afc with low amh, help!

[Homebird1980]

Hi there, I am on my 1st IVF NHS long cycle (prostap 1injection cd21, stims: Gonal f 375 and Luveris 75)
AMH 2yrs. Age 36.
I was wondering if anyone can help. I had a scan 2 days before starting my stim injections (on cd 10) and told I had an afc of 4 and my lining good.
I'm worried about the low count, can this increase during stims?
I'm due for my scan tomorrow. Also is it normal to have afc taken at this time?
Seems all others I read of are taken earlier in cycle and have an abundance of follicles.
Also surely after down reg there should be no follicles on scan? I'm confused. Please can anyone advise. I'm worrying myself sick here xx

[scoobyloobyloo]

From what I know your AFC will show how many follicles are waiting to be stimulated. Down regging just prevents them from growing until you start the stimulation process.

Your AFC can go up/down from the original and is only indicative of how many eggs you'll get. I was scanned daily during stimulation and my number of follicles ranged from 6-12 at various points. In the end they said I had 8 but we got 10 eggs from those 8, 4 made it to blast and am currently 21 wks pregnant so you definitely don't need hundreds of eggs! Quality over quantity!

It's definitely not an exact science, your afc can differ from scan to scan and doctor to doctor.

My clinic recommended a pint of milk a day during stims to increase quality as well as 2.5 litres of water.

Lots f luck with it :)

[Homebird1980]

Thank you Scooby! That's really helpful and put my mind at ease. Congrats on your success, that's great.
On the day i had the scan the nurse didn't seem concerned and I think I'm just starting to stress as my next scan is due tomorrow.

I'm also worried as if there's less than 3 eggs collected and I'm not successful then NHS won't offer me anymore help. It's tense.

Thanks again for your help. x

[Chattycat78]

Hi- just to agree with the above. The advice can change from month to month and isn't exact in terms of how many eggs you get. Besides, what actually matters is the quality not the quantity. I had an AFC of 6/7 but when I did IVF I only got 3 follicles, 2 eggs, 1 embryo, 1 bfp and now a 13 month old as a result of that cycle. Incidentally- I'm also 21 weeks pregnant naturally so if low amh is your only issue I would try naturally too!

[Chattycat78]

Sorry I mean the afc can change from month to month....

[bananafish81]

Yes AFC can vary, and also whilst it is just as possible to get fewer eggs than the no of follicles at baseline, sometimes there are also sneaky follicles hiding round the back of the ovaries that can't be visualised on ultrasound but are found at egg collection

My first IVF cycle in Sept 15 my AFC at baseline was 5, and we got 7 eggs
My second IVF cycle in Jan 16 my AFC at baseline was 10, and we got 17 eggs!

I am currently 7 weeks pregnant from one of those eggs, and we saw and heard a little heartbeat this week. We also have four beautiful blasts on ice.

My AMH was 1.5 and my FSH measured as high as 17.6. The NHS would have written me off as a lost cause and lots of clinics would have refused to treat me and given the donor egg speech.

You do not know unless you try!

And AMH is just a measure of quantity - and ultimately quantity is meaningless tbh, it's all about quality

My consultant said he's had women with one follicle, one egg, one embryo and one baby - so it really truly only does take one!

[Homebird1980]

Thank you chattycat and bananafish!
That's really giving me a lot of hope. And congratulations on your success.
I will find out the situation tomorrow morning as I have a scan and bloods to be taken.
Fingers crossed. Thanks again x

[Homebird1980]

Hi, I've just been for my 10day scan and unfortunately I've only 1 follicle measuring 15.4 and a couple of pluses she said but don't think they're likely to catch up. I've to continue with the stims anyway today. Awaiting their phone call this afternoon. Is there any hope? Preparing myself for the worst.

[bananafish81]

Sorry for disappointing news, it's so tough

My consultant said he's had women with one follicle, one egg, one embryo and one baby

And remember in natural conception there is only one egg ovulated - it really does only take one xxx

[Chattycat78]

I'd say there was hope too. That one follicle might be the perfect egg! Drink lots of milk and eat Brazil nuts. Fingers crossed for you.

[Homebird1980]

Thanks girls. Yes after my initial shock and upset I'm trying to keep positive. Lots of rest, protein, water and hot water bottles for the next two days. I got my phone call and I've to keep taking stims and go back on Sunday for another scan so my bloods must be indicating good results. x

[Homebird1980]

Any other stories of success with one follicle or one egg for IVF/ICSI?
Would appreciate some positive stories today for my EC due in a couple of days. x

[Homebird1980]

Anyone at all?x

[bananafish81]

There are lots on my low AMH / high FSH thread on Fertility Friends! Loads!! It really does only take one xx

[Homebird1980]

Banana, thank you so much again for your reply and words of support. I've found the thread you mentioned and is exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you. I'm feeling quite anxious and I think as it gets nearer to EC I'm just scared. Although I am trying to be positive and relaxed .
I really appreciate your help. I'll get on to that forum for a good read now x

[bananafish81]

My consultant says he's had women with 12 eggs and zero fertilisation - and women with one follicle, one egg, one embryo and one baby. The low AMH boards I found very reassuring as it really does show that it's quality not quantity! Xxx