IVF not going well.

[Pleaseletitbeme]

Hi,
I’ve been watching silently for a while.
Started short protocol last Friday and today was first follicle count and measurement.
The consultant said my right ovary hasbt responded (1x10mm follicle) and my left has 3x14mm and 1x 10mm.
He said it’s very disappointing and that due to the position of the ovary it’s mostky likely going to be non-accessible.
Repeat scan on Monday.
I feel incredibly disheartened and just want to curl into a ball and cry.

It’s so hard, I’m so sorry you have to go through this. Dont know what else to say, I hope you get better news very soon.

Huge hugs. The IVF rollercoaster is really hard. Don’t completely lose hope, ovaries can move as the follicles develop, mine was deemed inaccessible potentially and then moved to a better position in time for egg collection.

It does sound like a low response though. Did they expect that based on factors like age and AMH? I would be asking lots of questions about the drug protocol and what could be done differently. Although we all hope IVF works first time, it can help to think of the first cycle as diagnostic, and a learning experience.

Hang in there. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Thank you for your kind words.
I’ve had some lunch and feel a bit more like my old self.
Just need to keep fighting on now.

I remember feeling like I’d lost it several times during the IVF cycles I did. The drugs and hormones affect everything - physical and mental. Be kind to yourself. I found listening to various meditations helpful. Do something nice for yourself if you can. Hang in there. You’re allowed to find it hard though, don’t feel you always have to be strong and brave. I wish you all the best. Good luck xx

I second the IVF rollercoaster being so hard. I remember it well.

I had lots of conflicting advice given to me, but the advice that stood out (probably because I fell pregnant) was that fewer follicles give better quality eggs.

The consultant that told me this was super, and after many many other attempts at other clinics, his advice proved sound.

He also advised me on how best to fall pregnant in the future with IVF, he advised me to listen to him and not follow the standard protocol of the clinic I was under.
He was Greek and shortly moved home to be nearer his family.

His advice worked twice! I had two babies due to this care.

Thanks....
I’ve had a McDonalds. I’ve been so good following a rigid diet. But feel tonnes better having just indulged myself. For one meal only!

Had terrible pain in my left side during the night. Was up twice.
It’s settled now.
Urghhhh. Something else that rings bells of doom.

Hi Op, just to echo what others have said - be kind to yourself

Infertility and IVF is such a rollercoaster of emotions

I tried to treat my first round as a test run to then learn from in future rounds and also (mainly due to my lack of willpower) I didn’t stick to a rigid diet - just no caffeine and alcohol during stim phases

Just trying to say cut yourself some slack and try and enjoy other things while going through a stressful time - even if it is a McDonald’s

Try not to worry too much about numbers of follicles etc. One of those follicles may contain a perfect egg! Hard to remain positive sometimes I know.
I am one of those annoying people who managed to have a baby after only growing 4 follicles after being on high doses of stims. One of the most important things about ivf I think is to have faith in your clinic/consultant.
I hope you are feeling a bit better and I wish you the best of luck with it all xx

OP echo what others are saying, relax, its a mad journey and no two are alike. My first cycle I went nuts following a strict diet and supplements down to a T with not one blast out of it so was cancelled. Second one I was relaxed, pretty much ate what I wanted although I am vegetarian and dont really do fast food but went through mountains of fizzy fangs and percy pigs, only stuck with a couple of supplements, now have 2 on board and waiting for my first scan. During this cycle, when they did an AFC they weren't very hopeful at getting many follies with right ovary doing pretty much nothing, by the time my 3rd scan came along I had 19 potential which ended in 19 mature eggs.
There will be pain but remember to drink some sort of hydration drink like Gatorade to lessen the risk of OHSS

Thanks guys.
It means so much to hear positive stories.
At 4am I was convinced I had an ovarian torsion.
The pain has massively settled.
But my left ovary feels very heavy?! Is that even possible

Don't lose hope op. My friend never had any follicles during her first scans and was told her ovaries were non responsive. She did ok eventually with plenty of eggs harvested.

Thank you so much.
My consultant was very doom and gloom on friday.

Thank you so much.
My consultant was very doom and gloom on friday.

I had 6 follicles on CD7 scan only 3 with one inaccessible on CD10 Scan only 1 mature egg produced and is currently inside me and now in TWW, I was gutted but as others told me, it only takes one egg! so staying as positive as I can be. Whilst on Stims my Ovaries were sore too!

Ivf is so so hard. We had a terrible first cycle and the consultant told us that our chances of success with ivf had dropped to 5-10% per cycle. Yet here I am after cycle 2 and waiting for baby to drop any day now. They learn a lot from each failed cycle so try to stay optimistic xxx

So scan today.
Right ovary has totally given up. Nothing at all there today.
Left ovary has one at 18mm and two at 14mm
Ovary in better place today but I guess that could change so that it becomes so inaccessible.
The stats are just so against us.
The odds of getting an egg, then getting one to fertilise then getting it to implant and then to term just all seem to go against us.
Our raw materials are in such short supply. I feel like such a failure.

Another scan on Wednesday and then possible aim for EC on friday.

Please try and stay positive and keep fighting. As another poster said, focus on quality not quantity. I had the opposite problem to you, I had loads of useless follicles that were poor quality and slow to grow. It only takes one to make a successful pregnancy and we won't all follow the ideal progression. In the end I had only one embryo that was acceptable but it worked and I got my baby!

Thank you all you lovely people for taking the time to support me.
I’m just so sad.
My Mum died 3 years ago and it’s not something I’ve come to terms with. I miss her so much...I’m finding it so hard today.

@Pleaseletitbeme That's so hard, OP. It's ok to feel sad and to acknowledge just how hard everything you are going through is!

I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry about 'what ifs' and worst case scenarios and take it one day at a time.

Sending love and prayers

Sorry you're having such a rubbish time OP, and missing your mum to confide in.

Can I ask:
Is it your first cycle?
If your cycle is NHS or private?
My first NHS cycle one ovary didn't respond at all and the other had a very poor response. It was decided that if they cancelled the cycle before egg collection then I could try again with a different protocol (whereas if they had proceeded with egg collection that would have been the end of my funding).
Check though what your CCG rules are.

At the private clinic I'm at, they have said if I have a poor response to stims they will give me the option to cancel before egg collection, as it's the most expensive part of the cycle. Even with only a few follicles I will probably take the chance as my AMH is low so I'm not expecting a big haul. But I could decide to stop before egg collection and try a different stims protocol to see if I get more follicles.

Anyway I hope your next scan brings good news but thought this was worth mentioning just in case.
Good luck 💐

Hi,
It’s my first private cycle.

Had last scan today and I’m feeling a tiny bit more positive.
5 follicles are visible. So hoping to get 3-4 good quality eggs.
EC Friday... the next thing to worry about.

I had 4 follicles, 2 eggs, 1 embryo, 1 BFP and a baby 9 months later. It is possible!