Pregnant after IF

What were your follicle count and sizes?

Hello and baby dust to all! I am on Follistim 150iu daily (started CD3) and Letrozole 5mg (CD3-7). I had a follicular transvaginal ultrasound today (CD8) and to my surprise I had six 8-11mm follicles (3 on each ovary). In the past I have only had one less than optimal sized follicle. I return on CD13 for another ultrasound to determine if they have grown.

Can anyone else share their follicle count and sizes with me on whatever CD you had your ultrasounds? Any success? TYIA :)

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Me (31, a nurse) – PCOS, Anovulatory (2-3 periods/year), Hyperglycemia.

DH (33, also a nurse) – No health or fertility issues.

G2P2 - DS (2003), DD (2009)

- Never been on birth control or tried to prevent pregnancy.

- TTC naturally again since 8/2017. 

- Followed by RE, OBGYN fertility specialist, and PCP.

Fertility treatments:

1. 7/2018: CD 2-6 Clomid 100mg at noon + Letrozole 7.5mg at bedtime x5d + HCG trigger shot on CD 15 = BFN

  - CD14 transvaginal ultrasound showed a 15mm follicle on the left ovary

2. 8/2018: Starting CD3, Follistim 150iu (units) every morning + CD 3-7 Letrozole 7.5mg at bedtime + HCG trigger shot (CD TBD) = TBD

  - Transvaginal ultrasounds scheduled for CD 8, CD 13 & CD 14 to monitor for follicle growth and rule out OHSS.

Re: What were your follicle count and sizes?

  • You are on the pregnant after IF board so everyone here did have success.
    Pregnancy TickerAbout me: *TW*

    Me: 34, DH: 38                                                                                                                                                                                
    TTC #1 June of 2014  9/14 BFP, baby boy EDD 5/18/15. Elias (Eli) born 5/13/15 7lb0oz, 19 inches.                                      
    Surprise BFP 10/15, live ectopic, lost ruptured tube on 11/5/15 at 8 weeks                                                                              
    Started TTC #2 2/16                                                                                                                                                                   
    HSG 1/18 after no BFPs- diagnosed w/ tubal infertility and referred to RE                                                                     
    3/28/18 remaining tube removed                                                                                                                                              
    IVF 5/18: 15 retrieved, 11 fertilized, 8 blasts -- (3) 4aa, (2) 5aa (2) 4ba frozen -- fresh transfer of 1 day-5 4aa blast, BFP, EDD 2/4/19

  • @nursettc This is a question for the Infertility board. I'm sure they'd be happy to help :) 
    TTC #1 since April 2015
    June 2016 - CP
    2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
    IVF w/ PGS  - January 2018
    FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
    ERA Cycle May / June 2018
    ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
    FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP <3 Beta #1 - 137 Beta #2 - 410
    U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
    Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
    EDD March 28, 2019
    Baby Girl born 3/26/19  <3



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  • You are on the pregnant after IF board so everyone here did have success.
    Yes, I know :) That is why I am asking here. I'd like to know how many follicles and what size they were with your successful pregnancies.. if anyone is willing to share?

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Me (31, a nurse) – PCOS, Anovulatory (2-3 periods/year), Hyperglycemia.

    DH (33, also a nurse) – No health or fertility issues.

    G2P2 - DS (2003), DD (2009)

    - Never been on birth control or tried to prevent pregnancy.

    - TTC naturally again since 8/2017. 

    - Followed by RE, OBGYN fertility specialist, and PCP.

    Fertility treatments:

    1. 7/2018: CD 2-6 Clomid 100mg at noon + Letrozole 7.5mg at bedtime x5d + HCG trigger shot on CD 15 = BFN

      - CD14 transvaginal ultrasound showed a 15mm follicle on the left ovary

    2. 8/2018: Starting CD3, Follistim 150iu (units) every morning + CD 3-7 Letrozole 7.5mg at bedtime + HCG trigger shot (CD TBD) = TBD

      - Transvaginal ultrasounds scheduled for CD 8, CD 13 & CD 14 to monitor for follicle growth and rule out OHSS.

  • I’m guessing you’re IVF based on the number of Follicles. I’m IUI but after a lot of time on the boards - try not to focus on the numbers. While the numbers do hold certain realities, there’s a lot of mamas here after IF who were left with just one embryo to transfer. Stay positive. Hope all goes well for you. 
    Me: 37 DH: 37 - Married 10.2015 ❤️ Canadian 
    DX: Endometriosis - Stage 4, DOR, RPL
    TTC #1 07.2015
    03.2016 - Natural BFP - MC 5w4d
    04.2016 - Natural BFP - Chemical
    10.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = IUI Cancelled (cyst/no mature follicle)
    11.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFP, EDD 08.2017 - It's a BOY!
    TTC #2 06.2019
    08.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = Chemical
    09.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFN
    10.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #3 = BFN
    01.2020 - IUI w/ Injections #4 = BFN
    08.2020 - Natural BFP - MC 9w5d
    11.2020 - IVF Retrieval - 3AB & 4BB
    05.2021 - FET #1 = BFP, EDD 02.2022 - It's a BOY!

           
  • mayflower513mayflower513 member
    edited August 2018
    I don’t remember how many follicles I had on which days, but my AFC was 18 and at my ER 15 were retrieved, of which 11 fertilized and I ended up with 8 blasts, 1 of which we did a fresh transfer with which was a 4aa, and I got my BFP.

    ETA: OK, I went back and looked and I started stims on 5/4 and on 5/9 I had 8 follicles 10+ and 12 that were less than 10.  On 5/11 I had 11 between 10 and 17mm.  On 5/12 I had 11 between 10.5 and 21, on 5/13 I had 16 between 10 and 21mm, 12 of which were over 14mm - I also triggered that day.
    Pregnancy TickerAbout me: *TW*

    Me: 34, DH: 38                                                                                                                                                                                
    TTC #1 June of 2014  9/14 BFP, baby boy EDD 5/18/15. Elias (Eli) born 5/13/15 7lb0oz, 19 inches.                                      
    Surprise BFP 10/15, live ectopic, lost ruptured tube on 11/5/15 at 8 weeks                                                                              
    Started TTC #2 2/16                                                                                                                                                                   
    HSG 1/18 after no BFPs- diagnosed w/ tubal infertility and referred to RE                                                                     
    3/28/18 remaining tube removed                                                                                                                                              
    IVF 5/18: 15 retrieved, 11 fertilized, 8 blasts -- (3) 4aa, (2) 5aa (2) 4ba frozen -- fresh transfer of 1 day-5 4aa blast, BFP, EDD 2/4/19

  • I ended up retrieving 50 eggs...at the end of it all, had 24 mature and had 6 good blasts o Day 5-6 to send to PGS testing, 2 were normal. We got lucky on our 2nd transfer with my last embryo. So in the end, the amount of follicles amount doesn't always matter as much as the quality. I know girls that didn't have many going into retrieval, still come out with good mature one's and got pregnant. There's just a lot more factors going into it all. Some just lucky their 1st try and some it takes numerous rounds. 
    TTC #1 since April 2015
    June 2016 - CP
    2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
    IVF w/ PGS  - January 2018
    FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
    ERA Cycle May / June 2018
    ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
    FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP <3 Beta #1 - 137 Beta #2 - 410
    U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
    Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
    EDD March 28, 2019
    Baby Girl born 3/26/19  <3



  • Reiterating that the numbers don't really matter -- I had about 15 folli's total and they retrieved 10 eggs, 9 of which were mature. Only 5 of those fertilized but we got 2 day 6 blasts, one of which became my little girl. You just need 1 to go the distance; obviously having quantity helps, but I've seen lots of women with huge numbers of eggs or blasts struggle to get a BFP while those with 1 or 2 get a BFP first or second try.
    ~~ Our Story in Spoiler! TW loss/child~~
    Fall 2012 -- started TTC
    Summer 2015 - no BFP yet, labs normal, referred to RE
    Fall 2015 - Summer 2016 - Further testing all normal. 3 IUI's -- BFN. Recommended move to IVF. Planned cycle for fall 2016.
    September 2016 - Surprise natural BFP. MMC @ 8 weeks. RE expressed confidence that we just needed the 'right' embryo.
    Fall 2016 - Spring 2017 -- Break from TTC
    June 2017 - Started IVF; egg retrieval for freeze all cycle. 9 mature eggs retrieved, 5 fertilized. 2 4BB embies on ice.
    August 2017 - FET transfer both embies. BFP.  Twin pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound. EDD 4/28/18
    September 2017 - Twin B stopped developing; Twin A doing perfectly! Graduated from RE @ 10 weeks
    March 2018 - Baby Girl born via C/S due to pre-eclampsia -- strong and healthy!

    TTC #2
    January/Feb 2021 - Freeze-all IVF cycle 
    March 2021 - FET of 1 PGS normal female embryo. BFP! Beta #1 156,  #2 472, #3 1241, #4 5268 EDD 12/5/21 - Christmas baby!


    "When all is lost then all is found."


  • @nursettc don't worry about quantity and trust your doctor. We only retrieved 7 eggs but got 4 blasts out of it which was a very good percentage. However after 3 transfers that failed or ended up in CP I am now pregnant with my very last embryo. I guess you never know what will happen. But you have to work together with your medical team.
    Me 30, DH 39
    TTC since Aug 2015, 
    BFP Apr 2017 - late diagnosed EP, right tube removed, left tube scarred.
    Dx: tubal IF
    IVF Sept 2017, 7 R, 6M, 6F- 4 blasts, 1 transferred fresh - CP
    FET #1 Dec 2017- BFN
    FET #2 Jan 2018- CP
    FET #3 BFP!!! EDD 12/15/2018!
  • Are you doing IUI or IVF? also it really depends.... having that many this early in the game for IUI is not a big deal because they don't usually all become mature... andplusalso you won't trigger till you have mature follies  (18mm or larger) I've never heard of someone doing clomid and letrozole in the same cycle... its a bit odd... 

    for me I could have anywhere from 1-4 mature follies on the same dose of letrozole. bodies are weird and don't respond the same way every cycle.  if your doing TI, it may not be as successful as IUI.
    *TW*
    TTC 1/2012
    Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
    6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
    TTC #3 5/2016
    Restarted Fertility tx
    IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17

  • @nursettc yeah, like other women here said, don’t worry about numbers.

    On my first IVF I had 30 follicles. 21 mature, 20 fertilized, 8 made it to day 5/6 and out of which, 4 were PGS normal.  I transferred all 4, one by one, and had 4 failures (1 MMC, 1 CP and 2 BFN) 

    On my second IVF I had only 10 follicles, 6 mature, 6 fertilized, 6 transferred on day 3 and I’m now 26 weeks pregnant with one baby. 

    Also keep in mind that I’ll be 43 in 2 months. Which explains why my percentages of normal embryos is small. 4 out of 30 in first IVF and I’m assuming 1 out of 10 in second. 
    TTC history in spoiler box:
    Me: 42, single
    Hysteroscopy: 2013
    IUI #1-2: 2013 BFN
    Surgery 10/2015: Planned to start trying again but had a surgery. (Not related to fertility)
    Surgery 5/2016: Planned to start trying again but had another surgery. (Not related to fertility)
    IUI  #3-5 (with Clomid): summer 2016 BFN
    IVF #1: 11/2016. 30R; 21M; 20F; 8B (6 day5 & 2 day6); 4 normal after PGS
    Medicated FET #1: 1/31/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFP. Embryo stopped growing at 6w 1d. MUA at 9w 3d.
    Medicated FET #2June 2017 - cancelled...
    Hysteroscopy #2: June 2017
    Medicated FET #2: 8/7/2017 transferred 1 embryo 5BB. BFP. Ended in CP.
    Medicated FET #3: 10/11/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFN
    ERA: December 2017 - need an extra 12 hours of PIO
    Medicated FET #4: 1/24/2018 transferred 1 embryo 4AA. BFN
    Out of embryos.  :'(
    IVF #2: 03/2018.

  • We 26 follicles throughout the process all varying in size. They got 16 total after the retrieval and we ended up with 11 or 12 blasts. We sent them for PGS testing and ended up with 8 normal embabies. 
    We transferred our highest rated one which was a boy and it stuck the first time. He’s now 3 months old. Again just like what everyone else said I agree with. 
    TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy. 
  • The number doesn’t matter, like what everyone says. My second retrieval I had about 25+ follicles, my RE retrieved 15 eggs but only 3 were mature. Ended up with 5 blasts after maturing eggs in vitro. All 5 were abnormal by PGS. My third retrieval I had at one point over 40 follicles and I stopped follistim dosing and coasted for a few days before retrieval. What that does is that some larger follicles will continue to grow while smaller ones will just stop growing. I don’t know how many follicles I had before retrieval, but we retrieved 15 eggs of which 10 were mature. All 10 fertilized, 7 became blasts, 4 were PGS normal. One of the normal blasts is my 5-month old son. 

    For me, the follicle numbers didn’t indicate success, what was more important was whether the eggs were mature and the percentage of the mature eggs over the total collected. I used different stim protocols for retrieval 2 and 3.
    Me: 41  DH: 46
    Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance
    FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018
    FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET  
  • One dr kept saying I had 20+ while the other was counting 5, I can’t remeber the sizes. We ended up with 10 eggs, 5 embryos made it to day 5, and we have our son now. Sorry I can’t remember specifics. Crossing fingers for you!!
  • For IUI I did 3 cycles and had 4, 2, then 1 and all were BFNs. For IVF I had 8 follies, all mature, ended up with 7 embryos and the first one transferred was successful.
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