24 replies to this topic

[Positivepatty]

I'm 36, start the antagonist protocol tomorrow: 300 Follitism and low-dose HCG. I've been taking DHEA per my RE for the last 4 months. My AFC is 7, FSH 10.5, and AMH 0.34. My partner's labs are all normal. My RE has warned us that we may have to cycle twice to get enough eggs to send for genetic testing. Hoping to hear success stories, advice, and anything else you have to offer. We will be doing assisted hatching.

[silverdollar]

All the best to you! Remember a couple of good quality eggs is better than a whole crop of low quality ones.

[Positivepatty]

Thanks for the encouragement Silverdollar! So amazed by your story, and happy for you that your dream came true! Can I ask you what antagonist protocol you were on?

[silverdollar]

Luteal phase estrogen priming with antagonist protocol. It's not usually the first one the RE's try, but if other things don't work it can be something to try.

[Positivepatty]

Antagonist, so was it Follitism and HCG, then Ganarelix? I'm new to this:)

[silverdollar]

I took Estrace between my ovulation and period on the cycle before the IVF cycle. I started with stim drugs (Gonal F & Menopur) on my day 3, then they monitored the follicles and my blood levels and added Cetrotide (an antagonist) on about day 9 to prevent early ovulation. Once everything was looking right they do the egg retrieval and fertilize the eggs to hopefully grow into embryos. I did a 3 day embryo transfer.

[Positivepatty]

Thanks for the info:) I start stims tomorrow, hoping for the best. Good luck to you too!

[Arlene Preddie]

Hi PP Good luck with your cycle. I'm just curious is genetic testing standard at your clinic? I'm not accustomed to hearing of patients having it done as there is cause for concern.

[Positivepatty]

Nervous, it's not required but highly recommended at my clinic. Our RE says if we have a chromosomally-sound egg, we have a 70% chance of success. It's better to implant a healthy egg than an abnormal one, and miscarry later:/ Sounds like you've had a rough path. I'm sorry, it's really grueling, and a bit of a roller caster. Have you tried acupuncture, really helps me relax and it helps with egg quality.

[Positivepatty]

Just saw my doctor for my day 6 appointment (started stims 3/7). He saw only 1 follicle in my right ovary, and 4-5 in my left ovary. All of the follicles are 7-8 mm, with the exception of 1 which is 13-14 mm ( he thinks that egg is abnormal). I'm taking 300 IU Follitism and 0.3 ml low-dose HCG. I am scheduled to start Ganarelix tomorrow so that the large follicle doesn't ovulate. My doc feels that the 5-6 eggs is lower than even what he expected before I started meds (6-7 follicles). My follow-up appointment is on Friday. I'm worried, and not feeling very hopeful right now. Do any of you that have been in my situation have similar stories? Success? Thank you:)

[juju_montreal]

I dont know when your ER is, but at my first ivf they saw about 6-7 follicles on day 8 (i didn't know what to expect - i think i was imagining in the 20's so i was very deflated ! ) and by the ER 3 days later they retrieved about double that... So dont lose hope! The trigger shot gives a huge push as well (if they use HCG).

Good luck!

[silverdollar]

I had only 3 follicles during my successful cycle. 2 had viable eggs and we got 2 good embryos and one turned into a baby. Hang in there. Quality over quantity.

[Positivepatty]

Juju, thank you, that really helps to know! I will be using HCG as my trigger. My ER should be Tuesday or Wednesday. Silverdollar, thank you for sharing, makes me hopeful again to hear your stories. I really appreciate you sharing:). I'll keep your words in mind when I go for my appointment on Friday.

[Positivepatty]

Went in for my 7 day check-up. My RE thinks what looked like a dominant follicle, may in fact be a cyst. The other follicles in that left ovary are 9-11 mm. He would've liked them to be 12 mm, but close enough. ER will most likely be next Wednesday or Thursday, to allow them time to catch up. Feeling positive today, thank you for the reassurance and great info you have shared❤️

[Positivepatty]

Well, as of today, it looks like only 3 will make it to retrieval (had anticipated 6 to start with, and the numbers began dropping with each subsequent appointment). I will stim for one more day (11 days total), and then will most likely trigger tomorrow. There are 3 other follicles that are only measuring 11 mm today, so those won't have a chance to catch up according to the RE. Trying to be hopeful:) . . . 

[Positivepatty]

Just got back from a visit with my RE. I have 5 follicles: 14-17 mm! Like will trigger tonight with HCG, and have my retrieval scheduled for this Thursday. I'm excited and scared. I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian and afraid I may have not had enough protein to support normal egg growth. I spoke with the nurse about this, and she assured me that antioxidant consumption is the most important thing.. If any grow to blast, we will be sending them for PGD. I'll keep you posted!

[sharlene]

Just got back from a visit with my RE. I have 5 follicles: 14-17 mm! Like will trigger tonight with HCG, and have my retrieval scheduled for this Thursday. I'm excited and scared. I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian and afraid I may have not had enough protein to support normal egg growth. I spoke with the nurse about this, and she assured me that antioxidant consumption is the most important thing.. If any grow to blast, we will be sending them for PGD. I'll keep you posted! 

 

My advice - and I'm not an RE - just been around the block a few times - I'd hate for you to have done all this and not be able to get to a transfer - if you end up with 5 follicles that all contain mature eggs, they may not all fertilize.  Assuming you get 4 embryos - they may not all make it to day 3, let alone day 5.  My RE believes embryos do best in their natural environment - if it were me, and I had 2-4 embryos left on day 3, I'd probably put them all back and hope that one is normal and survives.  If you have 4 embryos and 3-4 still surviving on day 3, I'd be scared to allow them to go to day 5 just to do PGD.  What if none make it to day 5?  It does not mean that none would have made a healthy baby.  Even embryos that have had PGD can be miscarried (through no fault of the mother) - there could still be chromosome issues.

 

Good luck - I hope it all works out for you but please do consider what may happen on day 3 - how many embryos you have at that point - and consider what to do then - too much planning in advance can make it difficult to go with the flow as things change.

[Positivepatty]

Thank you for the input Sharlene. We decided to do PGD bc it feels like better choice than getting pregnant with a baby that will have chromosomal anomalies, bc we would likely miscarry if there were chromosomal anomalies, and bc our success rate increased to 70% if it's a normal embryo. You definitely bring up good points. I'll discuss it with my partner tonight. Thank you Sharlene:)

[sharlene]

I completely wanted to do PGD after my first IVF when I had a miscarriage (had the fetal material examined and it was chromosomally abnormal) - but then when I had 4 embryos created at my next IVF, I would not take the chance that PGD can destroy an embryo or be wrong - (both can happen though it is uncommon) - I couldn't risk that - so I put back what I had left on day 3 - and I have a son. 

My last IVF, I had 3 embryos on day 2 - I put them both back.  None took.  If I take another chance on another IVF, I'd put back whatever I have on day 2 or 3 - but I'm also a lot older than you - I'm not worried about multiples - and I know I have a high miscarriage rate even if I get pregnant - but I would rather that than risk what might be a good embryo.  I would not wait until day 5 if you are only showing 5 follicles right now.  I think it is a falsehood when people say that if none survived until day 5, then there were none that would have been babies - of course it is impossible to know - I'll never know if the embryo I put back on day 3 (that became my son) would have made it to day 5 in the lab.  But with only 2 embryos left on day 3, I was not going to take that risk.  I'd rather have a miscarriage then nothing to transfer - at least I know I gave it (the embryo(s)) a shot. 

[leigh14]

Positive Patty, I think that things are looking very positive for you!  I was in a similar boat on my second cycle with 5 eggs retrieved. In that cycle I had 4 mature eggs.  All fertilized and we did a day 5 transfer of 2 blasts. The low numbers made me very, very nervous as I was SOOOOO afraid we would have nothing to transfer but the doctor at that particular clinic believed very strongly in day 5 transfers. We got to the clinic and I remember feeling so relieved that we had two!  That particular cycle did result in pregnancy but I had a missed miscarriage. I never had any testing done when I had my D & C so I don't know definitely the cause of the miscarriage. BUT...I later had immunological testing done and some immunological factors could have definitely contributed. Anyways, despite the heartbreak of that cycle it was valuable as it gave us some info. about our embryos and the fact that we could get blastocysts. On my last cycle, which resulted in my daughter, I only had two eggs retrieved and we did a 3 day transfer of both eggs.  I was worried that the 3 day transfer wouldn't be as successful since I'd gotten PG with a 5 day transfer previously. But the nice thing about a 3 day transfer is that it was a lot less stressful for me--there was far less waiting and I kind of felt like my embryos were back "home." 

 

Best of luck to you! I'm sure that your RE will help guide you in your decisions re: Transfer day and PGD, if you elect to do it.

 

Leigh

[Positivity23]

Hi ladies, I'm new to IVF and just trying to educate myself with all of the different protocols, meds, etc.  Do you any of you ladies know why a RE would recommend an estrogen priming antagonist protocol vs. antagonist protocol alone (start with bcp and move to stims)?  Are there any other types of antagonist protocols?

[Positivepatty]

Great points Sharlene, once we see if any survive the 5-day wait, we will have a lot to talk about with our RE. Because I will have to have the endometrial scratch, the opportunity of a fresh transfer isn't an option, so either way we will be doing a FET. Still remains to be seen if we will have enough to PGD. My RE would be happy sending off 2 to PGD. We shall see, very scary this waiting game. Thank you for the support:) Congrats on your gift, a healthy son. Your story inspires me!

 

Leigh, thank you for sharing your experience. It's def a lot to consider as far as PGE. I don't think I will every have a better outcome than 5 follicles, as my AMH is 0.34, so this is a lot to mull over. I sure hope at least 2 make it, if not it's time to chat with our RE again!

[manhattangirl]

Just got back from a visit with my RE. I have 5 follicles: 14-17 mm! Like will trigger tonight with HCG, and have my retrieval scheduled for this Thursday. I'm excited and scared. I'm ovo-lacto vegetarian and afraid I may have not had enough protein to support normal egg growth. I spoke with the nurse about this, and she assured me that antioxidant consumption is the most important thing.. If any grow to blast, we will be sending them for PGD. I'll keep you posted!

My acupuncturist also stated that protein is very important.  There are other sources of protein besides animals.  Try nuts and beans and seeds.

[manhattangirl]

Hi ladies, I'm new to IVF and just trying to educate myself with all of the different protocols, meds, etc.  Do you any of you ladies know why a RE would recommend an estrogen priming antagonist protocol vs. antagonist protocol alone (start with bcp and move to stims)?  Are there any other types of antagonist protocols?

I wish that I understood the protocols well enough to give you a detailed answer, but, in general the EPP is considered aggressive and is offered to women who are expected to be poor responders. 

[Positivity23]

Thanks @manhattangirl!  I know, the protocols are very complicated with their own nuances. . . thanks for your insight re: EPP!!