Scan #2 was had yesterday.
The follicles are coming along. I now have 16 follicles, ranging in size between 8mm and 18mm (fyi-follicles are the sacs that hold the eggs inside the ovaries. Women are born with about 450 of them, which will appear during ovulation after puberty strikes you down. In IVf, we race the hormones to get extra follicles from our ovary in one cycle. The problem? The supply, she is limited from birth.) They said most follicles are mature at aounr 16mm, so that's the area I'm hoping to get to.
Looking at my stats, she said that by Wednesday I should have 10 that are at 16mm.
10.
I freaked out.
I need 8, but 8 is that absolute minimum . That's the "you need to be this tall to ride this ride" height. If I have 8 eggs, 4 go to the other woman and 4 go to me. Out of those 4, you can bet at least one won't fertilize (not blaming the swimmers, it's just some relationships are not compatible, so no matter how much wheedling Aidan's sperm do my eggs will just not let him past the door guard.) If I have only 10 that make it, that gives me a shot with 5.
And further to that, Aidan is dead-set on us only replacing one embryo. He's terrified of having twins, it's his worst-case sceanrio. Not having a baby at all is mine. So it looks like we'll have one embryo, as I'm trying to research my stats. Stats show (if I am reading them right) that one egg is enough to do the job sometimes, only...I don't know. Aidan reiterated yesterday that he is getting up there in years, he doesn't want to do this forever. I feel immense time pressure, so shouldn't I go for all I can in my hopes that it will work? Or is that absolutely the wrong way to think?
Will do more research.
I am trying to remain positive-it is possible that many of my follicles will catch up this weekend. They don't knock me out and bust down the ovary doors until next Wednesday which means that there is a shot that some follicles will keep growing. I try to remain positive that all it takes is one embryo, that one embryo can do the job.
I am sore, uncomfortable, and so tired. The follicles are large enough to actually impact me-they're roughly the size of small screws and I feel like I am carrying around tennis balls inside of me for ovaries. I have a sinus infection, migraines, and am bloated to the point where going to the beach is a bad idea, as surely I'll be harpooned if I flop around in the water. So much is happening and I feel really freaked out and hideously lost.
IVF. It's quite a roller coaster.
Posted by Vanessa at April 22, 2006 06:12 AM | TrackBackThalia-I'm sure you're right. I can't find the web page where I saw the 450 now but I know it was an HFEA one, which mildly freaks me out. I'm going to pretend they left off the "million" after the 450 on their web page, because otherwise I wil further stress that the HFEA don't know what they're on about. Thanks for that, I have de-stressed on it somewhat.
Lee and UtUrus-the links are very interesting and very helpful, as well as much better than what I've been finding when abusing Google and looking for info. Thank you!
Posted by: Vanessa at April 23, 2006 06:13 AMI am glad to hear your follies are coming along nicely. Don't be suprised if you get more than 10. I am sure they are being cautious.
Is it warm enough for the beach where you are? My belly is so huge it's hard to believe that I am not pg. I wouldn't even attempt my bathing suit right now. Roller coaster indeed!
Sorry, and I meant to say I'm thinking of you on number of follicles. You are likely to get more than she says, not fewer, as she will be busy managing your expectations. So don't freak out just yet. You're still in good shape.
Posted by: thalia at April 22, 2006 10:34 PMTwo things. I haven't had a chance to research it for you, but my understanding is that replacing two increases the chance of you getting pregnant AT ALL, at teh same time as it also increases the chance of twins - but not by as much as it increases the overall pregnancy rate. So do really think this one through.
Second, you are way off on your number of eggs. First, it's close to millions of eggs. Every cycle around 100 follicles are recruited, but one takes over and the rest are history. Follicles mature over a number of months, not just in the month that we get to see them. Finally, a research study last year showed that mice created follicles during their lives, so no reason to believe that humans don't as well. Research goes on.
Posted by: thalia at April 22, 2006 10:32 PMThat's a great follicle count, and I truly hope some of the late bloomers decide to pick up the pace over the weekend.
The question of how many to transfer is such a difficult and personal one. I hope the information provided by some of the other readers will help you and Aidan come to a decision that works for the both of you.
Grow, follicles, GROW!
Posted by: Ornery at April 22, 2006 07:16 PMhey there. hang in there, girl. i read the two links that Lee sent you, and here's another
http://www.ucsfhealth.org/childrens/health_library/reuters/2005/12/20051216elin005.html
but when you look more specifically into the study, abstract of which is here:
http://www.fertstert.org/article/PIIS0015028205033315/abstract
clearly, they are talking about 5-day transfers of blastocysts.
what we've decided to do is... if we have embies that make it to blast stage, we will replace ONE. if it looks like they are not dividing so well and blast is unlikely, we'll replace either 2 or 3 (on advice of our RE) on the 3-day transfer .
maybe this helps?? hugs to you
Posted by: UtRus at April 22, 2006 06:46 PMWell, here's a question to ask him, and yourself:
Which would he prefer to live with: twins? or you if you don't get pregnant after implanting just one?
My advice to you would be to do what the doctor tells you will give you the best shot at having a child. Whether that's one or two.
Every child is a blessing.
Posted by: caltechgirl at April 22, 2006 05:53 PMGod I know that has got to be a hard call to make. I'm thinking of you and hoping that the time until Wednesday speeds by!
Posted by: donna at April 22, 2006 12:56 PMHi, here are two that I came across:
http://tinyurl.com/e6ub5
http://tinyurl.com/gmwee
Good luck with the decision and hang in there!