21 eggs collected, only 7 fertilised

[AnxiousAndHopeful]

Hi folks,

My husband and I have had a difficult few months.

We got pregnant last year, which resulted in a second trimester loss after we discovered that she had a trisomy and had stopped growing. It took us a while to conceive her as is, due to my history of a blocked tube and my husband's lower SA results.

The following week after the loss, my husband was put on some quite strong arthritis medication, which has since reduced poor motility and morphology to very few motile sperm, which means ICSI is our only option at the moment, at least whilst he is being treated for this flare up.

We started IVF earlier this month. They managed to retrieve 24 eggs yesterday, only 16 of which were mature, and only 7 of those fertilised. I am feeling blue and desperately hoping this cycle doesn't result in empty hands.

For context, I am 29 (very nearly 30), but I have a history of cancer, which I have 2.5 years of chemo for. They didn't expect any long term side effects from the chemo, but the embryologist told me this morning in the day 1 update that it seems like the eggs are poor quality. Does anyone have any similar stories that went on to be successful?

Ps. I know that we are very lucky to have conceived naturally and it's not infertility as such, but we are now classified as very low fertility given our change of circumstances

@AnxiousAndHopeful ah thanks ! No have heard nothing. I will hopefully have an update by the end of next week ! It’s so slow

@AnxiousAndHopeful Results are back 2 euploids . 3 abnormals. Was worried I would get no euploids so happy with that. Now let the anxiety begin about the FET. When are you starting yours ?

@Helengreggregson Hey congratulations!!! That's great - two shots! I just started my cycle yesterday, so I have my first scan this morning. What about you?

@AnxiousAndHopeful only finished a period so hoping to start next month . Best of luck ! How are you finding the process ?

@AnxiousAndHopeful
I realise I'm late replying but I had 21 eggs retrieved ( 2nd collection, none to freeze from the first).

8 fertilised
3 made it to blasts.
My little girl has recently turned 1 and there's 2 in the Freezer

Good luck

@PMAmostofthetime thanks so much for sharing your experience. Do you mind me asking what age you were at time of egg collection ?

@Helengreggregson I was 35 x

@PMAmostofthetime thanks. Best of luck with your 2 Frosties !

@PMAmostofthetime thats an amazing story, thank you. Makes me feel v hopeful. When did you start testing? Did you do anything for the transfer?
@Helengreggregson I had my first scan on thurs, going back next Thurs for another check and then they should have an estimated date for transfer but it’s like to be about 3 weeks away. We’ve decided to tell our family and friends that we are going to delay transfer a few months so we have that time just to ourselves and hopefully see two lines in about a month!

@AnxiousAndHopeful good idea. I haven’t told anyone at all that I’m having ivf . I don’t want people asking how it’s going etc!

@AnxiousAndHopeful
I took COQ10, Vit D 4000 iu and folic acid daily. I cut out caffeine too/ I was addicted to Diet Coke.
I drank so many isotonic drinks that I still can't stomach the raspberry flavour and had to take the orange for Labour.

@Helengreggregson we didn't tell anyone about IVF, still haven't. I feel like we will when the times right but right now that's for us, plus I don't want any pressure or questions about the frosties. Hoping to put one in this year. X

I also cut out all Alcohol. X

I started testing 9 days Post 5 day transfer ( my blast was 5 days old)
I did this as before that the meds could have caused a false positive.
It's not letting me upload a picture but I will as soon as I can, the lines were strong x

@AnxiousAndHopeful how are you getting on ? We have had to delay transfer for a few months for various reasons. Thinking of you and wishing you lots of luck !

Hey @Helengreggregson sorry I’ve been quiet. I had the transfer on Thursday- it’s been agony! I tested negative yesterday to see the trigger vanish and then got this tonight…

@AnxiousAndHopeful congrats so happy for you ! Will they do a blood test to confirm ? How exciting !

Thank you so much!
My official test day is Saturday, so will give the clinic a call then (well, Monday) and I think the next step is a viability scan at 6 weeks, so about 2.5 weeks away. Fingers crossed these lines keep getting darker. I actually got the BFP last night, only 5dp5dt 😊

@Helengreggregson I forgot to tag you 😳

@Helengreggregson How are you getting on? Sorry to hear about the delays. Are you feeling ok about it?

@AnxiousAndHopeful bit disappointed about delay but what can you do, I’m enjoying a bit of a break anyway. That’s great news keep us posted on how you get on with scan.