I am so so sorry to hear that you lost your child. Was that a miscarriage? I have never experienced that and can only imagine the heartache.
How did I increase my follicle count? Well my first few IVF's I had a day 2 or 3 scan and I only had between 6-8 follicles in total. I then read this online:
The volume of the ovaries correlates with ovarian response. The volume of each ovary is calculated using the formula (length x width x height x 0.5 ) and the normal ovarian volume of both ovaries combined is 10 ml. Women with small ovaries (volume of less than 4 ml) have a poor ovarian response.
www.drmalpani.com/oopause.htm
I looked at my ultrasound reports and calculated the volume of my ovaries. My combined ovarian volume was actually above 10ml, which is normal according to this website. So then I wondered why am I not producing many follicles if I have normal size ovaries? I then read a study showing that Aspirin doubles the number of eggs collected during IVF. It made sense that Aspirin could help me because Aspirin is a blood thinner and I have a very very light period so perhaps the reason for my low follicle numbers is due to a lack of blood supply. I took Aspirin for two cycles in the lead up to my next IVF and I was so ecstatic when my day 2 scan showed 16 follicles!!!! I kept taking Aspirin during my IVF cycle as well but even though I started with more follicles, I only had a few respond. I then learned that Aspirin interferes with follicle growth. So I should only take it in the lead up to IVF and stop one week before my IVF cycle to make sure it is out of my system for when I start the medication so my follicles will grow. I have since had much better response and produced several mature follicles for my last two IVF cycles. But then for my last two IVF cycles, I stuffed up the egg maturation injection!!!! So I am trying IVF one last time where I will take Aspirin in the lead up to IVF and not stuff up the egg maturation injection and finally hopefully get a decent number of eggs... and my miracle baby.
Sorry for the long explanation. I just want to give you the full details so you can be aware that Aspirin is not suitable if you are trying naturally as I have read and seen from my own experience that it hinders follicle growth. It is only good for in the lead up to IVF to help start with lots f follicles. And it probably only helps for cases like mine where the low follicle count is due to a lack of blood supply.
Were all your scans done on day 2-3 of your cycle? Or were they mid way through your cycle and perhaps that is why the last two scans showed less follicles because your body had already gone through the process of selecting the best follicle to produce an egg for that cycle and allowing the others to shrivel away?
Is it rude to ask how old you are? I am 37 - turning 38 in July.
Do you know the size of your ovaries to know if they are normal size? Are you on a waiting list to have IVF via the NHS?
I know how heartbreaking this journey is. I will be doing my 10th IVF attempt next cycle and it is sending me broke. But I will be thousands in debt after this attempt and can't afford to keep going any more. So I have a real pressure on myself that this one needs to work because I just can't accept having to say goodbye to my baby dream.