Ovulation stimulation and cancelled cycles

[LuluHB]

I'm about to start ovulation stimulation - at least I will when my DH comes back from working OS! I'm really worried about the chances of having to cancel a cycle because of too many follicles. I have no problem conceiving at all but I just can't hold a pregnancy, so my OB is suggesting this to try and support my body the whole way through a cycle, and hopefully get a sticky pg at the end of it. I'm going to start with really low doses but am still really worried. I'm almost 41 so time is well and truly ticking for us.

Does anyone know how often cycles need to be cancelled? I think if there were 2 mature follicles then I would probably take the risk of twins over cancelling, but what if there are more? I know my OB would know all this, but I was just so overwhelmed by all the information when we saw him that I didn't ask and now I'm stressing. Thanks ladies.

[RhiChiChi]

Hey Lulu,

I didn't do full on IVF but did IUI. I can fall pg too but find it hard to sustain a pg. I was an ok responder to the meds - low dose and constant monitoring. I never got more than 1 mature follie. Once we had confirmed ovulation and the proceedure was done, they did blood tests to check my progesterone levels (what help to sustain pg) and each time I was told to do the extra prog. injection. Sounds like they are going to see how you respond to the meds and offer prog. supplements based on your response (checked via u/s & bloods).

Hopefully some of the more experienced IVFers will pop in.

[nothing2lose]

Hi lulu

What sort of ovulation induction are you talking about? Is it clomid or a trigger like cetratide??

With regards to ovulation induction I don't think I have ever heard of a cycle being cancelled.

[LuluHB]

Its clomid throughout, then with the trigger - I think!! I've got it all written down somewhere with scripts and stuff.

[nothing2lose]

Okay. Clomid isn't a follicle stimulating hormone in the same way as IVF meds such as gonal f are. You don't really get multiple mature follicles (maybe two). I have never heard of a clomid cycle being cancelled due to too many follies.

[LuluHB]

Sorry - just checked. I'm on puregon to start, and then pregnyl after ovulation. I have to go into the clinic to get the trigger injection. Does that sound right now? Sorry - just so overwhelmed by all of this. Making babies is not supposed to be this way!

[nothing2lose]

Aaahhh....that changes thing. Puregon is the same as gonal f. It is a FSH designed to "recruit" as many follies as possible. That said, you would have to hyperstimulate for them to cancel. It is unlikely (given your age) that you would get dozens of eggs. Pregnyl is the pregnancy hormone HCG and will give you all the pg symptoms.

[LuluHB]

Thanks N2L. Will cross my fingers then that I just get one lovely fat follicle. Not looking forward to phantom pg symptoms but hey, I guess I've had enough of the real pg symptoms that its just going to feel like normal!

[Janie71]

Hi there - I did 6 cycles of OI (Puregon/Pregnyl) and I only had one that had to be cancelled due to too many follicles. They keep a really close eye on you and start you on a low dose. Lots of scans make sure that there is only 1 -2 dominant follicles.

Good Luck!
Janie xxx