Do these results seem right?

[Lcm11]

Hi all, I've had the final day 6 call from the embryologist after my first round of IVF. Short protocol, mild dose (125iu - Bemfola) with donor sperm due to severe MFI. I'm 29, PCOS and AMH of 62.

Do these results seem about right and AIBU to feel disappointed? I'm honestly shocked at what an emotional rollercoaster this has been, and don't know if I'm being silly and need a reality check.

Day 0: 11 mature eggs collected
Day 1: 9 fertilised
Day 3: 1 frozen on clinic's recommendation (8 cells-grade 1). Told of the remaining 8 - 5 were developing as expected on day 3 and other 3 were slightly behind - they would check again on day 5.
Day 5: 1 suitable for freezing (4CC)
Day 6: all others either didn't make it blast stage or made it to blast but weren't good enough quality for freezing

So we have 2 in the freezer which I know we are super lucky to get and I'm not taking that for granted. But does the drop off from day 3-5 going from 8 remaining to 1 blastocyst seem quite drastic? We have our follow-up call with the clinic on Friday and just want to check I have a good grasp of the situation and if I need to flag any concerns or issues.

Thank you x

Hi! This is totally normal I’m afraid. The attrition rate is huge at each stage after the egg harvesting. I’m glad you got two. Are you going to have a transfer soon?

Thank you @Feliciacat. People warn you that the numbers drop off and not to panic but I honestly don't think anything can prepare you for it.

Yes we had to do a freeze all due to OHSS risk (I had a lot of follicles) so I'll have a FET next cycle, hoping it will be around late June. I'm glad we did a freeze all in the end tbh even though I was disappointed at the time, because I've found the whole process after EC extremely stressful and hopefully I'll be in a better headspace for my FET.

Gosh, it sounds really tough. I must admit, I haven’t actually had ivf (yet) but I’ve been told by my consultant about the high attrition rate so that’s why I felt I could respond to your thread.

He said I’d be lucky to get eight eggs (my AMH is only 5.2) and then maybe 6 would be mature, 4 would get fertilised and maybe none would make it to day 5!

It is extremely hard isn’t it? All the physical and mental effort but there may not be much of a result. There’s nothing I can say to make it better for you. However, I hope you take a well-deserved rest for the next month and that you get back on your feet psychologically.

If you feel able to, please update us on any developments you may have when you get them. Fingers crossed for you xx

Don't give up hope though as I have read stories where people have 2-4 blastocysts to freeze from 8 eggs collected. I've definitely learnt it's quality not quantity - cliche but so true.

I found stims was actually fine for me, and egg collection also ok. It's just the fertilisation results I've found difficult, I think because everything is now so out of our control, coupled with the fact my hormones are now completely out of whack!

But thanks for replying and yes will definitely post an update x

It’s definitely the hunger games sadly.

I had one round at 32.

10 follicles.
8 eggs collected.
5 fertilised.
2 blasts.
1 fresh transfer - failed.
1 FET - success.

I also felt a bit shocked at the drop-off.

Wishing you all the luck!

@Copenhagener thanks for replying and so glad yours ended in success. Hopefully one of my FETs will be the one 🤞🏼

Hi there,

I think that for your age and AHM you should have got more eggs. However, it may be associated with the low dose of IVF meds.

If you're paying full price, I'd ask full stim meds, you should get more eggs. Of course, at the end quality is better than quantity but if you had more embryos you could only do FETs and not have to do more EC.

Good luck

With my ivf icsi round I got 17 eggs! They injected 15 and 7 fertilised. 2 made it to blast but only one was good quality! 3AB. So none frozen. I had a fresh transfer and did get OHSS pretty bad.
But it worked. Our drop off rate was huge but it only takes one decent one. He's 2 now.

I was meant to add I also have PCOS and my AMh was 74 at the time and I was 25 years old.
They started me on such a low dose worrying about OHSs but it meant the follicles took ages to grow so I was stimming for literally 2 full weeks. Not sure if that impacted egg quality or not.

The drop off rate is so drastic isn't it, I was warned repeatedly that we may end up with nothing to freeze even if EC went well. Good luck OP I really hope you get a good result! Hang in there

@Feliciacat for what it's worth, my AMH is less than yours and we only got 4 eggs, but all 4 fertilised, made it to day 5 and all 4 were frozen! Not had a transfer or anything yet so can't say if any will be successful but there's hope