Waiting for IVF, AMH is only 3.7

[OverinaFlash]

Hello. DH and I have been referred for IVF (been trying for just over two years, one ectopic pregnancy, one fallopian tube removed). Since our referral 4 weeks ago, blood tests showed my AMH is only 3.7 (I'm 29). FSH was >12, and over the past couple of years my cycles have been increasingly short, so I think the signs have been there that all was not as it should be.

I'm really struggling with the unknown, and the waiting. The statistics don't help, I know I need to be positive that it can work, but I also want to be realistic that our situation isn't ideal.

We should be getting our forms/next clinic appointment this week but I have so many questions. Am I going to go through early menopause? Do I have premature ovarian failure, or just low ovarian reserve? I don't know my AFC yet, expecting to have a scan at the next appointment, as they also need to check my other tube for swelling/fluid.

I've started the diet recommended in "It starts with the egg" to try and feel like I'm doing something but I just feel totally overwhelmed and like I'm going a bit mad.

[hoping2018]

Hi @OverinaFlash ,

Sorry to hear what you've been through.

Even if your AMH is low and they don't get many eggs with IVF what you have will be good quality as you're only 29. It is truely quality over quantity.

My AMH is 8 and my FSH 12 and I'm 32. We got 20 eggs on our first cycle of IVF which was completely unexpected - the consultant in follow up said AMH is very accurate and is often wrong and the best guide on how much egg reserve you have is having IVF and seeing how many eggs you get so don't panic yet.

Unfortunately we didn't get any good quality blasts but they think that's more due to sperm reasons so I'm just starting cycle 2 but this time with surgical sperm retrieval. They're giving me a lower dose of drugs as they got too many eggs last time!!

Try not to panic - age is very much on your side xx

[hoping2018]

AMH is very inaccurate**

[OverinaFlash]

Thank you hoping. I know that my age is a positive thing in this situation, I just feel at every turn, I've had more bad news and I'm wondering what the next thing to hit will be.

I think the waiting between finding out the AMH results and actually getting to speak to the consultant is tough, and hopefully when I've been able to ask my questions and get any answers, things will seem clearer.

Part of me just wants to get going on the first cycle, the other part doesn't want to because on this side of things it feels like there's more hope.

[Chattycat78]

Don’t panic. My amh was 2.8 age 34. I felt the same as you and had no idea what it meant. I was given the impression that getting pregnant naturally or through ivf was going to be difficult so felt very negative about my chances. However - I have two boys now - so it’s clearly possible.

However - age is far more important here as it’s egg quality that counts. You’re still very young.

[OverinaFlash]

Thanks chattycat. Its helpful to hear that low AMH is not the doom and gloom that it can seem. I think my main fear is that if my remaining tube is blocked, IVF is our only option and the thought of so many doors being closed is scary. But I am feeling more positive having had time to process some of it, and just waiting now for funding to be approved and get our first appointment. Here's hoping the first round works!