FSH, AMH, AFC

[MrsT8509]

Hi all!

Had referral to fertility clinic through NHS. Had day 3 bloods and TV ultrasound.

Results:

AMH 2.4
FSH 13.4
AFC 8
Age 38

Consultant said very low to no chance of conceiving with donor egg ivf. I'm ovulating each month comfirmed with bbt, and opk's. Got pregnant last year but ended in early loss about 5.5 weeks.

Any info, opinions, success stories will all be welcome! I honestly don't think donor eggs is a route either me or my husband want to go down.

Hi @smashedbanana

Just to update you, I'm having my egg retrieval tomorrow morning. The follicle was 21mm on CD7 so they've decided to move quickly. The others haven't grown in time, sadly. But, I'm going to ask them whether they will use IVM on them to try to mature them.

Feeling very anxious and just praying for a better outcome this time xx

@GingerRCD hello! Sorry we're camping in the middle of nowhere atm and don't get any service on the campsite so just messaging quickly from a restaurant!
Wishing you all the luck for tomorrow! That's all happened so quickly bless you, I hope it goes well. Shame the others didn't catch up but 1 good egg is all we need. Thinking of you and will reply properly tomorrow night xx

Aww, thanks so much @smashedbanana! We're on our way now. I couldn't sleep so I've been up since 4.45am.

I hope you're having a lovely holiday! Chat later xxx

Hey @smashedbanana, on my way home now. There were 3 follicles - they were able to retrieve an egg fron the big one, but one was empty and the other was inaccessible because of a blood vessel blocking it. I'm pleased they tried, though, and pleased we got an egg.

We're doing ICSI this time on their recommendation, so we're hoping it increases our chances. We should know by lunchtime tomorrow. Xx

@GingerRCD oh wow. Well done on today, I can't believe how quickly that all happened!! You got an egg though and that's amazing!! How are you feeling this evening? What a rollercoaster this all is.

I have my consultation on the 6th. I need to do some research before then. As we've paying privately we don't have the funds for multiple rounds really. Probably afford 3 at a push. I'm interested if they'll be more in favour of me trying ivf after I responded well to the injections.

What strength of gonal have you been on this week? What other clinic are you thinking of trying? X

Thank you @smashedbanana!

I'm in quite a bit of discomfort this evening and am feeling very tired, but I'm just praying it's all been worth it. You're so right about it being a rollercoaster, and there's so many milestones you have to reach along the way.

One thing you could do to help your research is attend some of the free online open evenings that clinics run, even if you don't want to go to that clinic. I found the Create one good because they talked you through the different approaches, there was an opportunity to ask Qs and you had a free 15 minute consultation afterwards. Other clinics do them too.

The other clinic I'm considering is Cambridge ivf because it's local and it does Duostim.

Xx

@smashedbanana I was taking 250 gonal f (instead of 150) and started on day 2 instead of day 5/6 x

@GingerRCD thank you, I have signed up to Tuesdays course - great idea.

How are you feeling this morning? Sorry to hear you were uncomfortable after the retrieval but, as you say, hopefully all worth it. Good luck today! I'll be thinking of you xx

Question - this embryo will be frozen and then you'll do another round or this will be transferred next week?

We're trying naturally again this month, although my partner is away for a week around my CD15 so praying I ovulate on time!! Months where you can't try are so frustrating at our age!

@smashedbanana We have an embryo!!!!!!!!!!! A milestone reached! I just have to wait until Monday to confirm its good enough to freeze. Please keep praying for me, I swear it helps!!! Xxxx

Congratulations!!!!!! This is amazing!! Xxx

Thanks so much @smashedbanana. I'm so, so pleased!!!!

Thanks so much for your ongoing support - it honestly means so much!xxx

@GingerRCD how are you feeling? You must be excited! I know you said you're going to freeze it but aren't you tempted to try transferring? I don't know the success rate fresh Vs frozen? Praying tomorrow is good news! Xx

Hey @smashedbanana, aww you're so sweet - thank you! We have been buzzing about it. It makes it seem much more real.

I am so tempted to do a fresh transfer! I'm beyond ready to be pregnant. My mind does keep going there, but we think we'll hold firm and stick with our plan of trying to get as many embryos as we can whilst I'm this side of 40. Will power is hard, though!

I've heard a lot that frozen can be better as you wait for the optimal month and can really prep for it. But, who knows?

I hope you're having a nice weekend. Xxx

@GingerRCD hello! Yes that makes sense - are you doing 6 rounds? Is this counted as round 1 or round 2 officially? I would be so tempted to transfer too but better to get all the embryos sorted first - interesting about the frozen Vs fresh.
Hope today is good news! :)
Think I'm ovulating early this month - my body is such sooo confusing! Arggg!! Xx

@GingerRCD arggg I just need to vent. I've just started to bleed again. I'm on CD8. Honestly my body is just so useless. I feel like crying. I know it's not a "medical" month but I just don't understand why my body is so unable to have normal cycles. Last time this happened I didn't get a period for 2 months after.
Feel like giving up.
Xx

Aww, love, I'm sorry to hear this. Did they say to expect this after the treatment? This happened to me one time after a long cycle. I think it's connected to the perimenopause and is maybe your body righting itself after a non-ovulatpry cycle or medicated cycle. Sending hugs, as I know how upsetting and unsettling it is.

Our embryo only made it to day 2. They are going to keep it in the culture until Weds, but it only has a 25% survival chance now. I don't think it will be successful this month.

Sending all my support your way. I wish it could be easier for both of us xxx

@GingerRCD oh love. That's rubbish. There's still a chance though? Did they give any ideas why it might not have developed? I'm so sorry. I'm sending you lots of hugs this evening.
The clinic didn't say anything but I've had it a few times before, it's just annoying as it's a sign my hormones are clearly out of wack / perimenopausal etc etc - I'm just feeling old and rubbish this evening. It will delay starting the next treatment for another few months no doubt. It all just feels a bit hopeless :(

@GingerRCD how are you today? X

Hey @smashedbanana, thanks so much for your kind messages. It really does help to be supported by someone who totally gets it.

The embryo didn't make it, sadly. In a way, I'd made peace with it because if it had made it, I suspect it may have had chromosomal issues. I'm still gutted to have gone through all of that to still end up with nothing. I do really doubt whether it will happen for me given all of the setbacks and fails I've had with ivf so far.

How are you feeling? Thinking of you too xxx

@GingerRCD please don't give up hope. In 5 years time we'll want to look back and think "we tried everything" so we just need to push through for a while longer - whatever the outcome.
My bleeding stopped and I have some mild ovulation pains but no other signs and my partner goes away for a week this weekend so I'm feeling really bummed we can't try naturally this month as seems the timing will be off.
I did the Create webinar this week - really nice to have everything explained and feel more confident going into my meeting with my clinic next week. I think we'll try 1 round and leave it at that - obviously the odds are massively against us but we can't afford lots of rounds unfortunately and would rather spend the money on making memories with our daughter.
I hope you're ok, you've been through a lot this past week, the rollercoaster of hope & disappointment never gets easier :( xx

Hello @GingerRCD
Just checking in and seeing how you are? You must be coming up to your next cycle.
I had a call with the fertility clinic today. They are going to try mild IVF on my next cycle (150 of gonal F from CD2) and then if I don’t respond well they will do the duostim after my first egg collection attempt. She said given my AHM they’d be looking to collect 3 eggs from me and that would be a good cycle. I’m just waiting for the costing and plan to come through on email but should be starting in a few weeks. She was very clear that might chances of success are really low. Not sure if I mentioned before but we have slight male factor so it will be ICSI too. I’m pleased we’re getting things moving. 2 cycles will be the max we can afford so although it’s annoying at least it puts a line in the ground and we know to move on if it doesn’t work.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in. Hoping you’re ok, sending lots of good wishes your way xx

Hi @GingerRCD - hope you're ok. You just popped into my mind and I wondered how you were getting on xx

Hi @smashedbanana

So lovely to hear from you, how are you? Where are you at with things at the moment?

I'm so sorry I've been absent on here. Life's been busy with various things including my mum having an op and summer holidays, but I've been feeling like I've run out of steam with my fertility journey after the recent failure. I haven't wanted to come on here and be really downhearted. I haven't even taken any of my supplements this last month, which feels like such an easy thing for me to do, but it's just another constant reminder and I've been feeling like what's the point.

I know I need to pick myself back up again. Sometimes you have to ride the wave for a bit.

I really hope you're getting on OK. I have been thinking of you and have felt guilty not being on here supporting you, as you've been amazing for me. Lots of love xxx

Hello @GingerRCD
I’m so pleased to hear back from you and totally understand you needing a break. Sounds like you’ve had a lot on your plate. I hope you’re ok.
We were meant to be starting treatment this week but, like you, we ran out of steam and just couldn’t face it. We have told the clinic we’ll start next month instead but honestly I’m not sure anymore, our lives are happy and the emotional and financial drain seems too much of a risk for such little chance of success…. I change my mind all the time though so who knows how I’ll feel by next month! I’ve also given up on the supplements and generally stopped reading forums like this! I only logged back in to check on you. We’re tempted just to book a lavish holiday with the money we’d save if we don't have ivf and keep trying naturally for a while longer. My little one starts school next week so we’re busy enjoying the last bit of summer for now. Hope to catch up soon xxx sending love xxxx

Hi all,
looking for a bit of help and guidance. Just finished 4th ivf transfer. 👎 I have low AMH. This thread is really good to look to improve eggs. Could someone please send me links (based on uk) for what they purchased and strengths? Diet.. no carbs?