10 eggs at EC, only 3 fertilised!

[Darcy1996]

Hi all,

I know it only takes one, but I also know at 42 that time isn’t on my side. (I’m 42 OE, OH is 51, I know, geriatric mother!)

First ever IVF round and first ever EC yesterday (Saturday 13th). I had 6/7 juicy follicles on Wednesday and another 6 just behind and retrieved 10 eggs on the day (yesterday, Saturday).

Today just 3 fertilised, using ICSI.

8 eggs were mature, 3 fertilised, 3 didn’t at all (they’ll watch tomorrow but said unlikely to change), and 2 did fertilise, but abnormally. We had ICSI so I’m surprised at the 3 that didn’t at all.

Conscious that numbers will drop and drop and we will be PGT testing any that get to day 5, but atm it doesn’t feel like there’s high hope.

I’m not sure what I’m looking for here. I guess hope 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Skittles11]

Unfortunately there's nothing to do other than wait it out. I know it's not easy when numbers drop down. I have low AMH so was so aware of numbers and with PGTA testing too it was very stressful I must confess as it is another stage to get through. So I understand how you feel. The best I can suggest is that you try and find things you enjoy doing to occupy your time whilst you are in this waiting period. Sending hope your way and fingers crossed x x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Skittles11]

Thanks Skittles11 / I had an AMH of 9.7, but then 16 follicles at the baseline scan so I was quite hopeful. I was really pleased with 10 eggs collected but I guess I hoped for more like 8 fertilised so that with drop-off we might have something to test. Now super scared we’ll not get to that at all.

I know I need to take my own advice and get outside or go sing in the car 🤣 I guess the first call is the hardest

[Skittles11 in reply to Darcy1996]

It is so disappointing and upsetting when you hope for something and then those hopes are dashed when you get "that" call. But it is not over by any stretch x x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Skittles11]

Thank you, I need to remind myself of just that. I’ve got 3 more fertilised eggs than I had 36 hours ago! 🤞🏻💜

[Dormus01]

God it’s tough isn’t it?! Thank god for this message board. I don’t have any ‘wise words’ other than I’m sincerely wishing you this best. It’s beyond hard to go through this, I’m thinking of you x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Dormus01]

Thank you Dormus01 i appreciate that 💜and yes, it’s stupidly hard. I thought I was ready for just how much of a drop off there’d be but this feels much higher. But, trying to stay realistically optimistic 🤷🏻‍♀️

[SKC111]

Hello, thanks for sharing your story 10 retrieved and 3 fertilised sounds positive to me! I am about to start my first ever round next week when my period arrives. I’m 40 and would be happy with this outcome. Out of interest what was your AMH & AFC. Sending all the baby dust! I’d like to follow your journey wishing you the very best Xxxx

[Darcy1996 in reply to SKC111]

Wishing you the very best of luck, you’re so close to starting your journey! 2 months ago my AMH was 9.7 which was in line with the 10 follicles counted on my scan…and that felt like a massive drop from the 14.7 and 18.5 of 12 and 18 months ago.

Then I changed my supplements (started taking Ovum + omega 3 fish oils) and at my baseline scan, they counted 16 follicles…so I was thrilled (thinking, more options even of don’t know the quality 🤷🏻‍♀️), but I guess just never know how things will go until trying properly.

All the best SKC111 💜💜

[SKC111 in reply to Darcy1996]

Thank you! You have prompted me to add fish oils to my daily supplements. All the best

[Nakijo in reply to Darcy1996]

How much DHA and EHA does the omega 3 you took contain?

[Darcy1996 in reply to Nakijo]

I am taking the Boots Extra strength which is 1000mg of fish oil. 200 mg EPA and 250mg of DHA.

[HollyT7]

Icsi for us = 24 follicles, 16 collected, 9 mature, 3 fertilised…bfp with the first but early loss, 2 pregnancies from the last two. As you said…it only takes one… 🤞🏼🍀😉

[Darcy1996 in reply to HollyT7]

Oh HollyT7 that’s wonderful & reassuring, thank you 🌈💜🌈💜

[HollyT7 in reply to Darcy1996]

I know it’s tough when you’re in the midst of it all and near impossible to see the wood for the trees, but every time you start having a negative thought, just think, out of all of the collections,fertilisations, transfers, and tests, there is no reason why you can’t be one of the lucky ones that it works out for 🍀🤞🏼everything crossed for you lovely! Keep us updated, and no matter how many you end up with….IT ONLY TAKES ONE!!!!!!!! 😉❤️

[Darcy1996 in reply to HollyT7]

A wonderful tarot reader once told me, that I’m “favoured by the universe” so come on universe!! Thank you, I will keep all updated, this community is so kind /- you included!

[Kitkat10]

hi, they are still good numbers 🤞 at 42 I only had 6 eggs collected. If 3 have fertilised, that’s a good chance of success. At 40, I only had 1 egg fertilise normally which became my son, so you have better numbers than I had back then. Good luck 🍀🍀

[Darcy1996 in reply to Kitkat10]

That’s amazing, thank you Kitkat10 - I had such a huge sob after the call yesterday and now I’m trying to remember those 3 embryos are here, that’s further than I’ve been before, and closer to a good outcome 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Myshh]

Hi Darcy, please stay positive. I'm 41 had my first IVF back in February 12 eggs harvested only 6 fertilized but just two make it to the 5 day. I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant please don't use your hope. It can happend even for us geriatric mothers.

[Darcy1996 in reply to Myshh]

Oh Myshh thank you & congratulations. I’m trying to turn my tears into gratitude & hope 🤞🏻🤞🏻💜🌈

[Nakijo in reply to Myshh]

Congrats. Did you use any supplements?

[Nakijo in reply to Myshh]

Hi, congrats. Did you use any supplements? And were your embryo PGTA tested? What was your AMH?

[Myshh in reply to Nakijo]

Hi I haven't taken any supplements just folic acid. I don't remember my exact number of AMH but it was all good for my age. Our embroys weren't PGTA tested since they were graded very good 4AA and 6 AA and they recommend fresh transfer in this case. But the testing was on the table if they wouldn't be very good graded.

[Darcy1996 in reply to Myshh]

repping us geriatric mothers

[Katsi]

hi Darcy, stay positive! On my last attempt at 40, I had 5 eggs retrieved , 4 of them fertilized and all of the became high quality blastocysts ( not pgt tested). So it s really a lottery, fingers crossed!

[Darcy1996 in reply to Katsi]

SUCH a lottery! Thanks Katsi! Dreading day 3 call tomorrow, but also staying hopeful, as our embryos are in the best place, for now 💜💜

[Nakijo in reply to Katsi]

That is are good number of blastocysts. Did you take any supplements?

[JoyfulStar]

Hi, you were a similar age to me when I started my journey at 42 and DH was 55. Had a total of 4 rounds. Had good fertilisation rates for 2 of the rounds and disappointing rates for 2 of the rounds. My BFP came from a round where I had 15 eggs collected, 10 mature and 5 fertilised with ICSI- I did a fresh transfer. I was 43 at the time. You just never know and like they say, it only takes one egg! All the best!

[Darcy1996 in reply to JoyfulStar]

That’s phenomenal JoyfulStar thank you. Do you know what helped your better fertilisation rate rounds? Did you change anything?

[JoyfulStar in reply to Darcy1996]

I actually did nothing to be honest apart from drink full fat milk during stims. I noticed though that the more eggs that were collected, the worse my fertilisation rate was.

I shared my experience to show that even with lower fertilisation, a positive outcome is possible. My final round was one of the poorer rounds in terms of fertilisation from 15 eggs collected only 5 fertilising. It was a big drop off at the time but all I could do was wait and remain hopeful.

All the best xxx

[Darcy1996 in reply to JoyfulStar]

thank you - I am definitely minded to hope in quantity over quality...and might go and get some cheese now thanks JoyfulStar all the best <3

[DuckyP]

Hi, I am 42 near 43. 8 eggs retrieved, 6 fertilized, 3 day 3, 1 made it to day 5 and its PGT-A normal. Sending hope and best wishes for things go well with you.

[Darcy1996 in reply to DuckyP]

we are a v similar vintage DuckyP ! thank you for your message and I have everything crossed for my day 3 call tomorrow and the 3 that did fertilise. Thank you, and all the best to you too.

[Nakijo in reply to DuckyP]

Hi, did you take any supplements and for how long?

[DuckyP in reply to Nakijo]

Hi, I take prenatal vitamin 4-6 weeks before EC and continue. My iron is low so I also took iron infusion before EC. My diet is healthy mixed with fastfood but I try to eat 1 avocado and 1 small box of berry per day and drink 6 -8 warm glasses of water or oatmilk. I try to walk at least 4 times per week, 4km-5km each time.

[Darcy1996 in reply to DuckyP]

smashing it

[Catmumtogoose5]

I hope everything is going well for you. This post comforts me as I had egg collection yesterday and today was told I have 5 fertilised (from 16 eggs collected). I panicked but I am trying to hold on to hope!

[Darcy1996 in reply to Catmumtogoose5]

I understand and I did exactly the same thing, but then I tried to reframe it...3 fertilised is still 3 more than I had the day before! We are at day 5 and the 3 fertilised were looking v strong at day 3, and today they've not got to blastocyst yet to biopsy for the PGT-A testing...so I am hoping they do, but no guarantees of course. Fingers crossed for you! 5 is still a great number

[Catmumtogoose5 in reply to Darcy1996]

That’s fantastic and thank you for helping me to put a spin on it! It’s so nice to speak to others who understand. Fingers crossed yours reach blastocyst 🤞🏼🙏🏼

[Darcy1996 in reply to Catmumtogoose5]

I cannot lie, I had a huge sob and a moody day before I found this spin and a pint of cider too haha - but felt so much better at day 3 when they said some were looking strong. Small but mighty numbers! and yes, I jumped straight on here to ask the lovely forum-folks <3 hope your 5 develop well and fingers crossed for you too <3

[Catmumtogoose5 in reply to Darcy1996]

Bless you! We have to let it out sometimes. This process has been one stress after another. Thank you so much, I have no idea when I’ll get an update as the embryologist made it sound like they will call me on Tuesday to let me know how many they are freezing. I assume if anything happens in the meantime they will call me… which makes me panic about getting a phone call! Sending love x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Catmumtogoose5]

oh goodness that's quite long isn't it...mine is day 1, 3 and 5, Hopefully no news is good news!