What would you do?

[Kirstmcd]

I’ve just finished first fresh cycle of ICSI. I’m 42, nearly 43. AHM level of 6.5. I had 5 eggs produced, 4 fertilised and 2 embryos transferred. Have to go back on Friday for pregnancy blood test. Not feeling confident and feel very emotional. Would you get another round (it will be self funding again)? I’m not sure my partner would want to, as I don’t think he’s as bothered as me. I know I need to wait and see results but do feel so down about the whole thing,

5 eggs with 4 fertilised sounds quite good to me. Did they give any indication of what they were expecting? Do you have any particular diagnosis?

It is hard, very hard.....,

It's too long ago for me now to understand AMH levels etc, but during our 8 long years of IVF (all self-funded, sadly), I always said to my DH that I didn't want to get to the age of 50/60 etc and say "I wish I'd tried this or that". I had to try everything in my power to have a longed-for baby.

In our case it worked. It was our final cycle and I only had 5 eggs of which, I think, 3 fertilised. 2 put back and 1 stuck. Our child is now 13.

I can't tell you what to do, but there is a lot of validity in just doing everything you can. Even if things don't work out (and I truly hope that they do), it would have given me a grain of comfort knowing I couldn't do any more.

Hiya

my first cycle of ICSI last year resulted in 5 eggs only 1 fertilised.. transferred that one 3days after and it was successful but we miscarriaged at 10 weeks.. no eggs left so had to start another cycle 2month after my miscarriage and it cost £5000 we got the same outcome at egg collection only 5 eggs retrieved and only 1 fertilised.. so we transferred it again 3 days after and ive just got my baby girl 🥰 she’s nearly 12 week old... July 2019... don’t give up..
Good luck for the future ❤️

Thank you for all your kind messages. They really help. I think they were expecting 3-4 eggs so they were pleased with 5. It was a day 3 transfer for 2 embryos. My partner does have a low sperm count, but not so low that it would be impossible for me to get pregnant naturally. That is why the hospital suggested ICSI and not just IVF.

If anyone has any other suggestions about making your eggs as good quality as possible that would be appreciated. 🥰

Read a book called "It starts with the egg". Found it very useful when I was preparing for ivf (self funded too).
Fingers crossed you have a positive outcome.

Well we had ICSI for serve male factor.. my partner had only 4.... yes 4 sperm in his sample and we are 34 and 36 years of age and would never have got pregnant naturally.. we didn’t anyway and we have been together since 15 years old and NEVER used contraception and I’ve never been on pill.. and it worked on both cycles so it just goes to show xx

Hi Kir it would be lovely to see you get a BFP from this round but if not you will know if you want to do it again.
Your partner doesn't have to do much so if you're up for it and he's on board then you could go for it, depending on what the clinic say at your follow up appointment.

Did the other 2 embryos not develop as well, or were you lucky enough to get a frozen embryo.

I'm a 'mature' IVF-er and am looking into one more cycle with my eggs then donor eggs.

Congratulations to Shazzz that's a lot of unprotected sex!! So for your IVF to work shows it really does seem to be what was needed.

Everything is relative I think your amh is pretty good, mine was 1.8 at 36. We did have success eventually but it was six rounds, Mf as well. as long by as your getting embryos your in with a chance. On this journey you need to take the path of least regret x

There are some dietary changes you can make to improve egg quality, switching to lowish carb/high protein, supplements etc, plus it helps to reduce caffeine, eliminate alcohol etc. I found Fertility Friends to be a good forum to find out more about this.

The other approach to look into is to make sure you manage stress, and do some mind-body work. I had hypnotherapy, and we conceived on our third round of IUI afterwards. Could be coincidence, but there is evidence to show that hypnotherapy for fertility doubles the conception rate, for both IVF and trying naturally. I took the view that if we were paying thousands for fertility treatment it would be silly not to pay an extra few hundred on something that could double our chances. There’s more info on it in ‘Is your mind fertility friendly’ by Jackie Brown. I got it in Kjndle for a couple of quid. It has some really good info in it.

Thank you, all great suggestions! 😍 much appreciated. Yes I think if I do it again; I will have to manage my stress better.,

Unfortunately other 2 embryos didn’t develop successfully so none to freeze unfortunately.

I had AMH of 2.4, my icsi resulted in 6 eggs, 5 mature, all fertilised, 1 transferred, 2 frozen, 1 perfect 9 month old boy.

I took DHEA before egg collection. I also went abroad for treatment - to the Czech Republic.

I never had none to freeze on both my ICSI cycles as only 1 egg fertilised both times... crap int it xx

What is DHEA?

It's a supplement which can be used to boost low AMH levels. There's information on it here www.centerforhumanreprod.com/services/infertility-treatments/dhea/whatis/ or you can search yourself, there have been several medical trials on it.

Thank you!