First retrieval - feeling disappointed

[ivfjourney2023]

Hi All. I’m looking for some reassurance and words of encouragement I guess.

Today we had our first egg retrieval. On my last scan we had 23 follicles, 16 were looking good. Today we had 11 eggs collected and just had the call to say 9 were mature. I feel so discouraged by this. My AMH levels were quite high (25) so we were expecting quite a few more eggs. I’m so worried about the drop off over the next few days. This is horrible, it’s all consuming isn’t it?! 💔

@ivfjourney2023 hi, feeling for you but don't get upset. This process is very emotional and exhausting
I had 2 egg collection, doing genetic testing due to age. 1st: 8 collected, 7 mature and fertilised and 4 5d embryos (which all 4 uneuploid unfortunately). 2nd: 17 collected, 14 mature, 10 icsi (last time ivf) fertilised but only 2 5d embryos for testing! So as you see initial numbers misleading... My 2nd collection is more what to expect, 1st I was told I was very lucky.. Now not sure what to do next... We are trying for baby 3, all just too much pain and slim results

Hi @TT82. Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear you're going through this too. We are trying for baby no.2. We had no problems falling naturally with our son, in fact we found out I was pregnant 5 weeks after our wedding which was a shock! We too are going down the PGTA testing if we get to day 5. This process is gruelling isn't it?

@ivfjourney2023 good luck and fingers crossed!!
I am on the edgyof not testing, but had 4 chemicals, so kind of know i need testing. Now researching maybe abroad snd dual stimulation to get more embryos.. I am 42 in April 🙈 I have 2 kids naturally wo problem...I really was taking fertility for granted what was younger 😔

@TT82 if it makes you feel better I'm 34 and struggling with fertility. It's just a minefield! Where abroad are you considering?

@ivfjourney2023 you will get there!!
Considering Instituto Bernabeu in spain (they do this duo-stimulation, where 2 egg collection in 28 days to get more embryos for testing), or Czech Republic - heard they are good and not expensive.
My problem that I work full time and also supereise my son's sport training which is every day... We moved to Switzerland, here we are at a state hospital (you still pay a lot fully), but they are slow, till you get appointments months, then no monitoring properly (I think they overdone this time), very much I was told like NHS cycle..

Inwas 34, had 7 collected and all 7 made it to day 5! 1 slowed down so wasn't frozen but I had 1 fresh (didn't take) and 5 frosties and the first frozen transfer worked. My boy is 4.5 months now :) doesn't mean you'll get a big ratenof attrition after fertilisation because some weren't mature 🤞

@Imisscoffee2021 wow amazing results!! Yes starting numbers are not indicative of the results. Congratulations and good luck in a sibling round xx

@ivfjourney2023 it’s all about perspective. I had my treatment in September. I had 5 eggs retrieved and only one ended up fertilised and went back in after a 3 day transfer. I am now 13wks pregnant with that 1 chance we had. Your numbers seem great to me. Stay positive

Try not to obsess about the numbers. I had 5 eggs collected (low AMH). All fertilised. The first transfer is my DD and I have 3 frosties.

Wishing you the best of luck. It’s a cliche but it really does only take one.

Hi all. Just got the call to say 6 out 9 have fertilised overnight. I'm not sure how I feel but I do know the next 5 days are going to be long and hard!

I'm not sure why your feeling disappointed . I'd consider that a high amount of eggs. I ended up with 3 and I'm currently pregnant

@MoonIightDreamer not sure that comment was necessary. When Drs have given you high expectations, to have 6 fertilised eggs on day 1 was a shock.

Congrats on your pregnancy .

Hi @ivfjourney2023
I am sorry you are feeling disheartened. It is quite normal to feel the way you do, especially during a first round when you don't know what to expect.
You see, doctors tend to be positive in order for us not to lose hope, but in my opinion the downside is that nobody knows what the outcome will be. Sometimes we have high hopes, but in reality the whole process is unpredictable.
Usually the first round is more of a trial round and the doctors get to know how your body responds to medication and the whole process.
I find the whole IVF process mentally draining. I can take the pain, the injections and the physical part, but what I find intolerable is the emotional aspect and the inability to control the outcome
You did everything right, trust me. Hopefully you will get good news by day 5! Hugs!

@ivfjourney2023 my comment wasn't necessary ? Are you serious? I said fuck all in a negative aspect to you. I simply told you don't be disheartened because that's a good number of eggs ( in my clinic 5-10 is what they aim for ) and shared my success story with less eggs as a positive contribution.
There's no guarantees in ivf, and your consultant should have advised you that regardless of how many follicles you have not all follicles contain mature eggs. This is especially so when collecting a large number of eggs.
My amh was a hell of a lot higher than yours . If you don't want to take my compliment that it's a good number of eggs, thats fine but don't twist it

@ivfjourney2023 follicle count drastically changes from scan to scan. At least in my experience. What you have in your scan is never the amount of eggs your going to end up with. Unfortunately that's the reality with ivf. And numbers do dramatically drop from maturity to fertilisation ect. Nothing wrong with your number of eggs. I'd actually say that's a good amount of eggs? Not sure why you think there's something wrong with it. Alot of women don't even get that many

P.s your doctor shouldn't have gave you high expectations . That was really wrong. I was always told in my rounds I have x amount of eggs but always advised not all will be mature eggs so I'm not sire why you were lead be believe otherwise.

Op sorry your feeling that way. I don't understand why your upset tho anout 6 eggs ? cause that's not a low number.
Have to agree with above poster you shouldn't have been told to believe all follicles would contain eggs.
Amh is not a reliable indicator of how many eggs your going to get. You can have a high amh but not high egg collection. I had a really high amh 49 and I had 10 follicles collected with only 6 eggs
Afc is more reliable but even then no guarantee they are mature eggs.
Ivf is all trial and error . They probably expected you'll respond well to meds but I don't think they would tell you you'll get lots of eggs guaranteed ? Cause that's not how ivf works. Anyway you didn't retrieve a low number

@MissKH84 @MoonIightDreamer apologies if I've offended you with my disappointment. That really was not my intention. This is our first ever round of IVF and I guess my expectations were out of whack. Thank you for your input

@Dodds87 I think because the only other friends I have that have done IVF both got around 10 embyos in the freezer. I know you shouldn't compare but as I say this is my only experience. Sounds like I'm completely out of touch here so again sorry for offending anyone.

@ivfjourney2023 you didn't offend me with your disappointment. You offended me when you hinted that my comment was negative when that wasn't my intention at all. I commented to reassure you and support you. To let you know that's not a bad number to retrieve. Chances of success with 6 eggs are good. I'm proof of that with half that. Everyone's journey is different and you shouldn't put pressure on yourself focusing on what others are achieving.
My clinic told me chances of a successful pregnancy are actually higher with smaller amounts of eggs than larger amounts.
Somebody can bank lots of eggs but there's no guarantee they will all implant and develop into a baby. Someone might only have 1 embryo that blossoms into a beautiful life.
Quality over quantity . That's what I've learned in my journey

@ivfjourney2023 I just wanted to say I hope you got some good day 3 and day 5 numbers. IVF is a tough process (both emotionally and physically) and your feelings are valid. Stay strong, remain positive and all the best with the rest of your journey

Thanks so much @Quillandink. We've got to wait until Monday morning for the day 5 update. Of the 9 mature eggs, 6 fertilised so I'm praying we get a couple to day 5 🤞🏻

@ivfjourney2023 i know exactly how you feel- i felt all of this just 2 months ago. My numbers were worse! I had 4 eggs retrieved, and 3 were mature.

I thought we were doomed, I even cried during egg retrieval when I knew the number was 4. The Dr didnt seem phased even though google says about 15 eggs is good.

Anyway, with our 3 mature eggs i forced myself to be positive through my tears. 3 fertilised- 3 made it to day 3- 3 made it day 5 and all were good enough to freeze.

We were so shocked! We defied all the odds- it is possible!! Every single day i visualised the 3 eggs in a lovely safe pure healing light (i know i sound mad) i wished them health and 'told' them they are sooo wanted :)

GOOD LUCK! sometimes the numbers in this game do not add or, or match.

Be positive xx

Hi @FernaFrey. Thank you so much for your message! All 6 of ours got to day 5 and are now frozen. So relieved. I guess quality over quantity really is the most important x

That's amazing :) So pleased for you. It really is true isn't it, although it's hard to hear at the start.

Good luck with your frosties x