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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

How do you know which ovarian stimulation protocol is right for you?

4 replies

strtng · 29/07/2024 13:27

I'm at Lister fertility at the Portland, which I suppose has a decent reputation. I've just had a disastrous first cycle, I'm 29, AMH 13, diet super healthy, husband's diet super healthy, we don't drink, no red meat, both take a load of supplements as recommended by "it starts with the egg".

Of 13 eggs collected, 8 mature, 8 fertilised, 1x day 5 embryo and 2x day 6 embryos but none were euploid.

I've read a lot about how changing protocol could help, to make more eggs mature of the ones retrieved, to improve the quality of the ones retrieved... but the thing is I don't know HOW. And I understand I should ask my fertility consultant what he would change in my next protocol but I don't know what the correct answer from him would be because I'm not a fertility consultant myself? For example he could say "well give you more Gonal" or "we'd give you less Menopur" and I'd have no clue whether that's the wrong decision or the right one, all I can do is nod!

OP posts:
BelleCrescent · 30/07/2024 15:09

I'm afraid the only thing I can say is that you'll have to trust your consultant. Our first IVF cycle recently failed, and we had a follow-up consultation where we discussed what we'd do differently next time.
They say the 1st cycle is really just a trial that fails in most cases which is frustrating, but the fertility clinic would have learnt a lot about how your body responds to treatment. So they'll have a good idea on how to increase the dosage for example... I was told that I'd have to take a higher dosage of everything in the next round because that could result in more and better quality eggs. They also said that I'd have to retake my AMH test first so that they can set the correct dosage. I hope you have better luck next time, I know it's not an easy journey and it's so full of anxieties!

strtng · 30/07/2024 16:38

@BelleCrescent thank you so much!! Can I ask what clinic this was in?

OP posts:
BelleCrescent · 30/07/2024 17:08

Sure - this was in Bourn Hall (Norwich)! 😊 If I learn anything new, I’ll let you know!

cosyleafcafe · 28/08/2024 16:14

Respectfully OP, that's why your consultant is a consultant and you are a patient.

They know a lot more than you do and although you can read up a bit as a layperson, you are not going to be able to learn everything they know within the short time that you are having fertility treatment.

You have to find a consultant whose knowledge, experience and skills you trust, and then you have to trust them.

Also sometimes there is not really a "right" answer and it's a case of trial and error and how your body responds.

I know you feel anxious (I get it, I'm the same and often want to know/ research/ understand everything) but there are certain things that aren't really within your control. All I can say is find a consultant that you feel comfortable with and can have trust in.

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