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

Heard from them just there, @VenusStarr. All 6 mature but only 3 fertilised. Next update will be Saturday morning pre- day 5 transfer unless something goes wrong meaning they'll need to fo a day 3. If there's nothing to transfer (which they said is about a 50% chance) then they'll tell me on Saturday morning.

@jolly86 so sorry you had a stressful transfer. I think 4BB is good though. I had a 4AB and 4BC transferred and a 4AC frozen so not too different. I did some research after as the B/C worried me but I think it’s ok, it’s as much is the embryo genetically normal as high graded and you can’t tell unless you do PGT. I also saw lots of threads with people being successful with average grades embryos too! I follow this account on Instagram and there’s really good info on here on embryo quality and other research instagram.com/nurture.hf?utm_medium=copy_link

And this website had a good article

www.sensiblesurrogacy.com/quality-grade-of-embryos/

hope the links work?!

I think it’s really hard when it doesn’t go smoothly as it’s such a stressful experience when everything is perfect let alone when it’s not! There’s no advice but it’s ok to feel pissed off and stressed, just try and find some positive distractions when you can and be kind to yourself.

@VenusStarr I agree, I think this thread has really helped me too. I have been very strong willed and resisted the urge to test. I’m waiting until tomorrow and just hoping the faint line is not a chemical pregnancy. I’m still pleased to have got this far but will be gutted if it hasn’t worked.
Don’t worry about cramps, that can be a good sign and as you say the progesterone causes all sorts of fun side effects!

@Jolly86 that sounds so stressful!

I've been really surprised by how terrible the communication and basic empathy has been during this whole process - you would really hope for a bit more of both in such a stressful experience...

4BB is still good - but I totally understand the shock and disappointment. If they'd been clearer about it then the experience might have been different for you.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you and your embryo - it's been a fighter to get to this stage so keep believing in it. Come on embryo, you can do it!

Thanks everyone!!
@VenusStarr thank you
@39andabit yes I am also reading on grading and trying to think it doesn't matter too much! Also your positive- although early- gives me hope! I was also looking at that article- strange that it puts success rate at 50 for average embryos, and 65 for top level! For example my clinic's success rate per fresh transfer is around 45, so I wonder how?! I also think not everyone is told the grading of their embryos, in my case I don't think they were going to tell me. I kind of agree - unless its top quality- that there isn't much benefit to telling the exact grade.
@Scirocco yes I do believe that the communication wasn't great- for ex not getting an update about day 3 left me wondering until the transfer day when I had a big shock :(

@Scirocco the embryologist said they all apply the criteria differently and my C was a good C so I think it’s not an exact science anyway! No day 3 update is a nightmare! My clinic have been great so I can’t complain. I do think it makes a difference when you feel they actually know you a bit!!

Hope you’re all doing ok (and your embryos), the sun is shining here which always makes me feel a tiny bit better. Keeping everything crossed 🤞

Sorry meant to tag you in @jolly86 but hi 🙋‍♀️ @Scirocco

Hi there I finally got my call no good news. Nothing frozen- there were 3 other embryos 4bc, 4cc and 5dc but they don't freeze anyting below bb as they don't think they'll survive. Maybe a cost saving measure, who knows.

@jolly86 I'm so sorry.

This variability between clinics and gradings just makes an already heartbreaking process even harder.

Here's hoping your little embryo on board keeps fighting 💜

@jolly86
Where abroad are you thinking of going?

@jolly86,
Sorry to hear there was nothing to freeze, I had the same on my first IVF.
Hope your 4BB (which I agree is a good one!) sticks!

@Scirocco thank you, yes I cannot say I am super happy with my clinic, although I had started off more optimistic. I feel like they care about their per transfer pregnancy level and maybe why they don't want to freeze lower quality embryos, as well as cost saving of course.

@TheDutchess3 thank you. It will be in Turkey if I do another cycle.

Yay for 3 fertilised @Scirocco that's great news! 🤞 For you. I was preparing for a day 3 transfer and found some positive outcomes. Hope you can keep distracted over these next few days.

I've got everything crossed for you for tomorrow @39andabit ❤️ nearly there now.

I'm so sorry your other embryos didn't make it @jolly86, sending you a big hug. This whole process is so hard. It's OK to feel sad or disappointed, it took a lot of hard work and effort to get those little embabies 💜

One of the nurses from my clinic just called and I immediately felt anxious and thought 'what's happened?' but then had a word with myself. Turns out it was just a check in call to see how I am getting on. Which was really nice.

I think anxiety in general is setting in for me now, I'm not on such a high as I was. I just want a bit longer with my embaby, feeling quite attached and don't want it to end. X

@Scirocco I am sorry I missed your update earlier, that is good news you got 3 fertilized! Was it via ICSI or IVF? Hope you can get a day 5 transfer but day 3 is also good, especially if they put in 2. Do they still transfer only 1 on day 3? I feel like nhs is overly cautious about not transferring 2 and cant help thinking that sometimes embryos are wasted.

@jolly86 they used icsi, so I'm worried about a 50% failure of fertilization... They've already said they wouldn't put in 2, only 1, and they're talking about drop-off meaning it's 50:50 whether we'll have anything to transfer at all. That's not even taking grading into consideration as apparently they won't transfer anything with a d grading even if it's the only one..

@Scirocco I missed that earlier post too! That sounds promising although the waiting is hardcore isn’t it?! Don’t be disheartened about ‘only’ having 3. We only had 4 and they said the same to me particularly given my age. I think they prepare you for disappointment which is probably a safer option. Remember it’s quality that’s important. Keeping everything crossed for you!
Have you got a busy week? Hope you can find some nice distractions.

Thinking of you this morning @39andabit ❤️🙏

Thinking of you @39andabit 💜

Thanks @VenusStarr @Scirocco. The stress continues... had a very, very faint almost undetectable line with the clinic test so did another test which is the same sensitivity and have a slightly better line on that. I’ve ordered some more First Response tests to come tomorrow so I can compare from Monday (the clinic and other test are 25 sensitivity).
I’m really worried it’s a chemical but so grateful to still be in the game.
I’m going to ring the clinic at 8.01 and see if I can book a blood test ASAP 🤞
Hope you’re both doing ok.

You're definitely still in @39andabit 🤞 the line on the blue test is very clear. Congratulations 🥰 hopefully your clinic will reassure you and a blood test can give you peace of mind.

Have you had any symptoms at all? X

@VenusStarr thanks so much that makes me feel better!
I have been feeling a bit nauseous but more at night and had a heightened sense of smell. I felt rough last night, really tired, stomach pains and had the shakes, still shaky this morning but I think that could just be anxiety really.
So hoping it’s a slow grower not an early loss. I’d be over the moon if it works out. Just need to try and be calm, easier said than done!
I was thinking it may be better that yours is a blood test as at least it feels more accurate although the trip to the clinic and waiting is possibly worse? There’s no easy way with IVF is there?!
How are you feeling? Any symptoms?

@39andabit 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 for you today, definitely see a line there and it doesn't look like a very sensitive test either. Bloods are definitely the way forward - to see those levels rising nicely - wishing you all the best xx

It's so hard not to overthink isn't it @39andabit? Impossible to switch off and not think about it. But it looks like you are pregnant ☺️

I'm OK, super thirsty. I'm aware of my uterus / pelvic area but don't know if that's because I'm focusing on it? Don't feel periody today. I still feel like I believe this could have worked. I don't know if that's my mind trying to 'think positively' but it's nice not to be negative about this!
I'm thinking the blood test is probably a good idea, it'll be a clear answer and I can't control the outcome. I'll just keep myself busy on the day. My husband will be working though, and I said I'm not going to call or text the news either way, so that'll be a long wait til he gets home. Hopefully with good news. X

@Luan82 thank you 😊 will you test or wait for a period? Would be a brilliant result if it’s your month!

@VenusStarr that all sounds promising. I have been on a daily rollercoaster of definitely thinking I’m pregnant to thinking I’m not. I think stay positive if you can, it might not change the outcome but it’s a better ride!
Hoping it works out for all of us. Xx

@39andabit well the meds have just arrived so it will be interesting to explain that to the clinic if my period doesn't !! I'm currently 10dpo, so a bit early to test - my temps have been rising nicely but I had a little drop this morning which usually means AF is coming, if I have another temp dip tomorrow then I'll be more certain that it's AF which is due Saturday, I was thinking it's best to test Friday with a first response as that will be 12dpo and I can be pretty sure either way !! Genuinely hoping that you both get good news in the next few weeks it's so deserved!! Xx

Exciting that your meds have arrived @Luan82 - hopefully you don't need them! 🤞

I'm out for a walk again and had to stop again because I'm out of breath! X