Low amh / 3 lead follicles - need some hope!

[VenusStarr]

I'm doing my first round of IVF, this is my one and only nhs round. I have low amh (5) so was warned they weren't expecting much from me. I have had 4 naturally concieved miscarriages and am following an immune protocol but worried about my low numbers.

I've been on stims since Thursday and had my first scan today. I have 3 decent sized follicles: 2x12mm, 1x10mm plus 5 smaller ones all about 5mm. The nurse seemed happy but thinks that the smaller ones won't come to anything. Follow up is Wednesday and looking at egg collection sometime between Friday and Monday.

I'm on another thread and everyone has loads of follicles / eggs, so struggling not to compare. Due to my low numbers, we've already discussed a day 3 transfer, but I'm worried we won't even get that far.

Please share any positive stories. X

@jolly86 thank you !
So for all those who have already undertaken the 2WW I was wondering if period cramps were normal? I've been getting them quite strongly this afternoon and was pretty sure my period was coming at one point !! Also I've had a belter of a headache all day. Wasn't sure if this is normal so soon after transfer ?

@Luan82 keeping my fingers crossed for you! Yes, I got cramps all through the 2ww - mild, but present most days. I also got bad headaches... I think dehydration can be a factor - ovarian stimulation can push fluid in our bodies into what's called the 'third space', so the volume of fluid in our blood vessels can be less than usual - drinking lots of water can help balance things out again and I found the headaches lessened with that.

@Scirocco really? I had put it all down to the progesterone tbh, I am drinking a pint of water now hopefully it will help- thankyou !! 🤞🏼🙏🏼❤️x

Hello I hope everyone is doing well! Just wanted to update that I had my scan today. Baby measuring 7 weeks 2 days which is perfect and we saw the heartbeat. My husband was allowed in and both had a little cry.

Congratulations @jolly86 - so happy for you! 💜

@jolly86 wonderful news!! ❤️

So sorry everyone I didn’t get any notifications so didn’t know you’d been posting!
Amazing news @jolly86 it’s such a relief to have a scan isn’t it? Hopefully you’ll feel a bit less anxious about it all now.
@Luan82 I had cramping too and for a week or so after a positive- the nurse said it was normal. How are you doing? You must be near test day so keeping everything crossed for you 🤞
How are you @Scirocco? Are you managing to stay calm after the scan?
I have my 12 week scan booked in for 20 July now. Had some nausea and tiredness but not doing too bad and starting to believe this is actually happening! In other news we decided we are getting the puppy, hope it’s not madness, she’s 2 weeks old but not picking her up until 10weeks. We may be mad?! She’ll be 7months before due date so hoping she’ll be pretty good by then.

@39andabit you're not mad at all!! It's a lovely idea, will definitely keep you busy for the next 9 months! 😉 - I'm quite close to test date - no spotting or bleeding at all so I'm guessing either my period is late or the progesterone is simply delaying it... nausea, flushes, headaches cramping sore boobs if it's not positive I've learnt an important lesson this cycle - that these pessaries have really done a number on me!! 😂xx

I’m so sick of the messy pessaries now, nearly finished. It’s impossible not to symptom spot, sounds good but but it’s just a case of incessant waiting, hoping you get a lovely strong line very soon. Stay sane in the last few days, I struggled! X

That's a lovely idea with the puppy @39andabit - plus it means they can grow up together! Not long til your scan now too!

@Luan82 the pessaries are powerful little things aren't they - I feel like they make me less sane day by day... Good luck for test day!

I've been having some issues with pain, low blood pressure, fainting, etc but no bleeding. The Early Pregnancy team were really dismissive so I've had another private scan and a telephone appointment with my GP instead. No issues picked up with the pregnancy but I can't shake the feeling that something is going to go wrong when it's been such a bumpy road already. I've a scan with the IVF clinic on Tuesday for monitoring.

@39andabit yup only three days to go! It's funny I thought I'd have really been dying to test by now but On the on hand I'll be glad to stop talking the pessaries if it's negative and on the other really sad to have to burst my little 'pregnancy' bubble !! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼❤️❤️❤️
@Scirocco so sorry to hear you're struggling ! It's very very hard especially when you've been through struggles and pregnancy loss before - I've been absolutely terrified of another ectopic so much so that I've been ultra careful trying not to bend over and twist or even sleep on my side for the past two weeks !! 🤦🏻‍♀️x

Thanks @Scirocco and @Luan82 you’re making me feel better about the puppy!
@Scirocco so sorry to hear it’s been tough. I had problems with shakiness and low blood pressure too but it seems a bit better now. I wonder if it’s partly the extremes of IVF drugs and then pregnancy on the hormones? Glad you have another scan. I know I was so anxious and you’ve really been through the mill. Take care.
@Luan82 it’s a weird one isn’t it, the dread of a negative vs just wanting to know. I had a plan of things I’d do that week if it was negative (mainly involving booze) but go to a hard gym class, buy myself a new dress, go out for a nice dinner and drinks with friends etc… eat all the cheese!
It’s such a tough situation so be kind to yourself. Wishing you all the luck 🍀

@39andabit yes! Absolutely! We're going away to centre parks in a few weeks so I have planned to book a review appointment with the consultant, I already have a plan for further treatment if it's required so will start planning for that whilst giving my body a rest for a month or two - treat myself to a few things (like gin!) back to running again (slowly) and getting my hair done again before we go away it's a good thing to do - little bit of self care 💆🏻‍♀️ xx

Hello ladies,

Hope you don’t mind me posting on the thread. I’ve been found to have a low AMH (4.2 on the first count, 6.9 on the second). Thrilled to see some of you have had success with IVF and am rooting for those still going through the process.

Could I ask those of you who are heading for/ have had IVF what diagnostic tests you had first?

I have been offered a referral straight to IVF. But the consultant recommended I have either lap & dye or tube x-ray first. He’s left it for me to decide which is quite stressful.

Do IVF clinics like you to have had some of these tests before they will begin? Or do they prefer to just get started sooner rather than later with low AMH?

Thanks and sending you all best wishes.

Hello! I would suggest checking your tubes which can be diagnostic if your tubes are blocked- but can even increase your chances of falling pregnant even if not! I wouldn’t suggest lap and dye as any operation can damage the ovarian reserve further, plus why do they suggest this do they suspect endometriosis? I had my tubes checked (hsg) as well and they were clear but I did fall pregnant right away although that ended in miscarriage. It doesn’t hurt to have it -and in case they found tubes are blocked sometimes it’s necessary to operate them to increase ivf success. All the best!

Hello jolly

So pleased you have a little miracle on the way, and your post further up thread about you and your DH having a little cry when you saw the heartbeat made me tearful too!

Yes they suspect endometriosis as I’ve always had severe period pain. Although having lived with the pain all my life I’m willing to wait til after TTC to get a definite diagnosis if it means jeopardising our chances of having a baby.

How did you find the HSG? Very sorry that you conceived and then miscarried, how cruel.

Wishing you a happy and safe pregnancy.

Hi @NavyTeal sorry I didn’t get ant notifications so missed your message!! Endometriosis can affect your chances of ivf only if it has blocked your tubes and caused hydrosalpinx, which again can be seen in the Hsg. I dont think there is much treatment for endometriosis anyways even with laparoscopy as it can come back, plus the risk of diminishing your ovarian reserve. For me Hsg wasn’t bad at all. I think it is useful to do it before ivf just to check there isnt something in the tubes that can affect ivf success. Good luck to you and thanks for your kind wishes!!

@NavyTeal Sorry you’re dealing with this too, it’s tough. Have you had any scans? My consultant said baseline scans gave a better indication of success than just AMH alone. I had a laparoscopy years ago for suspected Endo but they didn’t find any ‘active’ my bowel was stuck to my womb which was causing the pain! Because there was no sign of issues with my Fallopian tubes I went straight to IVF to save time but we would have done the HSG. My clinic were keen to progress to IVF due to my age and low follicle count but if I was 35 I might consider more tests. Age is still a big factor even if you have low AMH as you’re more likely to have better quality embryos. All the very best of luck 🤞
I’ve now made it to 12 weeks so I’m over the moon and about to turn 40 in a few weeks 😬

@jolly86 hope you’re feeling ok and all is going well 🤞