Question about monitoring appt

April+

I went in for my first appt after starting stims and although I was only supposed to have blood work done. They decided to do an u/s because I am feeling a lot of pressure. The dr counted 4 follicles on my left and 7 on my right. I am really disappointed and upset because dr was expecting 16-20. Dr said it was low for my age (32) but she said they are looking for quality not quantity. All of my follicles were around 10 mm after 6 days on stims. Is there a chance for more follicles? How much do follicles grow each day? I am hoping someone can ease my mind that I will hopefully get more than 11 eggs. We are unexplained so I was hoping for more eggs so that we could freeze some if this doesn't work

delino

Take a deep breathe. I understand your frustration. I'm 30 and have tubal issues. They thought I would get a lot of eggs and have many frosties. I wound up with 8 of which 6 were mature. Follicles grow 1 to 2 mm a day approximately. If you wind up with 11 eggs, be very happy.

hootie123

They grow around 1-2 mm a day.  But your cycle sounds perfect - 11 follicles is a great number and perfect for IVF.  You really don't want too many since you risk OHSS and too many eggs actually has a lower success rate.  Until you go through your ER - its hard to say the exact number you will get.

Also try not to get your mind set on frosties - it can go both ways - you can have lots of eggs and not end up with any and there are people that only get a few eggs and get frosties with all of their remaining embryos. 

AngnShaun

how many days of stims have you done? 11 follies is still a decent number.

 

After 3 days of stims i only had 3 follies.

BzeetyD

hootie123:

They grow around 1-2 mm a day.  But your cycle sounds perfect - 11 follicles is a great number and perfect for IVF.  You really don't want too many since you risk OHSS and too many eggs actually has a lower success rate.  Until you go through your ER - its hard to say the exact number you will get.

Also try not to get your mind set on frosties - it can go both ways - you can have lots of eggs and not end up with any and there are people that only get a few eggs and get frosties with all of their remaining embryos. 

This! Perfect cycle since all of them are about the same size. That's great! Be proud of what you've got. Quality over quantity <------- from someone who had 21 eggs at ER and only 5 poor quality ones at ET, none to freeze.

April+

Thank you, this makes me feel a little better My lead follicles were about 12 mm and smallest were 8 mm. But average was about 10mm. I have been on stims for 6 days. When I think about it though, I am feeling pretty uncomfortable with just 11 follicles right now so maybe I don't want more

MrsNukem

11 follies is great and the fact that they are all pretty close to same size is even better (means more would likely be mature at retrieval).  Good luck!

lc&jw

There's definitely still a possibility that you could end up with more. My doctor doesn't typically count follicles smaller than 10mm. At my first monitoring appt I only had 8 measurable follicles 10mm or larger, but there were smaller ones that continued to develop over the next few appt and we ended up with 13 eggs. Follicle growth varies anywhere from 1-3mm per day.

Even if no additional follicles develop, 11 eggs would be a great outcome. Also, remember that quality is far more important than quantity. Eleven great embryos is much better than 20 lesser quality embryos. Good luck!

Enndea

Obviously, I haven't been through this yet, but I did just have my IVF class earlier this week so I have a lot of data fresh in my mind.  My RE said the 'average' number of eggs is 10-12 and that's what they aim for overall.  So....given that your 6 days in--you sound great!  For what it's worth coming from me, anyway.