I Knew Things Were Going Too Smoothly February 25, 2010
As an IVF patient it doesn’t take long to learn that there is no such thing as the perfect IVF cycle. As an IVF vet, you know you’re not going to have one even if there was such a thing.
Yesterday I just had a feeling that things were going too well. Lining good, follicles good, E2 good, sperm good. That’s just not how we roll. Something had to give.
I got my fertilization report this morning:
11 eggs retrieved
7 mature
4 fertilized with ICSI
That’s the worst fert report we’ve ever gotten, both in terms of % mature eggs and % fertilization.
IVF #1: 12 retrieved, 12 mature, 11 fertilized
IVF #2: 11 retrieved, 11 mature, 10 fertilized
IVF #3: 7 retrieved, 5 mature, 4 fertilized
IVF #4: 30 retrieved, 22 mature, 18 fertilized
So yeah, not as good this time. I was really disappointed this morning. I was hoping to have twice as many embryos as that.
I’m trying hard to be ok with it, though. Yes, things could be a lot better, but they could also be a lot worse. Four gives us a chance. Obviously not as great of one as say the lovely 18 I had last cycle, but it’s still a chance. Heck, on my other not so great cycle where we only had four to work with I got pregnant. Then again, I ended up miscarrying, so maybe that’s not the best cycle to compare this one to.
We’re scheduled for transfer Saturday morning unless they all crap out in the dish. (Oh please don’t let that happen.) I’ll get hooked up with another lovely dose of anesthesia meds thanks to my wonky cervix, so hopefully the day won’t be all bad.
- Posted in : IVF Part 8: the 2nd time around
- Author : amanda
Comments»
IVF is so unpredictable and it is hard not to get sucked into all the stats and reports. I know the report wasn’t what you were hoping for, but I am praying that those 4 embryos are your miracle. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts. Good Luck on Saturday!!! Hang in there. It is so hard not to stress and worry – especially when you are pumped with hormones – it seems near impossible, but ultimately we don’t know what works and caused us to have the miracles we hold in our arms today.
Like you, I can’t help but focus on the numbers and wanting to make sure all is as right as can be – giving us the best odds. It’s hard not to worry and just let things be – taking things as they come. Sending you lots of hugs!!!! Hate to sound cliche – but you only need one. Ok, I am done now. ;) You know I’ve been there so I know how hard all this is…
I’m sorry the fertilization wasn’t stellar, but four definitely gives you a good chance. I will be thinking of you and hoping, hoping, hoping for the best.
On my one and only fresh IVF cycle (it wasn’t for me – I couldn’t mentally do more than one so I am in awe that you have worked so hard at this) I had a whopping 28 eggs retrieved. Of those, 24 mature and 18 fertilized.
My friend who was cycling at the same time was nearly cancelled but ended up with 1 retrieved and fertilized.
Guess who got pregnant?
FET (only did one of these, too). Again, cycled with another friend. We transferred 2 high grade blasts. They transferred two very fragmented mid to low grade Day 3 embryos.
Guess who got pregnant?
My point? Numbers don’t mean sh*t. :)
Good luck!!
I understand being disappointed. There was a big decline in fertilization between the two cycles that produced Daniel and Julia…I was 30 with J, 33 with D…I can only guess maybe my age had something to do with it. I continue to think of you and I hope Saturday goes well!
Crossing fingers, hoping and praying!
I know 4 is lower than you like, but it only takes one! Best of luck!
We only had 5 on our one and only IVF cycle — we were paying completely out of pocket, and with $200,000 in student loans looming over us, there was no way we could have afforded another round. Thankfully, those 5 were enough. We didn’t have anything to freeze, but 2 of those five little embies are now quickly approaching their 5th birthday. I hope you have the same great results. You’ve definitely earned it!
Sending you and the embies lots of positive vibes. Keep the faith and hang in there!!! Numbers don’t mean anything — our final cycle resulted in the most retrieved and fertilized but then all but 3 (very crappily rated embryoes) survived to day three and now those 3 are 2! So you just never know! Big hugs. xoxo
Ella was one of five– the only one to make it to Day 5. Anything is possible. Hang in there!