Looking for positivity - only 1 follicle ready

[Woolooblue]

This is my 2nd cycle on the NHS, I'm almost 39 with unexplained infertility. I am on day 12 of stims, protocol 9 - 375 gonal-f. Same protocol as my 1st cycle where I had 3 eggs retrieved, 2 were postmature and the 3rd didn't respond well to icsi, so nothing to transfer.

I had a scan this morning and 1 follicle is at 20mm, another is 12 and there are a couple of pluses. I have been given the trigger shot to take home and I am waiting to find out when they want me to take it. They may ask me to go in tomorrow for 1 more scan, but at the moment it looks like it will just be the 1 follicle that will be big enough, and they don't want to risk losing it.

It only takes 1 egg, but I know the odds aren't in our favour. So, I am looking for some positive thoughts, and if anyone has any success stories with 1 egg then please let me know!

[Zassa]

Hi sorry I don't have any stores for you but after you say your fertility is 'unexplained' and your response is quite poor and 'uneven' I was wondering if silent endometriosis was ever checked for you. It might not the reason but I definitely know of similar cases with this issue. I hope it works out for you!

[Woolooblue in reply to Zassa]

Thank you, this is something I have never considered or had mentioned to me. I will have a look into it. One of my ovaries is sitting above my uterus, making it a bit harder to get to, and I have read that can happen with endometriosis.

[Flambin]

I know exactly how you feel, we've had three cycles so far and each time I've not responded well to stims. The first cycle only 1 follicle was big enough on the scan but we ended up with 2 mature eggs (only 1 made it to transfer and didn't implant), our 2nd showed possibly 5 but only 3 collected and again just 1 made it to transfer and didn't implant. But... after our third cycle only 1 follicle was the right size and we only got 1 mature egg from that. But that egg did fertilise with icsi and it has implanted! Currently waiting for our 7 week scan so I'm tentatively positive this might be the one. I'm scared to even write this because so many things can go wrong as its still so early, I just know how worrying it is when your numbers are so low when ivf is "a numbers game" so I wanted to give you some real-time hope!

I know the odds are so stacked against us but it can just take one and as I've experienced sometimes another egg or two can make it to the collection date even if they are not quite big enough on the scan. Don't lose hope! When our numbers are low we have to believe that it just takes one and there are stories around to attest to that, I'm sure people will comment to tell you so.

For what its worth, my doctor is very eager for early transfers if they fertilise so this current one was a Day 2. Apparently it's a good idea when you have so few to use rather than wait until day 3 or 5 to give it the best chance in the womb. Wishing you the best of luck with this cycle x

[Woolooblue in reply to Flambin]

Thank you, you have given me some hope! 🩷And I know it is early, so I will give a very gentle congratulations on your pregnancy. That is really wonderful!

[Flambin]

Thank you! Whisper it so it doesn't get scared off! I'm glad to have helped, keeping my fingers crossed for your collection x

[Spicycurry]

I was let down by nhs and decided to go private. I used Access Fertility to save money. It sounds like they are not giving you enough scans to adjust medication and you have a lead follicle. I had 225iu meriofert and 225iu fostimon each day. At 38, I was on long protocol. I’m hoping your one mature follicle is ok. Are you able to go private?

[Woolooblue in reply to Spicycurry]

I'm trying to focus on the next few days for now, but private is the next plan if this cycle is unsuccessful. I definitely feel that they don't adjust enough on the NHS, they just hope for the best. I had a lot more scans the last time, but this time I've only had a couple, I think because they are moving to collection a lot quicker. Because my eggs were post mature last time, I think they don't want to leave them too long. My collection is tomorrow.

[Spicycurry]

Another thing I am thinking. Apart from your stims, I think you might need oestrogen priming with a progesterone tablet to control cycle more and get more follicles. I think your response could be improved with a higher dose of stims to 450iu total every day. Icsi is good but IMSI would be better.

[Kitkat10]

I had 3 eggs collected with 1 fertilising normally and this little egg is now my 3 year old son. I had 2 other rounds with a total of 16 eggs collected and had no success at all. So it does just take that one right egg and this could be your one. Good luck 🍀🍀🙏🙏 xx

[Woolooblue]

I had my collection this morning, they retrieved 2 eggs. Currently resting up with a hot water bottle

[fidgetmcgee in reply to Woolooblue]

Hope you are getting good rest and recovering well! Sending all the luck in the world to you and your little Eggys!