And the rollercoaster of IVF takes another little dive...
Yep. I should expect this stuff by now. But somehow it always catches you unawares.
The nurse called with my fertilization report today. Only 7 of the 14 eggs fertilized. So, 7 embryos is what we're dealing with. Not as good as I had hoped. But I guess I don't have much frame of reference. I have read that 70% of retrieved eggs usually fertilize. Our 50% stat is somewhat sobering and disheartening, but it's ok. We did NOT use ISCI, so perhaps that's why our numbers are lower. Or maybe the other 7 eggs were just immature and not capable of being fertilized. I don't know. The IVF nurse wasn't really much help and couldn't enlighten me about what may/may not have happened. And I suppose it really doesn't matter anyway. It's not like more information will give me those eggs back.
More details to come tomorrow...
The nurse called with my fertilization report today. Only 7 of the 14 eggs fertilized. So, 7 embryos is what we're dealing with. Not as good as I had hoped. But I guess I don't have much frame of reference. I have read that 70% of retrieved eggs usually fertilize. Our 50% stat is somewhat sobering and disheartening, but it's ok. We did NOT use ISCI, so perhaps that's why our numbers are lower. Or maybe the other 7 eggs were just immature and not capable of being fertilized. I don't know. The IVF nurse wasn't really much help and couldn't enlighten me about what may/may not have happened. And I suppose it really doesn't matter anyway. It's not like more information will give me those eggs back.
More details to come tomorrow...
Replies
Don\'t be so hard on yourself. You should be very happy, those are excellent numbers! Especially without the extra help of doing ISCI . If you think about it. Half fertilized on their own. That\'s excellent. I had 21 fertilize with ISCI and only 8 made it from there to be further tested (I have genetic issues on top of IF) when it was all said and done I only have 2 usable embryos to work with. I was devastated at first. But then I realized it\'s better to have two \"healthy\" embryos than to go through loosing a child again after a year. 7 is an excellent number & a great start ;) Believe me I know it\'s hard sometimes going through all this, but try to see the positive. Good luck!
Thanks, WooSaaa. Yes, I am definitely able to see the positive in this. In fact, I feel pretty good about it. It\'s just nerve-wracking to see the new voicemail from the clinic, press \"play,\" and then hold your breath as you await the newest batch of numbers. In my head, I was expecting to hear her say 10 or 11 fertilized, but I understand that setting these kinds of expectations aren\'t doing me any good. So, I\'m gonna cut that out! ;)
I know many women get BFPs from far fewer eggs than that. So, now I\'m just praying that a few make it to day 3, but I\'d really love to get the news that things are progressing well and we can hold out for a day 5 transfer.
I meditated today (as I have every day during this cycle) and it ALWAYS helps put things in perspective and allows me to live in the moment. I sent my good intentions to those little embryos in the ER lab, and I just KNOW they\'re doing great. :)
Quality over quantity -- try your hardest to remember that during all of this. And 7 out of 14 isn\'t anything to be ashamed about! I\'ll be praying that those little guys continue to grow and develop beautifully.
7 is fantastic! I always expected 50% to fertilize, and of that 50% to make it to day 5. So I was REALLY bummed when I woke to find we only had 8 eggs retrieved. 5 fertilized and by day 5 all of them made it, and one was already frozen when I got the report. Another was transferred and it was the best quality it could be. I cried. The remaining 3 froze the next day. I felt so bummed before day 5 expecting to have none left, but turns out I had a decent quality. So that is what is important. happy to hear you see the positive, and that you are meditating! I did/do the circle bloom meditation series and I love them!