4 mature follicles… advice needed

KimL725

So I went to the RE today, I have 4 mature follicles- one 18.5 and 3 between 24-25.  They said they are fine going forward with TI, but that I need to be aware of the chance for multiples.  I am absolutely freaking out about this- I mean, twins I think I can handle, but triplets or higher I just don't think I could do.  Especially with the health risks.  I would say cancel the cycle, but it took me 6 months to get to this point of potentially ovulating, the best I've done before this is a 12mm follicle.  And I feel like if I wait for another cycle with clomid, the same thing will just happen again.  My RE told me it's clomid or IVF, that I would definitely over respond to injects.  I'm having a hard time even finding any numbers for what the percent chance would be for triplets/quadruplets.  Has anybody else been in this situation?  How did you make a decision?

On an unrelated note, is anyone watching the bachelorette right now??  An early TP to the asshole that thought that was appropriate for live television.

wanderlust508

I'm not watching the Bachelorette because I'm working late tonight.  Darn, now you have me so curious about what I'm missing!  BTW, this season has been a bit boring for me!  Nick is super annoying and shady.  And I actually thought he was cute and endearing at first.  

So my response to your question is biased by my own experience.  This current cycle that I'm on, I had 4 mature follicles at time of trigger (before IUI).  My beta is 7/24 and I still have a feeling that it's a BFN (in spite of the awesome follicle count).  In your shoes, I would do it ....BUT I live in a state that allows for selective reduction.  Do you know if your state allows it?  If your state does allow it and you could handle that option, I would definitely move forward with your cycle.  That is my opinion though.  If you are strongly against selective reduction and are freaked out by the thought of 3+ (as most people would be!) then I'd reconsider.  Honestly though, my view on it (for myself) was that the chance of multiples was pretty small ....and I was willing to risk it.  

emmuffy

I'd go for it but it's a really personal decision. You have to do some soul searching to consider if you could handle multiples or if you'd be prepared to do selective reduction. It's not for everyone.

shannonm97

I rarely post, but will throw in my 2 cents. I'd go for it.  As well as the follicle count, you also need to look at e2 levels. In the past, I had 5 mature based on size, but only had an estrogen of 600's.  Based on that not all were mature.  This month I have 4 mature based on u/s and 955 estrogen- most likely they were all mature. 

Only you really know yourself and know if you would be willing to do selective reduction or have multiples if that happens. 

Pintobean39

I think it all depends on lots of factors. I'm mobile so I can't see your signature. Age matters a lot, for me since I'm 40 it's NBD but I'd be a little more cautious if I was 25, if you have MFI it's not that much of a big deal. Also would you be willing to do selective reduction if it turned into HOM.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Tiko99

I would go for it. I had 120 million excellent sperm, 4 mature follicles, great lining at 11.5 and a bnf. My 7 dpo progesterone was 43 so I ovulated multiple eggs with no luck. Good luck!

StacyLH24

I would go for it as well, but it is a very personal choice. C and I are not comfortable with selective reduction, so had I ever gotten pregnant with multiples, we would have proceeded with the pregnancy, knowing the risks. That being said, 4 mature follicles was our agreed upon max for IUI. We cancelled two cycles because I had 6 and 7, respectively. That was backed up with high e2 levels.

FWIW, my RE looks for 3-4 mature follies during inject cycles. If you have that great of a response on Clomid, I agree with your Doc that you will probably over respond on injects.

Good luck in making your decision.

BunnyBerry

I'm so sorry you're in this situation. Why couldn't those nice follies have been nicely spaced over the last few cycles? Very unfair.

PPs had great advice. E2 levels could give a better indication if you really have 4 healthy eggs ready to go.

If E2 numbers indicated several mature eggs, I personally would not take the risk for IUI, but because we have male factor I would probably go ahead with TI. If MH didn't have dumb sperm, I would not want to be in a position where I needed selective reduction for safety based on a risky decision I had made. 

Clearly this decisions are so complex and personal. I wish you the best whatever choice you make.

PGwithNo3

Warning-children mentioned:

How old are you? I ask because I am 38 and I went forward with our IUI with multiple folis.  I did this because as we age, there are sometimes foils without actual eggs inside.  if you are younger, I may not risk it. I have twins at home.  Having twins as my first children was a great experience for us.  But, I am actually hoping for just a singleton next time.

Rohall12

I had 8 follicles with 4 of them mature for our first IUI on 7/12/14. I ended up with no babies and I would totatally do it again. I say go for it!

TLooney17

I had 4 mature follies this cycle and I didn't even think twice about it, but we have sever MFI so we are in a different boat.

Good luck making your decision!

BandM14

I know that I would be uncomfortable with selective reduction, but I also wouldn't have to miss a whole cycle if the chances of 3+ were low. Can your doctor give you any stats on the likelihood of all of them getting fertilized and implanting? I would imagine it's pretty unlikely. 

Side note, I did watch the bachelorette... so awkward.

Chasity08

The PP's have all given great advice. I would say go for it. If your state allows selective reduction, and you and your S/O are on the same page with it, just keep that as an option. DH and I had to have a serious discussion about it this month knowing we would most likely be doing injectables next month. It's not a fun conversation to have, but a necessary one.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Waterlily234

Another go-for-it opinion here...check out my siggy, BFN's. Good luck KimL !!

KimL725

Thanks everyone for the advice!!  We are going for it.  I feel a lot better about it after reading everyones experiences.  At this point I really don't know what we will do if we get multiples, but I figure we have to take this one step at a time.  I appreciate all the input, you ladies are the best!