IVF and donor eggs

[Ivfenquirer]

Hello all,

our first round of IVF was cancelled- not enough follicle growth. I was on a mild stimulation so the clinic have suggested the full package next time.

But I have very low follicle count, AMH etc. They have warned it may not work again.

But I am early 30s so should I keep trying? Or should I skip to using donor eggs to save some heartache hopefully!

Anyone been in this situation? Is it better to skip to the next step, try something with a higher chance of success or stick it out with my own eggs a while longer?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Sorry to hear this, but sometimes it is necessary to have that extra nudge. Trust the clinic as they want the pregnancy too. Good luck. Diane

[Tnthketnf]

This very personal and there various factors. I needed DE treatment because of quality issues which I could only find out if I gave my eggs a chance and I did. Currently pregnant with my 2nd DE transfer, very early stages. I would think that if someone can financially afford it they should try their own genetics first. In your age you're young and maybe the quality is better that the quantity. Unless the clinic is saying is not an option. But I know well that clinics rarely tell you what to do.

Sorry it's not very helpful, just some thoughts

[Kitkat10]

yes, but I was older (42) at the time and I felt like I needed to try OE one last time before turning to DE for a sibling.

Financially, I felt like I had enough savings to try OE only once more and then after that, spend the money on a (hopefully) treatment with much improved chances of success. But I was quite a bit older than you so my OE chance was 5-7% and DE 45%.

You’ve just got to go with how you feel. I found it useful to research and explore DE while doing last OE treatment and this gave me the feeling that there was another option when my OE failed which maybe helped soften the heart break a little.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer, just got to go with your heart. I joined the donor conception network to talk to other ladies in the same position and also those with DE conceived children. Good luck with everything going forwards x 🍀🍀

[Floraandfauna]

yes I was only 31 when we switched to DE. But we had various other factors. We could have carried on trying with my eggs but the chance of success seemed so slim (and expensive and long) that for me it was quite an easy decision. We’ve got a gorgeous 7 month old now and no regrets but it is different for everyone and such a personal decision, that was just my experience!

Good luck

Xx

[Infragilis]

I started IVF at 35 and already had low amh, and only got 1-2 decent eggs per cycle. After four cycles including one miscarriage, the clinic suggested moving to DE. I felt I still wanted to try with OE so did another three cycles. I also had another miscarriage,tried PRP and had a hysteroscopy with no success. We have moved to DE and after first transfer I had another miscarriage. I feel I wasted 2 years from when the clinic suggested DE to us and when we actually went for it. Our only consolation is not having any regrets with trying with OE. I am now 40 and still trying with DE. So this is a personal choice and you have to consider how you feel about DE. I just told you my story and how I feel. You have to see how you and your DH feel and what budgets you have as we 'wasted' a lot of money. Good luck and no decision is right or wrong. Go with your gut feeling.

[Yellowlove]

It’s such a personal decision, and your financial situation is also important

I set myself a limit to how far I would go with OE, and that was based on time, how much I could afford etc then I moved to DE and have just had my first baby x

One thing is I will never regret not trying my best with OE or giving it a fair shot

Best of luck, whatever you decide will be the right decision xx

[Wilsy20]

hi there,

Im in quite a similar position to you. I am 33 and with low AMH and follicle count (the first month I tried IVF there were only 3 follicles at day 5). This cycle was cancelled due to little response. I was also on a fairly mild protocol with no down-reg.

They suggested to try again and increase the dose of Gonal-F with still no down reg and I am currently on day 10 of stimming and have had more success this month (6 follicles that are all growing well). The numbers at my baseline scan before stimming this month were already improved so I think your numbers can vary quite a bit each month.

It might be worth going in for a scan on day 1-2 of your next cycle to see if there is any improvement in numbers. Being low AMH we’re never going to have high numbers but my clinic do often say because of my age hopefully quality will be on my side.

Fingers crossed

W x