Feeling uncertain about this purchase šŸ˜•

Hey all, I need some advice. I found a deal online that seems too good to be true, and now I’m having second thoughts. I’ve been burned before with sketchy sellers, and I really don’t want that to happen again. The reviews of the store are mixed, and I can’t shake this feeling that I might be about to get ripped off. What do you think? Any tips on how to tell if a deal is legit or not? Any red flags I should be on the lookout for? Your insights would be super helpful!

Starting this process involves a lot to learn. Based on the information provided, it’s hard to give any recommendations. Can you tell us about your AMH or AFC levels prior to starting, as well as the medications and doses you are currently on? This will help us to provide more specific advice regarding your situation. Thank you for reaching out for support and guidance during this process.

Have a conversation with your doctor about your concerns and seek the information you deserve. It can be frustrating that we have to advocate for ourselves, but it’s important to push for answers, especially in difficult situations. Good luck!

I had 7 follicles, each with an egg, but only 5 matured. It seems to vary based on how your body reacts to the medication. I was in the same boat with my first round and wasn’t sure what to expect - best of luck with yours!

It is your right to refuse egg retrieval regardless of the number of follicles present. The procedure cannot be performed without your consent and willingness.

In my first stims cycle, I only had 1 follicle and the retrieval was canceled at the last minute. The cycle included menopur, gonal-f, and cetrorelix. For my next attempt, we tried ā€œmini-IVFā€ with letrozole and a lower dose of gonal-f. Although I had 6 follicles, only 5 were retrieved, 4 fertilized, and 3 became blasts, resulting in 1 PGTA euploid embryo. After a failed transfer due to thin lining, the second try was successful and I am now 26 weeks pregnant. It’s common not to respond well to stims initially, which is why we opted for a different protocol the second time. If your follicle count is low near the retrieval date, don’t hesitate to cancel and try again with a new plan. Good luck to everyone going through a similar journey!

Slow and steady is the best approach. My endo made it challenging to get stimulated, but research shows that egg quality improves when we take things easy. Quantity doesn’t always equal quality - aim for 5-7 eggs. I defied the odds and had success with 3 mature eggs yielding 1 blast after PGTA testing. Quality over quantity! :heart:

During each ultrasound at my clinic, the technicians explain what they see and determine if it’s positive or negative. Afterwards, the nurses confirm the technician’s findings and advise on any medication adjustments. If the doctor disagrees, they will contact me directly. I appreciate the thorough and reassuring approach taken by my clinic, as it alleviates stress and assures me of their expertise.

Is it possible that your clinic is not up to par? I had a negative experience at my previous clinic, but even they regularly counted follicles during ultrasounds. Take a moment to assess the quality of your clinic. How often do you see your reproductive endocrinologist? Are the nurses attentive and efficient in their roles? Consider finding a new clinic if this one does not meet your standards.

To give you an estimate, you should aim to have at least 2 or more follicles of a minimum size. If you don’t have any large enough, it doesn’t mean the others won’t mature in time for retrieval. Smaller follicles will continue to grow and catch up after the trigger shot until retrieval. I personally had 1-2 larger follicles and several mid-sized ones, resulting in about 6-7 eggs collected during my retrieval.

I would inquire about the number of follicles on each side and the method of measurement. If there are less than three, I would consider canceling the cycle. Why were you started on injectibles on day 7 of your cycle? This seems late to me. It is not uncommon for there to be nothing remarkable on ultrasound on day 6 of stims, but it is unusual on CD 13. I suggest pushing for more specific information from your healthcare provider.

Your treatment plan appears to be standard. My experience involved 5 small follicles on day 5 of stimulation, with one ovary not responding well. Despite needing 11 days of stimulation, retrieval on day 13 was successful with only one egg needed. It is too soon to predict the outcome of this cycle. It is important to remember that everyone responds differently to fertility treatments, so there is no exact standard or average for what is considered normal. Success in fertility treatments varies greatly from person to person.

My clinic provides limited information, but my doctor conducts the ultrasounds and gives general updates like ā€œgrowing wellā€ and ā€œmore on one side.ā€ I’m on Menopur 150 and Gonal-F 150 and have been on the same dosage the entire time. I’m currently on day 10 of injections. I also checked my past appointment notes online and found detailed information about the sizes of the follicles.

Make sure to consult with your doctor about your concerns. They are taking all necessary precautions, but it’s helpful to have everything explained to you.