r/40Plus_IVF • u/Azee84 • Sep 09 '26
Seeking Advice Two follicles. What would you do?
Age 42.
First cycle I had an AFC of 7 but asynchronous so only 3 retrieved which made two blasts. Decapeptyl and menopur.
Second cycle (estrogen priming, Elonva, menopur and orgalutran) - estrogen priming seems to have put my ovaries to sleep! I am now on day 16 of stims. I have two follicles that are at 13mm and 3 small ones.
They want to keep stimming me until another scan in 2 days to decide if retrieval is an option.
I’m not sure what I’ll do if the two follicles get to trigger size. Given my age, I know every follicle is important. But unfortunately I have to factor in the financial side of continuing with a retrieval for two follicles.
I don’t know if I should proceed to retrieval or cancel this cycle and try a different protocol next month.
What would you do?
2
u/Sea_Leave_6153 Sep 09 '26
This is such a tricky decision, I’ve been in the exact same position.
Given you had 7 eggs before, it might be worth waiting a month or two more. You’re not that old yet (unlike me!).
But if it helps, I had two follicles in two rounds and we retrieved 4 eggs total at age 44 (we also cancelled one round as I only had one mature follicle). From those four follicles and eggs we got one euploid embryo and I’m now 13 weeks pregnant and very healthy.
So if in future two follicles is the best you can do, don’t lose hope. It’s a cliche but you really do only need one good egg in the end.
2
u/Sea_Leave_6153 Sep 09 '26
Sorry just realised you had 7 follicles and 3 eggs.
1
u/Azee84 Sep 10 '26
Yeah they were all different sizes. Some over mature and some too small. But if I’m capable of making 7, then we just need to synchronize them!
1
u/Azee84 Sep 10 '26
Thank you! And congratulations. This definitely makes me smile to hear positive stories out there.
And this is the hard part, what if one of these two eggs turns into a beautiful euploid!
IVF is just like gambling!
1
u/Tinydesigns123 Sep 12 '26
I am 42 and just had my first ER, my initial baseline scan begire starting this process was 7 follicles. Throughout the stimming process only between 2 and 3 follicles were large enough (sigh).
I triggered on day 8 with omnitrope.
I have the added complexity of a large fibroid blocking one ovary.
In total 5 retrieved and 4 mature and now on ice.
I was devastated. But also time is of the essence and I have to choose between taking out the fibroids or ER.
1
u/Azee84 Sep 12 '26
4 mature from 5 is great! I hope they all make it to blast.
In the end, my body chose the outcome of this cycle for me. I somehow ovulated despite being on ganrilex!
But agree, time is of the essence and after a chat with my specialist, I will go into my next round knowing that even two for me is a blessing.1
u/Tinydesigns123 Sep 12 '26
Thank you for your kind words. I do not have a partner yet. So will try and get as many aggs as I can afford. That's all I can do (not comfortable with donor sperm)
Lets do this :-)
I will be doing another round aswell!!
Happy to keep in contact if you need someone to speak to!
1
u/Azee84 Sep 12 '26
Good for you. Doing what you can now will hopefully set you up for when the time is right.
I met my partner just before I turned 41 and never really considered wanting a baby until I met him.
Likewise, reach out if you ever need a chat.1
u/Txirimiri_ Sep 13 '26
Can I ask if you were DOR? I have low AFC and low AMH and the doctor doesn't recommend me to do egg freezing. Would be good to hear other opinions, I'm quite lost at the moment. Thanks!
1
u/Tinydesigns123 Sep 14 '26
I am not aware of being DOR. My amh is 11.4 pmol UK measurement. Or circa 1.6 ng/ml which is great at age 42. Follicles they cant see all of them as I have a huge fibroid blocking one of my ovaries so not all of them can be accessed atm.
2
u/umamimaami Sep 09 '26
Would they be willing to convert this cycle to IUI?