5-7 follicles CD3 - what's your fert report?

vibeee

So I had 6 follicles CD3.  I am trying to figure out what to expect after stimming which will happen in the next cycle.  I don't have my protocol yet, I'm still waiting for test results.  I am very anxious and would like to get some info from your experience.

I know everybody is different and different protocols may give a variety of results.  I guess I would like to know a ball park. 

I don't know my AMH yet so I can't add it to calculation mix. 

Thank you ladies! 

SKLH

I'm kinda confused... was 6 follicles your AFC? (Antral Follicle Count)?

Carol77B

I was never told how many I had with my first IVF, but for my second IVF I had 8 at CD3 and of the 8 total, only 5 grew (I did the microdose Lupron which was supposed to give me MORE eggs) and we only got 3 eggs at ER. I asked the RE who assisted with the U/S if that was all I could expect and she said, "yes," but I'm not sure that is supposed to be the case with the microdose Lupron protocol. I asked about cancelling, since I was worried about starting with what I considered a low count, but my nurse assured me that it was too early to call it off. My original AFC, when they were doing initial fertility testing, was 12.

vibeee

SKLH said:

I'm kinda confused... was 6 follicles your AFC? (Antral Follicle Count)?

Yes,  that's what she counted on the USG few days ago on CD3.  I'm guessing that's AFC.  I'm sorry I don't know all of the terminology.

vibeee

Carol77B  you are making me feel very optimistic about this..I don't mean that you are intentionally putting me down but it just worries me in my situation.  You had better numbers to start with and not much to transfer/freeze.

I really wanted to hear some positive stories...

Thank you for sharing! 

Carol77B

@vibeee I think it is cause for concern, because as I'm sure you know, not all of the follicles they count will grow and of the ones that grow not all with have mature eggs and not all the eggs will fertilize and grow healthy and make it to ET, so obviously the more follicles in the beginning the better.

I'm sure your RE will base your protocol on that count; either try and get more or to make sure the ones they get are very healthy (that seems to be the point of the microdose Lupron protocol as my RE described it to me- I didn't get more eggs, but he said my two normal embryos were excellent). I think you should discuss what having this count for CD3 means with your RE/nurse.

I was told that at my clinic they want to see at least 10 in the baseline, but they never went into what they would do if I didn't have that many. Also, it could be that it was just a bad month for your follicle count- was that the first time you had an AFC? I'm not sure I understand your timing- are you going to have another CD3 before your start stimming? Maybe you hold off a month and see how the next month's numbers look? Or you take some time off and try COQ10 and DHEA (I'm taking both of those to help with egg quality/production).

In my situation, for my second IVF, I ended up with two great embryos, which is the max that my RE would transfer at one time, so he felt it was a successful cycle from that perspective. However, if for my next IVF, I have low CD3 AFC numbers I will be very tempted to postpone because we are 100% OOP and I think I will have a great chance of success if I'm starting out with a higher follicle count.

If you are looking for success stories from "low" AFC counts, I would post on the PAIF or SAIF to see what those ladies have to say. As my RE and nurses like to tell me- you just need one!

Good luck.

vibeee

Carol77B.  This whole cycle has been weird.  I took a 2 year break from TTC and it was my fist U/S after the break. 

I am not sure if they will be doing another CD3 next cycle which I assume will be stimming cycle. 

I am seeing my RE on 5/9 to make a plan and get my protocol.  I will call her next week after we get CD3 blood test results to see if I can start DHEA and COQ10. 

I am 100% OOP so checking in on CD3 before starting the actual stimming cycle sounds like a good idea.  I don't want to throw my money away. 

What is your AMH and FSH if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you very much for your long response.  I appreciate you taking time to respond to me!

zeynsom

I had 10 follicles at my initial baseline ultrasound at CD3. They put me on microdose lupron with max possible stims because while I am only 33 my AMH is 0.7 and FSH is 16. They told me that the numbers may increase (the hope is that they increase) but may also decrease. And, they decreased in my case. All my five follicles on the right disappeared over time while all my left ones matured. I had my ER today and they got all five out. Hopefully a significant number will fertilize. What I am trying to say is that it can work both ways (the numbers may increase or decrease) but keep this in mind: it takes only one strong fertilized egg to get pregnant. Good luck!

vibeee

zeynsom

I am keeping my digits crossed for you!  I hope they all fertilize!

I have a feeling I'll end up in the same boat....

Still have to think positive otherwise there is no reason to even get started, right?

vibeee

IFinTN

Thank you! It's good to hear I'm not crazy and not the only person looking ahead. 

IF monkey wrenches exist:) - I like that phrase.

I am simply worried.  Want to have solutions or idea before I have that conversation.  In the past it helped me a lot to become educated beforehand so I can be a more aware participant in the process.

Thank you again for encouraging words.  Sorry we clashed a while ago.  IF sucks and we are all here to help each other! I'm glad we are doing that!  So thank you!