Only 3 follicles at IVF scan. Do you think I stand a chance?

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I am 42 years old and doing my first cycle of IVF which started 21st November. I had my follicle scan yesterday which showed 3 follicles on my left ovary but nothing at all on my right ovary. Because of my age, I am on a 450 dose of Gonal F, along with luveris. I am not having any side effects at all except for the occasional twinge in the ovaries. The strange thing is thought that I am feeling more activity and more twinges in my right ovary even though the scan showed no follicles. How can this be? My other questions are that do you think I have any chance with just 3 follicles at age 42 and also I have another ivf follicle scan tomorrow, so do you think there is any chance of them finding any more follicles or even picking up any on my right ovary that they missed? thanks x

[tommy1975]

Hi. I'm new to this site. I am 43, have 3 kids (12, 17 and 22) from my first marriage. I had my tubes tied after my last child. Big mistake. No my partner and I want a baby and are on our first cycle of IVF. today on my 8 day scan the doctor said I have one big follicle and two small ones. Is that bad??? Please help. I don't understand at all

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi Frazoz, I totally agree with you, I do think the whole system needs looking at. I also think that immune testing and thorough testing needs to be done before someone has an IVF cycle, to save them thousands and thousands of pounds on failed IVF cycles. Even though I have only had one failed IVF cycle, I am going to make doubly sure that I get my Chicago immune blood tests done before embarking on the next IVF cycle. I read this story yesterday about a woman conceiving after 2 miscarriages by taking aspirin. Read this story, here is the link www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/532219/Fertility-treatment-aspirin-helps-couple-conceive Sorry that you missed out on a refund, that must have been gutting for you. It really is frustrating when you don't really have the finances like us. That's why I strongly think women should get important immune tests done before they waste thousands and thousands on failed IVF tests when they find out that taking something as simple as a low dose aspirin each day can help implantation and stop miscarriage. Hope this helps you x

[Frazoz]

Hoping - I understand what you're saying about the pessaries/gel but I think it depends on the clinic as my clinic told me to test on day even if AF hadn't shown not to leave it as the progestrone can stop/delay your AF.

I'm really sorry to hear that the cycle hasn't worked we are in a similar position on the money front and found out today that we missed getting a refund (our NHS funding came through) by 11 days and it's only offered for 6 months and you have to use all frozen embies before you can use it.

It took the CCG 3 months to approve it which doesn't sound long but we never even received a follow up appointment from the hospital like we were supposed to and heard abs nothing from them until I ended up in hospital and the Gyny ward needed my notes!!

I think the whole system needs looking at to be honest.

[hopingformiracle1]

Another point too. These IVF clinics give you crinone Gel or other progesterone supplements to take after embryo transfer. This stops you having a period or delays it. I feel this gives women false hope because they feel they could be pregnant if they don't come on. Because I am in tune with my body, I knew I would be on my period. The crinone Gel is good in other ways though, it can support the pregnancy and prevent miscarriage. I also think many of these IVF clinics are just about money making, after all it is just a business to them. My clinic was fine with me but I felt it was all about business. It cost us about 6,500 for this failed cycle..

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks allchat, it is very difficult for me and especially it being over the Christmas time. Everyone is going to be celebrating and having fun and I will just want to stay in. I will try to enjoy Christmas though in my own way and treat myself. I was like you at first too, researching all the reasons as to why it failed and wondering why on earth life can be so cruel at times. Why we have to suffer like that. I am in tune with my body yes and I knew straight away it had failed. I remember feeling so positive on the embryo transfer day, everyone was wishing me luck. I was praying so hard for it to work all the way throughout the treatment and when the reality hits you, you come down with a thump. Its a shit feeling. There is a relative of mine due to give birth in February and there will be a huge fuss made of that. I will be hearing all about that for ages. I am happy for her yes but going to keep a low profile though out it all. Its going to be a testing time for me and I will need time to heal before the next one in April x

[allchatnicknamesgone]

Hi hoping. I had a failed cycle in October so I know that shit shit feeling. You are right though and you do need a little bit of time to grieve and get your head around the failure. I went into panic mode and tried to look for reasons. there wasn't any and after some time I've put it down to probability. I hope that there is a reason why it didn't work and you seem to be in tune with your body, so I really hope that you manage to enjoy Christmas and then focus on the next steps. Treat yourself and be kind and you will feel better soon, x

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Strawberry, you are right, I do need to take time to grieve about this and I know it is going to take a while too. I am going to avoid situations where there will be loads of families with young children. There are some people in my own family with young children and who are also pregnant right now and they are always bragging about their pregnancy. There are also others to love to rub my nose in it when they hear about someone pregnant. I totally avoid these people now altogether. There are many spiteful people out there who get off on other people's misery. I will avoid anything that stresses me out and makes me feel the same way. I have also decided for the next IVF cycle, I am going to try a new IVF clinic, one that does immune testing before the cycle, this one has one of the highest success rates in the world.

[strawberry1202]

Im so sorry to hear your news hoping. I can't imagine how you're feeling but I do think you need time to grieve for this loss, take care of yourself and be a bit selfish in protecting yourself at such an emotional time of year. I was reading your post about seeing families out shopping and how upsetting that is - that was me 100% last year and the year before, and so I really think you should, if you can, avoid them, and anything else that makes you feel the same way, and not feel bad in anyway for doing so - you don't have to be brave or be the bigger person at times like this.
I really hope in the longer term you and your clinic can learn from this round and that helps with the next one, although I'm sure it will be very hard to see it positively at the moment. xxx

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi, don't know if I mentioned before, I do have one son who is 24 from a past relationship. I am very lucky to have him and he is an amazing person. I would love to have a child with my husband though as we have been married 15 years coming up.

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi, different doctors suggest different things, although they do have special conception multi vitamins for women trying to conceive with are recommended by the top health agencies and said to be safe. That's the ones I am talking about. I know what you mean about other vitamins though and I agree, you do have to be so careful. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise is more important and another really important factor is to limit stress. Stress is suppose to be a huge factor of infertility.

[Nyyadee]

Thank u very much for all the infor IVF and infertility is just hard to deal with and it's sumthing we have no control over! I also have a fibroid that's the same as 14 week pregnancy although it's not in the uterus it makes it harder when they are doing the scans! I also had to lose over 3 stone as my Bmi was over the required bmi for a funded cycle! That took me 5 months to do! I thought I was home and dry and now to have a cancelled cycle it just seems like I was never meant to be a mum!

[Pipbin]

Also, listen to this: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d4p0b It talks about the pain of infertility so well.
You need to grieve for the child you don't have, for the mother that you aren't yet and gap in your life.
Like grief you don't get over it you just learn to live with it.

[Nyyadee]

I totally agree

[Pipbin]

Do not take multivitamins!
They are dangerous. My clinic told me that no one should take them ever. Take folic acid. That is all.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24563590

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Nyyadee and Pipbin, its going to take me a while yes to get over it. I will need to grieve. I am almost sure I have killer cells that prevent the embryo from implanting. About 4 days after embryo transfer, I felt inflammation In my uterus, like my body trying to fight the embryo. I had a feeling from then it had fails. What makes it worse is that over the years, I have felt the same thing several times. I most probably conceived naturally and my own immune system keeps killing the embryo. I am going to have Killer cells tests done in January to prove my theory. I can't have another cycle until next April because my husband is away until then with work. It feels like everything I against me right now, but one thing I have learned in this life is that you have to fight like hell for what you want and don't give up. I bet you were devastated yes, I was hoping and praying that never happened to me when I was having my follicle scans. Just be prepared for the next journey. At least age is on your side. I will be 43 when I have my next cycle.

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi Nyyadee, nice to meet you. Sorry to hear that they cancelled your cycle, seems like the Stimulation drugs did not work for you. When you see your clinic next, the consultant may discuss other treatment options with you and give you a realistic opinion of whether they think you stand a chance or not. That's what they did for me and then its your decision proceed or not. My 1st cycle of IVF has just failed a few weeks after embryo transfer. I had 2 eggs, one fertilised. Like Pipbin just said to me, start eating well and exercising and even taking multi vitamins and folic acid tablets. I wouldn't bother with aspirin or pineapple to be honest. Cut down on caffeine and try to get your immune system in balance. Try accupunture, some people say it has worked for them. The main thing is not to give up hope whatever the clinic says, and if you need to, find another clinic that specialises in your type of case. Look for the success rates and all the testing they do beforehand. Research as much as you can and gain knowledge, that will save you a lot of money on failed IVF

[Pipbin]

You need to allow yourself time to grieve.

[Nyyadee]

Hi hoping
I m sorry to hear that this didn't work! I too started my cycle same day as you but unfortunately we had to cancel the cycle on Friday as I only had 3 follicles that were not growing! I am devastated to say the least after all the injections and side effects! I m waiting to see the consultant next week to hear what they say! No one can ever tell u they know what u r going thru unless they have gone thru it??!
You said you hv to wait until April why 4 months?
You need to cry about it, and try and prepare for the next round!
I will say a little prayer for u!??

[Nyyadee]

Hello ladies!
I m new and I m hopping u can help me!
I just had a call from my clinic saying they are going to cancel my Ivf cycle as I only had 3 follicles and they were not growing, also the uterus lining wasn't thick enough! I only have 1 ovary and blocked tubes! Have been trying to conceive for 10 years! I m 36 years old! It's a funded cycle! What can I expect from the clinic when I see them next week? What can I do to prepare for the next cycle? How long till I can start my next cycle? I was on 375 menopur?
Please help? I have been signed off work till the 4th of Jan! I read something abt aspirin,pineapple!

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Pipbin, feeling a bit numb at the moment, feels a bit like someone has died, a sort of loss, if that makes sense, but you are right. I need to focus now on round two. I wont be able to do this until next April, but in the mean time, I can get myself prepared and ready for it. I will arrange to get some killer cell tests done after Christmas, eat well and start exercising. Right now, I just feel like doing nothing.

[Pipbin]

Hoping. Sorry to hear that. I understand how hard it is.

Look to the next round though. You will know what to expect so it will be less stressful. Your clinic will have learned from this too so will adjust your dosage accordingly.
Start eating well and exercising and get your body ready for round two.

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi everyone, an update for you. I started my full period today. Not spotting but full period. I have felt premenstrual tension for the last week or so and knew it was going to happen. I know the IVF has definitely failed this time. I will however do the other test on Christmas day to doubly confirm this but I already know.

[hopingformiracle1]

Aww thanks everyone, I just feel so fed up right now. I was so positive and hopeful throughout the IVF cycle process. This time of year is worse for women trying to conceive. That's all you see is families with children all excited for Christmas. People toy shopping for their kids. I was out yesterday and all I seen were couples with their beautiful children. The tears were building up in my eyes, wishing I was them. I will keep trying though and I wont give up even if it fails this time, thanks for being there for me everyone xxx

[strawberry1202]

Please disregard that test result, you really won't get an accurate result until the allotted day because (i think?) The test is looking for particular hormones that wouldn't be present yet either way. I'm really hoping that its good news, but if not there will still be lots to learn from this round, just please take care of yourself between now and Christmas and try not to take any more tests until then. And we are all here for you.

[BumWad]

Been following your thread and have got my fingers crossed for you hoping