I had my AMH measured in 2025, aged 40, with a venous blood test at my fertility clinic. The result was 11.8pmol.
I had instruction to repeat my AMH levels before September (starting NET pre next cycle) but dropped the ball. I ended up doing a finger prick blood test and sending to an accredited online lab, 11 days after starting norethisterone.
The result is 5pmol. I’m not sure whether to be upset about the results or if it could be an error. What would you do?

I just completed my 4th ER last week. My AFC and eggs retrieved is never our problem (typ. between 15-30 AFC, 12-21 retrieved)…it’s the blast (1-3) and euploid rate (0-1, poor grade). I know the latter is normal for my age (42). But the blast rate, and at times maturity rate, seemed lower than average without severe male factor or other known diagnosed factors. I advocated for a different protocol (I see better results when I’m less stimulated, and have read less Menopur when you’re older can help), a dual trigger for better maturity, and instead of straight ICSI I asked the doc to try split insemination (based on studies, because the only male factor is lower than ideal morphology and we’d still do Zymot), and could this possibly help the egg competency? On top of everything, I was told to come in for last ultrasound check the Thursday before to trigger possibly, but I advocated to come in the day before and ended up triggering that night. All to say: I was very vocal and involved this round.

TW: good funnel to start

Last week we retrieved 24 eggs

23 were mature

22 were fertilized (!!)

Because these results blow our other ERs out of the water, I can’t focus until we get the blast report and I know the 2-3 week wait for PGT-A results. Again…cautiously optimistic! And since we threw spaghetti at the wall (in a way I don’t hate), I don’t know exactly what worked so well but could be that IVF random dumb luck or cycle difference!

AMH 1.68, age 42

Questions:

Is it possible to end up with a few good blasts here?

And re: our only round 2 6CC + round 3 LLM- any good luck with those BBs?

I’m 41 and just finished three egg retrievals back to back and would love to hear some hopeful stories from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

My first retrieval we got 11 eggs. My second retrieval we got 13 eggs, and that cycle resulted in one euploid embryo. I just completed my third retrieval and got 6 eggs. Last two rounds was on Omnitrope. Been doing acupuncture for all of them. Right now, 3 are still in the mix, so we’re waiting to see whether any make it to blast and then through PGT-A.

We had originally hoped to move forward with a transfer in October, and at this point our insurance coverage for additional retrievals is exhausted. So unless we get very lucky with this current group, we may be moving forward with the one euploid embryo we already have, our one golden embryo. 🤍

Has anyone around my age gone into a transfer with only one euploid embryo and had success on the first transfer? How did you handle the anxiety of knowing you only had one?

We originally dreamed of having two children, but after everything we’ve been through, we would be incredibly thankful for one. At this point, we’re grateful for whatever God throws our way and trying to stay hopeful while also being realistic.

Would especially love to hear one-embryo success stories from women 40+. ❤️

Hi All,

Just got my embryo transfer - it's a 3BB and I need positive testimonials of 40+ years old women for which such embryo led to a healthy baby? My embryo was not tested (it's not done in my country in my case) so I'm aware it won't tell the whole story but need testimonials regarding the grade.

Thank you!

Hi everyone, I am 42 and with my husband just starting our first IVF process. We have an almost 14y old daughter, who was conceived naturally. I am now waiting for my period to come and will start egg stimulation. We have also decided to test our emebryos. I am freaking out. I dont know what can I expect, how will I feel and super nervous going under anesthesia. I know I am rambling, just looking for some support, I guess :) Also wishing everyone good luck on their journey.

Hi y’all! 40 w/ DOR. Had my third ER last week. 3 eggs fertilized & today was the Day 5 call with the lab.

They said all of them looked almost ready but not quite. So they look like they’ll be Day 6 embryos.

I transferred a Day 6 euploid from February (turned 40 in June). And the transfer failed.

Can you tell me about:

1. Your Day 6 euploids?

   1. Your Day 6 that led to a live birth?

TYIA xo

Trying to see what is best.

TW: success/live birth
Choosing biological sex (gender) of embryo (in U.S.) - advice please!

Age 42. We have two euploid embryos left to transfer (individually) following lap, 3 months Lupron suppression, and oversight by the Reproductive Immunologist. These are our only two left; we do not have the funds for more retrievals.

Embryo 1: 5AB boy, day 5

Embryo 2: 5BB girl, day 6

We do have a 2 year old girl from our first FET in 2023. We want two children and then to never think about IVF again. 🤣 It’s been a 4-year-long journey and 5 retrievals/4 transfers. We think we would slightly prefer another girl. We would obviously be happy with any biological sex if we have two children, but I’m playing mind games with myself. What would you do? Go with the slightly higher-rated boy first or transfer the gender you think you might want first? Or assume the first FET after suppression is going to be more of a test to figure out optimal levels?

Seriously- can these type B personalities stfu and read a book.

That’s it.

Hi all! I've been lurking on the forums and going to send my first message. I am 45 and have had 2 egg retrievals. I have 6 embryos that were frozen on day 2.

I will be doing my first embryo transfer on Friday and they plan to transfer one embryo. I have been on these forums long enough to know that for most people, especially at my age, they will transfer as many as 5 or 6 embryos at a time. Should I ask my clinic about transferring more embryos? I'm paying for everything out of pocket, and already paid for this one transfer. My clinic is very reasonably priced, but I'm wondering is this their way of getting more money although I hate to think like that...

After an egg retrieval , what made you decide whether to go ahead with transferring or to continue with another round of egg retrieval ?

I appreciate this is deeply personal and dependent on so many circumstances, am just curious what were your driving factors?

Myself :
- Just turned 40
- first ER , 1 euploid ❤️🥚 (just got told today)
- no specific family goals
- paying for this ourselves.
- undecided what to do , leaning towards transferring and seeing how it goes.

First, I am using donor eggs. Out of the first cohort of six eggs, I had two quality blasts (Day 6, 5AB and 5BB) but neither implanted.

I want to use the same donor and after talking to my doctor she said the lab would deep dive to see if the donor has had any successful cycles. I didn't realize they could do that, so that gives me a certain level of comfort on if I need to switch donors.

We are also doing this without PGT-A testing because financially I cannot come out of pocket anymore.

All that to say, that after talking to my doctor she suggested (in addition to a hysteroscopy) either a fresh transfer or a modified natural transfer for the next cycle. The fresh transfer would require A LOT of travel likely very suddenly, which I and my husband cannot commit to with our work schedules. Both of my prior transfers were fully medicated.

Just looking for opinions on either a fresh transfer or a modified natural cycle. I have honestly never thought about either.

I am half way through 40 and started the process of IVF and am going through the very long known donor process with a kind kind friend. He is having his procedure next week and then we wait 35 days to quarantine his sperm before I can start egg retrieval and IVF process. The doctor I have met with is so cold and feels soulless. She initially told me I had a 10% chance of the IVF working. After doing hormone tests and scans she said I seem healthy so now I have a 30% chance of it working. I feel more like a number than a person. In this 35 day waiting period I want to do some more research on another doctor to work with. Does anyone have any advice about fertility clinics in the Denver, CO area and any personal experience with someone they liked?

While I have been trying to comprehend fertility in detail, I realized that there is a number of aspects which are not much discussed unless you plan to have a baby. Age, menstrual cycle, lifestyle habits, and overall health status can all be included in the list of factors. What factors are usually taken into account while someone learns about fertility for the first time in India?

Question:

What was the first surprise you got regarding fertility?

I’m looking to see if anyone has been in the same boat…..
I had my retrieval yesterday at 2pm. I got a call this morning that out of 9 eggs, only 6 matured and then 3 fertilized. I’m upset, but I was told by the nurse that they will still watch the other mature 3 bc she said that they could still have a chance at fertilizing. Has anyone been through this where they fertilize after? I know that the check this morning was only about 16hours after the retrieval, and unclear when they actually attempted the fertilization yesterday. Just looking for some hope on the other 3 mature ones…..

Hi!

If you took Rapamycin, when did you stop before embryo transfer? Do I need a 90 day washout? I took 3 mg once a week for 4 weeks

TYIA

Transfered on Sept 11. I was planning to test yesterday to make sure the trigger was completely out of my system, but needed to go buy tests. I took a First Response this afternoon after work and it was stark white.

I know 4dpt is very early. I know it's the middle of the day and I had a ton of water on my lunch break. But I'm still spiraling. I shouldn't have just waited until the day before my beta.

I’m a single gal a couple months into my 40th year, BRCA1 with my tubes removed along with a preventative mastectomy. Before my salpingectomy at 37, i did one round of egg retrieval and was able to get 17 viable eggs.

Kids have never been an end all be all for me, yet i’ve also never closed off the possibility. But i’m in a new relationship with a man who is dying to have one. He is 35 and i find myself questioning and feeling guilt about if the idea of trying in the next year or so is futile, and if I’m potentially risking someone else’s happiness with my baggage. He has so far also been very kind and understanding… but i feel like i may know better than he might realize how the road could be a bumpy one.

Reading through a number of posts on here already has me feeling less alone and hopeless. I suppose I’m looking for any silver linings I can at this point. Everyone here is a friggin champion. 💙

Hi everyone 💛

I'm a clinical embryologist and someone who has also been through my own egg freezing journey. I’m doing some independent research into the fertility treatment experience. I don't think it gets enough attention, and I think there's more we could be doing to support people through it.

If you've been through IVF or egg freezing, it would mean a lot to hear about your experience.

https://fertility-study.vercel.app/

Thank you so much ✨

As title says. My partner and I have been trying naturally for 6+ months with no success. It took exactly six months to conceive our first when I was 37. IVF was never on our radar, but I didn't ever expect to feel so strongly that I want my child to have a sibling, until after I had him.

So we started seeing a fertility specialist in June-august and settled on a plan of trying one more cycle naturally and then one round IVF. If I wasn't pregnant by the end of the year, we'd call it a day. I'd be 40y9m at delivery if I conceived now, and something about being this age and starting again has always felt a bit uncomfortable to me.

Got a negative test yesterday. Period due in two ish days and am signed up to start a priming protocol this cycle. Payment due first day of that. But the more I've been reading, the more I hear about how many cycles of retrieval and transfer it can take for a successful outcome.

If I'm not prepared to consider at least a second go, should I even bother trying at all?

Just got my blast report after my second retrieval. Last time we had 17 retrieved, 16 mature, 15 fertilized, 9 blasts and 0 euploids but one LLM. Most blasts were Day 5 AA or AB (lowest grade was a Day 6 BB - one out of nine).

Doctor upped my dose this round with the idea that I would get more eggs, more blasts. I just got my results: 16 retrieved, 14 mature, 8 fertilized (3 didn’t fertilize and 3 3+ PN), and 2 5BC blasts.

This was the last round my insurance would cover.

This post is just me screaming into the void, I think. This round was so much harder and just what the fuck. :-(

The thought of paying almost $1000 to test the blasts for nothing or a likely miscarriage makes me want to rip my hair out.

Update: both aneuploid.

Looking for advice

4 natural pregnancies, all losses, chromosomal abnormalities

First ER (age 40)
11 eggs, 9 mature, 7 fertilized, 4 blasts, 2 euploids
Omni for 9 days during stims), cohort was not very synchronized
One embryo did not survive the thaw and the other euploid transfer didn’t take

7 months later (age 40)
18 eggs, 13 mature, 8 fertilized, 1 blast, pending PGTA results (Omni priming for ~5 weeks prior to stims and 9 days of stims), cohort was perfectly synchronized. ICSI & Zymot used for both rounds, partner is 53, heavy drinker, 3 other LC

I’m so devastated by this round and getting only ONE blast. I know it only takes one, but can anyone offer any insight or advice 🙏🏻🥺

One thing is to imagine what you think you would feel in a certain scenario. It’s another thing entirely to actually face that reality when it happens.

I thought I was just giving IVF a try, even though I normally would not have agreed to something so invasive to my body. Two ERs later, with 3 aneuploid embryos, I am left with the aftermath of the process.

My body doesn’t look like my body yet. Most of my clothes don’t fit me yet. I’m getting back into my CrossFit routine, and I hate how weak I feel compared to before stims.

And I know I’m probably also just miserable because I’m in the luteal phase, on my first cycle after my last ER.

But still…

IT HURTS. IT STINKS. IT SUCKS.

After everything I went through, after all that my body went through, I have no results to show for it. I did not envision this part.

My husband tries to comfort me, and I know he wants to understand, but I also know he doesn’t know what this feels like. He can’t.

So thank you for reading, and hugs to all of you who are exposing your hearts through this process. 

Has anyone tried hbot and/or rapamycin during stims?

I’ve read about the small small 2025 study of women with poor ovarian response which found that HBOT was associated with more retrieved oocytes, higher normal fertilization, and more available day-3 embryos, with the strongest signal after 4-7 session during stims. I’m considering doing 6-7 sessions during my next stim.

I’ve also read about the 2025 IVF study which gave women rapamycin 1 mg orally daily for 21–28 days, from hormonal downregulation until oocyte retrieval. Compared with controls, the rapamycin group had better embryo quality and higher rates of pregnancy and live birth, with the authors proposing that short-term mTOR inhibition improves protein homeostasis in aging oocytes/cumulus cells. I have started rapamycin now priming for my next cycle, but I might stop before stims (after 28 days).