Infertility Support Group
In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.
Ok so had my first round of monitoring after 3 days of stims this morning...I'm not happy with the results...I don't think. Last round of IVF I had 12 measurable follies at my first u/s. this time i only had 6. now that doesn't mean there won't be more, but out of like 18 follies last time i only got 10 eggs and only 4 fertilized and only 3 made it to transfer. i'm really nervous that i'm not responding like i did last time. that being said dh thinks it's a good sign since last time didn't work. so maybe this time since i am responding different to everything else i will have a different outcome. i hope so, but i'm still a little frustrated and discouraged today. i will know a little more when i call my re at 4pm for the results of the b/w and everything.
Well, everyone is different and all I can do is share my experiences...
I've had two IVF cycles. During the first cycle I used Follistim and had 24 out of 25 eggs retrieved and mature. That number dwindled for various reasons, but it was overall because of my poor egg quality. I also hyperstimulated so that cycle was cancelled and the 4 embryos that made it to day 5 were frozen.
During my second IVF cycle, I was put on Ganirelex to avoid hyerstimulation again. We had 28 follicles but only 13 eggs were mature. Of those, only 2 made it.
My DH and I believe hindsight is better than foresight. We think that the Ganirelex understimulated me and produced pour egg quality (which worsened my 'already' poor egg quality). We also believe the RE was so worried about hyperstimulation again that he did not focus on either quality OR quantity.
I just wanted to post so that you'd know my experience. If there is anything to gain from my mistakes, it would be a blessing for you and your DH. Please know that the MORE eggs you are able to produce will only INCREASE your chances of having 'the perfect' embryo form. You cannot let people tell you that "it only takes one." That is only half true. For many people it will take many attempts and transfers for just one to take.
I guess my point is that we have spent over $30,000 and had the attitude that 'it only takes one.' However, after 2 failed IVF's we see that we really need more money and more tries at IVF to have just a handful of 'quality' embryos to use.
Hope this makes sense... If you have any doubts (and we did during our second IVF and should have cancelled it. We kick ourselves for wasting that money!) then you should consider cancelling it and trying again later. It's better to lost $2,000 in stims cost than to pay $12,000 for an IVF that doesn't produce any (or only 1-2) quality embryos.
Again, everyone is different. Some will get pregnant with just ONE, but many women will not. It's all a 'crap shoot' and that's what makes IVF so hard. If insurance coverage was available and the financial costs were not burdening us, it would all be much easier, wouldn't it?
I pray that you make the right decision for YOU and that you become a mommy very soon.