Follicle numbers worry - average numbers / experiences? (IVF/egg freezing)

[StartingAgain33]

I'm an egg freezer, but I guess that's very similar to IVFers!

Had my six day scan today, they could see 15 follicles but only one that was over 1cm. I'm starting to think that's quite bad results for this stage - any idea what's average?

Annoying as the last cycle I was scanned on I had 22 follicles!

[WarriorSmith]

@StartingAgain33
Sorry if i seemed ignorant 🙈 id just assumed you was having IVF (they always say you should never assume)!

It's always good to think ahead and forward plan.

So when you find Mr Right, will they thaw an egg and then introduce the sperm like they would in IVF? Or would they pop the egg inside and then you get pregnant the good ol' fashioned way? 😉
Sorry if I'm asking too many questions - tell me to be quiet
X

[StartingAgain33]

Haha, no it's fine @WarriorSmith!! Appreciate the interest.

They'll do ICSI (i think that's what it's called), after thawing my eggs. Some of the eggs won't survive the thaw / fertilise, so I'd like to get at least 30 ideally.

I found this calculator which tells you how many you need to freeze for your age - useful for anyone else doing this process!

www.mdcalc.com/bwh-egg-freezing-counseling-tool-efct

As I'm 35, freezing 30 means I have a 97% chance of one baby, an 86% chance of 2 and a 66% chance of 3. Of course there are never any guarantees, and i'm by nature a planner / super anxious person, so in the event I don't get 30 I might consider doing more than 3 rounds. Hope not though - it's bloody expensive!

The way I see it though - I'm basically being my own egg donor for later on, if I had issues conceiving. I'm also saving money because later, my eggs would be older and worse quality. So I might have to do many more rounds of IVF to get a baby. Whereas now, I'm doing most of IVF - apart from the fertilisation and transfer part, which I'm saving till later. Spreading the cost if you like!

I think it's a really empowering thing to do, and I hope more women consider it! There's a surprisngly small amount of info out there that isn't scare mongering about it, but it's a relatively new thing to do 'social freezing' (ie when you don't need to do it to preserve fertility in the case of having cancer treatment, for instance). I think the stigma will disappear quite soon, as more people learn about it and take advantage.

[WarriorSmith]

@startingagain33
Fingers crossed you get the same result over the next couple of rounds you have left. I'm sure your consultant would recommend having a break in between, but tbh, i had 64 eggs and my ovaries were fine on my check up. But everyone is different.... just see how you feel - you know your body better than anyone.

We had ICSI - but they didn't take my husbands sperm from his tests, they just injected the sperm he produced into my eggs with a needle. I think they go into the tests if there is a blockage.

You've done lots of homework and it's best to be prepared, I have seen more articles being released about women having their eggs frozen - I think you're right about the stigma, but maybe the cost of the treatment puts people off too.

I used to dance with a lady who went abroad for her IVF treatment after spending £15k in the UK and no luck.
It's such a physical, mental and financial drain.

I'm quite happy to talk openly about our treatment, but that might change if times get hard for us.

How are you feeling now after your ER?

[StartingAgain33]

Yeah I'm feeling fine! Period has come, which definitely feels a bit different - some really strong aches in my ovaries come and go - but mood wise, feeling pretty great actually. Relieved it's over and looking forward to the next.

Cost is definitely prohibitive, and I've had to prioritise this over, say, a deposit for a house for instance (or rather, it's delaying me able to afford one). I also flat-share at 35 which in some ways is not ideal. But I decided that it was better for peace of mind, and it's too easy to get caught up in comparisons of how my life 'should' be. The important thing is I'm making the most of how it is.

How did your ICSI go?

[WarriorSmith]

@startingagain33
I'm glad you're feeling good, it's such an awful feeling after ER - I felt a whole heap of feelings and just wanted to feel better.

Best to get all the big costs of the way with so when you come to have your home, you don't have any large costs to pay out for.
We bought a house and got married in the space of 6 months - while renovating! Never again 😂 I'm surprised we got down the isle 😂😂 the stress was awful. We delayed our treatment because we knew it would be stressful.
So I doubt blame you for doing it this way around at all. The less stress the better!

ICSI went well, our numbers where really high so I'm hoping I don't need to do ER ever again.

[StartingAgain33]

Brilliant. Really hope it works out well for you!

Yes getting married and buying a house are two things to celebrate but also, massively stressful, let alone renovation!! Well done you for getting it all done in one heap. Really hope the ICSI works soon and yes it's very good you have so many eggs to choose from! Do they test them genetically first so you're only using the normal ones?

[WarriorSmith]

@startingagain33
Any feedback from your clinic when they want you to do another cycle?
We're not having them tested, we have friends who will be going through the PGD route due to Huntingdons being in one side of the couple - so that's something they will get tested for at Embryo stage before Transfer.
I think you have to have the history of a disease when using the NSH - is it different for privately funded patients?
Have you requested for your embryos to be tested once you get to that stage later on?

[NRW39]

@StartingAgain33
Just seen this thread...
Well done you. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to egg freeze when I was in my 30s. I didn't meet Mr Right until I was 36 going on 37. (We have male factor infertility). We started IVF when I was 38- I've had 5 cycles- 2 failures, 2 miscarriages and the last cycle was cancelled this week, mid cycle due to the Coronavirus. Gutted.

I'm 40 now. We have one frostie waiting for us when our unit opens for business again, so that's currently keeping me going.

I think you're doing an amazing thing for your future- you or your future partner could have fertility issues and freezing your eggs now means your egg age will be forever 35! And your chances are much increased at your age.

I would encouraging all my younger friends and family to consider this option. I wouldn't wish this IVF journey on anymore- it's brutal and so life changing.

Best wishes x