Ladies who've done IVF

katieworek · October 2011

Last night was the 7th day of stims. I had a monitoring appt this morning showing 9 follicles measuring between 10-12.

My RE says he likes to see 15 and I'm kind of flipping out right now. 9 just seems like way too few.

How many follies did you have? Do I still have time to grow more follies that will be mature by the ER?

Am I freaking out over nothing?

Mrs.McIrish · October 2011

It all depends on your diagnosis. I literally had 2 follies for IVF #1 and #2 so to me, 9 is great. I see in your siggy that you have elevated FSH. What is it? Are you DOR? It is unrealistic to get 15 follies if you are DOR. I personally think you are freaking over nothing. Others who produce lots of follies might feel differently. Finally, yes, you have time to grow more if you follies are in the 10-12 range.

limpetfan · October 2011

My first IVF, I had a growth and E2 explosion after 7 days of stims. I can't remember how many they counted at that appointment, but I wound up with 14 eggs retrieved/12 mature.

My second IVF, the stimulation took a lot longer, and after 7 days of stims I had a lot of 10-12mm follies (maybe 10 or 11?), but my E2 was relatively low. I wound up stimming for 10 days total that cycle, and they retrieved 15 eggs/14 mature.

Usually they don't schedule ER until they feel there's a good number of mature follies in there -- and they use E2 + ultrasound to figure that out. It sounds to me like things are just growing slowly, and that's totally OK! Are you going back in 2 days? Are they leaving your meds the same? I think there's a good chance things will look very, very different at your next appointment -- try not to worry!

hootie123 · October 2011

I'm not entirely sure about the more follie question - is your RE going to up your dose? My RE thinks that between 8-12 eggs is the perfect stim cycle - since your estrogen doesn't get too high and you don't overstim.

I know how hard and emotionally draining this is - so try to hang in there.

beth0874 · October 2011

I don't understand where your RE got the number 15 from but I personally think your number is good. I had only 6 follicles after 7 days of stims (or maybe even less) and I ended up with 10 so you still have plenty of time.

Hang in there. I know it is tough.

mandalinn25 · October 2011

My doctor says 8-10 is average...so 9 sounds good. I know it is hard, but quality over quantity is what you want in IVF. Hang in there!

limpetfan · October 2011

I also wanted to add... I think it's interesting that your RE wants to see 15 follies. I think most people get fewer than 15 - at my first egg retrieval they told me the national average is 11. So, definitely don't flip out! Like I posted above, I bet you're on track to wind up with a very respectable number of eggs

tst1998 · October 2011

Like McIrish said, how many follies you get totally depends on your diagnosis. I have a mildly elevated FSH (11) but normal AMH (3.0). We are "unexplained."

On day 5 of stims (300 units Gonal-F, 75 units Luveris) I had 13 follies at 10-12 mm. On day 9 of stims (same dose), I also had 13 follies between 11 and 15. On day 10 of stims (same dose) and day of trigger, I had 6 over 20 mm, 5 in the 15-18 range and about 10 measuring 13-15. We ended up with 16 eggs, 11 fertilized, and 6 made it to transfer/freezing.

So there is still time for your 9 to grow. And even though they only see 9 now, doesn't mean there aren't more hiding somewhere. And even if there aren't, 9 is a great number!

katieworek · October 2011

Mrs.McIrish:
It all depends on your diagnosis. I literally had 2 follies for IVF #1 and #2 so to me, 9 is great. I see in your siggy that you have elevated FSH. What is it? Are you DOR? It is unrealistic to get 15 follies if you are DOR. I personally think you are freaking over nothing. Others who produce lots of follies might feel differently. Finally, yes, you have time to grow more if you follies are in the 10-12 range.

My FSH ranges from 8.5 to 11.5 and my AMH has always been normal. Also, all my follicle counts on cd3 have been normal so no DOR diagnosis.