fert report -- admittedly a bit upset

dolphin012

So we got our fertilization report this afternoon and i have to say i am a bit upset by it. We had 16 retrieved and only 7 fertilized. i don't have a lot of information beyond that. I missed the call from the in-cycle nurse and it was the end of the day. I am sending an email to my dr. tonight. 

A bit of background: For our previous cycle we had 16 mature eggs and 15/16 were fertilized. However, we used ICSI in that cycle because we did the PGS testing. This cycle our RE recommended we do a day 3 fresh transfer because we were doing so well on day 3 in the prior cycle we had 15 embryos and a high percentage were 6-10 cells with good quality). So for this cycle she said we did not need ICSI -- we had no medical reason to use it - we had just done it for the PGS testing which we would not be doing this cycle. It made me anxious to switch another variable given that part had worked so well so i asked several times and she said we would get similar fertilization rates with conventional fertilization. Last time we had a 94% rate and this time it was 44% -- not so similar....    If i had been given any indication that this was a chance i would have paid the extra for ICSI again as assurance. We could have afforded to tack that on, but i can't really afford another cycle. This was going to be our last one. 

My partner is being optimistic and says to focus on the 7 we have (and i know for some that would be a good result), but i am pretty realistic about it and at my age each day 3 embryo has only a 5% chance (and that is assuming a well graded embryo -- so we will have to see how many i have at day 3). We were really counting on quantity given my age -- the fact that i had a high ovarian reserve and that we had such good fertilization and day 3 results last time. If either of those had not been the case, i doubt we would have tried a second cycle.

sorry for the ramble. just frustrated and feeling i should have gone with my reasoning despite the dr's recommendations. 

thistle8677

Sending you so much love and support right now. I cannot even imagine going through all of these tests and procedures. You must be emotionally exhausted. Sending a huge hug your way and a TON of postivity!!!! Xoxo

emsmama15

I'm sorry @dolphin012, that totally sucks.  I'd be very frustrated and disappointed too, especially since you asked several times about it.  Big hugs to you...  I'll keep my fingers crossed for your seven embryos!!

Goldsgirl9

I'm sorry. Positive enegery, thoughts and prayers for you and your 7 embryos!

dolphin012

Thanks ladies! -- especially for sending the good thoughts towards our 7 embryos as i am not doing very well with the positive energy for them right now. I sent an email to our RE and hope to hear back from her today. Hopefully, once i hear back i can move on and focus on them. Our transfer is set for Thursday. 

Carazona5

Best of luck to you, so sorry you didn't get the results you wanted but 7 is something, you never know! *creepy Internet hugs*

efhoping2010

@dolphin012 sending you prayers and happy thoughts

carrieandr

I'm wishing you lots of luck with your embryos.

C_Girlie

((((Hugs)))), but fx that you'll get the BFP this cycle

KLake42

I'm so sorry.  My fingers are crossed for you!

And don't beat yourself up about how things should have been done differently.  It's too late to go back in time, and you followed your doc's advice.  Just look forward, now.

FemShep

I'm sorry for the disappointing results, @dolphin012 I'm spending you all the positive thoughts I can.

emsmama15

Good luck with your transfer tomorrow @dolphin012!!

dolphin012

Thanks everyone, your support means a lot. I didn't have time to comment today as i was busy communicating with my RE and of course trying to work (oh right that...). But i did periodically check from my phone and appreciated your comments. 

Anyway, i won't go into all the details but i had a few email exchanges followed up by a good phone conversation with my RE. There definitely was a lot more information she had to share regarding conventional insemination vs. ICSI. And i definitely would have made the decision to stick with ICSI if she had answered my question with the information she shared after the fact. That part is frustrating, but i appreciated her openness and she seemed humble regarding the miscommunication. 

So trying to move on now and think positively about our transfer tomorrow!! A friend has been encouraging me to relax which i am working on. As a back-up i am required to take a valium prior to the procedure so that should do it