking embryos right? That is what I would opt for, my NHS clinic did not offer this. Lifestyle changes should be ongoing and my biggest advice to you and everyone irrespective of their amh or age is to give up alcohol and of course to be healthy most of the time. There's a lot of evidence to back it up. "In a study on IVF and alcohol, researchers found that just one bottle of wine a week reduced a couple's chance of IVF success by over 25 per cent" - quick on Google gave me this summary. It may make all the difference and I know how much you want your BFP. Turning 40 should not put you off, in fact see it as a goal, stay positive. My inbox is open x

[Cuppppatea in reply to Londonlady2024]

Hey - Thanks for your reply. I do worry about 'embryo banking' as suggested by create as I do feel that the embryos i am creating so far are not exactly freezable quality. I gave up drinking a good while ago. How many rounds did you have? x

[Londonlady2024 in reply to Cuppppatea]

I had 5 fresh cycles with 4 fresh transfers. All BFN. One fresh cycle was cancelled due to ohss risk so ended being freeze-all. This cancelled cycle resulted in 7 eggs and only 3 fertilised (our worst fertilisation ratio). Because we had 3 or less fertilised, my clinic's policy is to freeze at 2pn stage (day 1 one after fertilisation). I then had a frozen transfer. I said I wanted day 3 transfer and my clinic agreed. All 3 survived the thaw and only 2 made it day 3. Both were transferred.

Well done on giving up alcohol. I totally understand because I never had anything to freeze either after my fresh transfers. I have had a couple of 4BC's but my clinic said they were not good enough to freeze.

So in total I've had 5 transfers (4 fresh and 1 frozen).

[RekaV]

Hi Cuppppatea! Don’t give up! I always had a very low count 4/5 and on my first stimms I had only 1 blastocyst out of 2, second stimms I had 1 out of 3( and this one is in the freezer) and the last stimms I had only 3 out of 9 but I never had so many large follicles so I’m pretty happy. I’m just waiting for an update this morning to see if all 3 made it to blastocyst but fingers crossed. Don’t get disheartened, the numbers can definitely change. I have tried all supplements, health diet etc the first two rounds but not the third- I let go things a bit and felt much more relaxed- I’m not sure if that’s what’s helped but that’s the only thing I’ve done differently. I know it’s easier said than done but I do have a stressful job etc… and felt that I needed to let some things go it was becoming too much and I was too focused on trying to get a good egg. We are also doing PGT testing because of previous miscarriages and at my age there are not a lot of those around.

Please try not to get to upset by it, I know how difficult it is but things can change!