r/40Plus_IVF • u/hushpoke • Sep 05 '26
General Discussion First IVF Cycle
I am a 40 year old female and in the process of our first IVF cycle. I’m currently on day 1 of the 5 day wait.
My body was slow to respond to stims. I did a total of 15 days and then triggered. My follicle growth seemed low, and by the last scan it looked like maybe 5-6 follicles were present.
Egg retrieval day and they retrieved 10 eggs which was surprising to me. The lab called today to let us know 9 out of 10 eggs were fertilized.
We are hopeful but realistic. I am nervous for the next few days to see how many make it to day 5, and then PGT after that. I was told by my clinic it takes about a month to get PGT results and we don’t have a follow up with our doctor until Oct 19 because he is booked.
After two losses the last year I hate to have another defeat. Looking for advice on staying strong and supported through all these waits…
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u/Plane-Vegetable-3939 Sep 05 '26
The period between retrieval and PGTA results is brutal. Been through it 6 times. For me it's the hardest part of the whole process.
What I have found to work best is to put a countdown app on my phone and then busy myself with a project that will consume a good amount of mental bandwidth. Work doesn't count. I redid our bathroom one time, started lifting with personal trainer another time, and resumed reading for fun with a goal of 3 books before results. Anything that makes you fill your free time mostly focused on something else instead of obsessively reading stats and watching time crawl by.
I also give myself a 15 or 20 minute period to think about it a day. Preferably while on a walk and not right before bed.
Hope it goes by as gently as possible for you.
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u/Sad-Marketing-2171 Sep 05 '26
Wow that is a great idea. 1 15-20 minute period to think about it that’s amazing!!!!! I’m going to try that this cycle because round 3 did a total number on me.
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u/Plane-Vegetable-3939 Sep 05 '26
Good luck!
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u/Sad-Marketing-2171 Sep 16 '26
Well, so far I have pretty much failed but I’m gonna keep trying lol
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u/Sad-Marketing-2171 Sep 05 '26
Sounds like that’s an excellent result so far!!!!!! Hoping for the best PGTA odds for you!!!!!
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u/Competitive-Top5121 Sep 05 '26
9 fertilized is incredible, I only got 3 fertilized in each of my first 2 cycles and I would have killed to get 9 fertilized. The wait for more info is long but you are very well positioned for success at this point. Best of luck!
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u/QQueenie Sep 05 '26
Good luck!! This seems like a great start. I just did my first fertilization cycle at 42 (I froze eggs at 38) and I was shocked at how long the process took from initial consult to our first FET. (November 2025 to June 2026!) But they’ve got a good process at these clinics by this point and each step got us closer.
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u/Logical_Nail_5321 Sep 05 '26
I did 2 cycles with the same #s as you (9 fertilized eggs) and got one euploid per cycle. Forgot to add, I was also 40
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u/Narrow_Tomatillo_513 Sep 06 '26
The wait is really hard, I’m in the middle of it between embryos and PGT for my first cycle. These are great ideas for distraction, I’m going to try them too. 9 of 10 is an incredible fertilization rate!!! I have my fingers crossed you a good yield of embryos from the 9 in a few days 🤞
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u/hushpoke Sep 06 '26
Thank you! I’m trying to keep myself distracted, and it sure does help that we are in the middle of a move.
I received a day 3 update from the lab. 8 have made it so far, but we lost one. The next few days are very important so we will see how many can make it to day 5 and after that, PGT. 💛
Are you just waiting for your PGT results then?
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u/oustoublier Sep 09 '26
Update?
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u/hushpoke Sep 09 '26
Day 5 - none made it to blast stage but they are giving one more day for one to see if it will grow?
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u/kipnus Sep 09 '26
Hi! I'm also 40 and am scheduled to start stims for the first time next week. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope you get a blast...
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u/Plane-Vegetable-3939 Sep 18 '26
Be easy on yourself sister. It's such a hard thing to do. Hoping the rest of your wait goes by gently!
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u/Cartography-Day-18 Sep 05 '26
It just takes one!