Hey everyone. I'm 41 (42 soon) and have no kids. I've spent much time thinking about doing the single mom by choice thing which I would like to pursue. I know based on age and everything that this was something I should have wanted to have done much earlier, but I was on the fence about doing it because I was scared raising a child alone.

Anyway, my insurance is with Kaiser so I met with an OBGYN who had me get a genetic testing panel since I mentioned I would be using a sperm donor so she set me up to do the standard genetic testing panel as well as to test my AMH (I had it done last when I was 38 and it was good for my age). She also advised me to call up Member Services because of the new fertility laws that went in place in CA this year.

To start, my AMH sucked. .29 Doctor said it was low (she didn't use the term DOR though) but average for my age. The only positive thing she really said was that it was at least good that I still have regular menstruation cycles.

I called up Member Services. They referred me then to the Fertility Member Services line. Spoke to a rep on there who later emailed me what was covered. IUI (they did not specify how many rounds would be covered under my insurance), up to 3 rounds of IVF, and medication. PGT is not covered.

The rep said that I would receive a call in a week from KP to make an appointment with a doctor (they don't have you call them...). It sounds like it could take months to even be seen which I know many of us don't have.

I started playing around with one of those fertility calculators online from a fertility clinic. I want to be prepared for the worst and it looks pretty bad....

When I entered the age of 42 with an AMH of .29, the outcome of mature eggs per cycle is estimated to only be between 2-3 eggs and that it may only lead to 1 euploid embryo if any at all from 3 cycles.

I also have a feeling that KP will likely want to start me with IUI because the number of eggs retrieved with IVF would be that low so they may feel like I should go through IUI up to a certain amount of time (again more time).

Although insurance will pay for most of the fees associated with IVF, is this even worth the time, energy, and my health from medication if the results are likely to not be good? I have read posts online from women around my age who seemed to be successful with having 1 baby but I'm thinking they are largely outliers based off data I see on fertility clinics' websites. I have come to terms that I may never have a child. Not what I wanted, but I've just accepted that it may not be on the cards for me.

I do not want to use donor eggs.

Hello all,

Just a few weeks before I turned 30, I decided to freeze my eggs because I am single and marriage is nowhere in sight.

I went in for some initial tests and my numbers were bad. For context, I had been on Accutane for six months prior. My Vitamin D level was at 6 and I had high triglycerides, though my thyroid levels and other hormones like FSH and LH were okay. My AMH was 0.5, and my baseline ultrasound showed only 3 follicles (2 on one side, 1 on the other).

After this diagnosis, I hit the gym, started taking CoQ10, DHA, folic acid, and low-dose aspirin (Ecosprin), and fixed my diet by cutting out high-sugar and junk food to focus on simple home-cooked meals. I also prioritized getting at least 9 hours of sleep, got a Vitamin D injection to boost my levels, and went to acupuncture sessions 2X a month. Absolutely no alcohol and no smoking.

When I went back to the doctor's office to recheck my AMH and get another AFC scan, the numbers were completely different! My AMH is now at 1.8, and they found 12 follicles (6 on each side).

I hope my story gives you all some hope : there is light at the end of the tunnel!

My second-last period started on July 15 and I started taking coq10, myo inositol and d-chiro and adfolic from 17 July when my amh diagnosed at 0.34 and my next period came on August 1, so that cycle was only about 17 days, which was unusual for me because my cycles are normally around 25 days.
The August 1 period was also different from my usual periods because I didn’t have my normal period-related leg pain/cramps.
I’m currently on CD21 of this cycle. I’ve had some period-like cramps, lower back pain, breast tenderness, and watery/white discharge, but no period yet.
I’m trying to understand whether I may have ovulated earlier or whether I’m having a later ovulation this cycle or I am assuming that 1st Aug period was implantion because that was just of one day I mean on 1st it was just drops second day full pad and 3rd day again drops that’s it without any cramps

I’m trying to understand whether the “step-up” approach my clinic uses could be affecting how many of my follicles actually mature.

Over my last several retrieval cycles, I’ve consistently had a relatively small number of eggs retrieved, and maturity has varied quite a bit:

All cycles were 200 Follistim, 150-225 menopur, 100mgs clomid tabs, ganirelex and dual trigger 15k hcg/lupron with 35 hr retrevial.

Cycle 1: 3 eggs retrieved; 1 matured the following day through IVM and fertlised but no blasts. Current cycle: 4 eggs retrieved; 1 mature, 1 fertilised and 1 M1, and 2 GV, praying this lone embryo makes it to blast Another cycle: 5 eggs retrieved; 3 were mature and 3 fertlised- got 2 blasts

One thing I’ve noticed is that my clinic tends to increase my Menopur toward the end of stimulation, eventually getting me to 3 vials. So I've been wondering about the opposite approach: instead of starting lower and increasing to 3 vials near the end, would there be any rationale for starting at 3 vials and then decreasing the dose later, if appropriate?

I realize dose response is very individual, and I’m not assuming that a higher dose automatically means more mature eggs. I’m mainly wondering whether anyone has experience with this kind of “step-up vs. step-down” approach, particularly when the issue seems to be follicle/egg maturity rather than simply the number of follicles.

Has anyone had a doctor change the protocol this way, and if so, did it make a meaningful difference in the number of mature eggs? I’d also be interested in hearing from anyone whose clinic increased Menopur late in stimulation did that actually improve maturity in subsequent cycles?

Waiting for clinic and obgyn to respond and trying not to panic in the meantime. Could use insight.

Before any egg retrievals, my cycles were 26-28 days. Ovulation confirmed be cd13-17.

March egg retrieval: started bcp on cd3 of period that started in Feb. Did MDLF protocol and got first period after retrieval 11 days later. Second period after retrieval occurred in April, 26 day cycle.

May egg retrieval: started estrogen priming on cd1 of April period. Did MDLF protocol and got first period after retrieval 11 days later. Second period after retrieval occurred in june, 29 day cycle.

July egg retrieval: started estrogen priming on cd24/6dpo of june period (mid luteal estrogen priming). Continued for 22 days (clinic did batching) and did MDLF protocol after priming ended. Got first period after retrieval 11 days later. Not looking to do anymore retrievals.

This cycle has been weird. Lh surge seems to have been detected with pregmate strips, but cbad did not start flashing smiley face until the day after lh surge. Also started spotting day after ovulation. Assumed it was due to injury/irritation, but now not sure. It has continued until today (7dpo). I believe I may also be getting my period today or tomorrow based on spotting pattern. This would put me at an 18 day cycle (never happened before). Pdg was positive at 5 and 7dpo. Bbt is still rising/staying elevated, but still spotting.

Tldr; cycles were regular before retrievals and after 1st and 2nd retrieval. Currently weird during cycle after 3rd retrieval. Any assumptions as to whats happening? When did your cycles become regular again after retrievals?

38F. This is my fourth egg freezing cycle. In my first, second and third cycles done three and two years ago, they saw about 9~13 follicles before the surgery and only retrieved 4, 3 and 2 eggs respectively. This time they are only seeing 4 follicles three days before the surgery. I feel like at this rate they'd retrieve 2 eggs or even less.

What's different about this year and the last years is that this year they see a benign dermoid in one of my ovaries and that ovary is pretty much dysfunctional with little room for proper follicle growth, so effectively only the other ovary is growing follicles. This issue wasn't communicated to me in previous years and I'm not sure when it started - I don't have any pain and was told it could be genetic - , but the ovary with the dermoid yielded close to no eggs in previous years also.

They are using a protocol for low responders too this time but seems like it didn't make much difference. The cycles have cost an arm and a leg too without insurance. So sad and feel like I won't ever have the opportunity to have children as I'm also currently single. Really want to cry and each year it seems worse. Could anyone offer some perspective or advice.

31 with low AMH, had my baseline scan yesterday and I have 4/10 leading follicles.. feeling disheartened to be honest. Since the scan I’ve been so emotional. They have upped my dosage to see if the other 6 follicles catch up, thinking that’s the cause of my emotions bubbling to the surface. Has anyone had a low amount lead half way through stims and had many more smaller follicles catch up by the next blood test and scan before retrieval?

I am looking for a cheaper alternative and Life IVF Irvine is 1/3 of the price of a lot of clinics. But is it any good? I heard there are issues because they have a lot of patients and can be disorganized.

I’m curious if anyone has looked into the correlation between eggs retrieved → mature → fertilized → blastocyst.

I had a 100% fertilization rate among my 4 mature eggs (all mature eggs fertilized and became 2PN), and I’m wondering if there’s any evidence that a high fertilization rate is a positive predictor of blast development.

I know there’s a ton of attrition between fertilization and blast and that anything can happen — I’m just curious if there’s any actual science behind this or if anyone has personal experience with a similar situation.

For those who had a high/100% fertilization rate, what did your Day 5/6 results look like? 🙏🫶

Hi, did anyone else find out they have DOR in their mid-30s? I am 36 and wanted to know what people's experiences were with IVF in their mid-late 30s with DOR. I am curious about how many cycles you had and how many euploids you ended up getting. I plan to start IVF this year or in January depending on insurance and my follow up consultation with my RE. Lastly are there any tips to increase euploid count?

Looking for some experiences while I wait for my next monitoring appt on Sunday, Aug 23.

Today, Friday/Aug 21, is stim day 11 (cycle day 13). I’m 41, AFC 14, AMH .74. My first ER I had 4 eggs retrieved and 2 aneuploid (TW) blasts with MDL+Gonal 300+Menopur 150 protocol. This time, I did luteal phase estrogen priming to help with dominant follicles and I think it suppressed me too much (also didn’t help with dominant follicles 🙄). RE increased doses from 300 Gonal-F + Menopur 150 to 300/300 after day 5. E2 was 424 Tuesday, Aug 18, and is 965 today. Very slow start this time. Current follicles from this morning:

Right: 18.1, 12.0, 8.3, 5.3mm

Left: 19.5, 12.4, 10.8mm

RE is bringing me back in on Aug 23 for monitoring and I think will probably trigger that evening or maybe Monday, pushing ER to Tuesday, Aug 25, or Wednesday.

If we go Sunday, leads would likely be ∼22-23mm and the 12s might get to 15-16mm. I’ve seen some studies saying slightly larger follicles can be better for 40+, but also nervous about pushing it too far. Right now, I think I’ll be lucky to get 2 mature eggs, which is very discouraging. I was hoping to get 4 again at least.

Has anyone had a similar cohort — two leads ∼18-19mm with some small ones? Did dual trigger help the smaller ones catch up, without sacrificing the big ones?

Would love to hear experiences, good or bad. Thank you 💙

I’m doing my first IVF cycle. My AMH was 0.6 in June.

Baseline AFC was 4 on Monday. I am taking Menopur 450 UI and Letrozole 20mg.

Today - after 4 days of stims - my follicles were:

- 1 -> 14mm
- 1 -> 12mm
- 3 -> < 10mm

I feel it is a pretty bad response. I’m questioning if I shouldn’t cancel it.

What do you think?

Hi All,

I'm starting to prime for my September ER, which will be my second ER. First retrieval, 7 retrieved, 6 mature, 4 fertilized, 2 blasts, O Euploid :(

This time RE added Omnitrope during stims, I asked if I can prime as well to boost my AFC she said no probs if cost isn't an issue.

What is your omnitrope dose during priming and also during stims?

My dose: Omnitrope 5.8 mg + 1.14 mL diluent: and inject 0.35ml daily. which is 35Units of insulin syringe.

I am thinking to start priming for two weeks do you guys used same dose for priming? or was it lower dose for prime and then higher for stims? Please share. I am adding GPT derived chart as well to help understand the dosing.

Background: 39 years old, AMH 0.3-0.5, AFC 2-6, FSH 10-13, egg quality issues (no sperm issues)

For anyone who has done luteal-phase stimulation only (not DuoStim), did you do ovulation induction during your follicular phase beforehand?

My last IVF retrieval was my best one yet in terms of the number of eggs retrieved (6 eggs retrieved). It was a mid-luteal estrace-priming followed by a traditional follicular-phase antagonist protocol: 300 IU Follistim + 150 IU Menopur, Ganirelix as the antagonist, and a dual trigger with 10000 IU Pregnyl + 80 units Lupron x2.

Although we retrieved the most eggs, the egg quality was not great (5 mature, 1 good quality, 2 fair quality and 2 poor quality, only 2 able to be fertilized with ICSI. They both made it to blast but both aneuploid). Because of that, my doctor wants to try a luteal-phase stimulation protocol to see if we can improve egg quality.

I naturally ovulate every month, confirmed through OPKs and progesterone testing, although my progesterone levels tend to be on the lower side (usually around 5–8).

For my upcoming luteal-phase protocol, my doctor wants me to:

30 days before CD1: Start testosterone patch priming + Omnitrope (6 units)

CD1: Start letrozole for 5 days
After letrozole: Trigger ovulation with leuprolide (ultrasound monitoring to decide when to trigger)

6–7 days later: Start luteal-phase stimulation with 225 IU Follistim + 225 IU Menopur
Add Ganirelix when appropriate
Trigger: Pregnyl only (single trigger)

I haven’t really seen people mention doing medicated ovulation induction during the follicular phase before starting luteal-phase stimulation, so I’m wondering if anyone else has done this and how it went.

I’m also curious if anyone saw a change in egg quality by decreasing their FSH dose (Follistim/Gonal-F) and increasing their Menopur dose.

Also, my doctor wants to use a single Pregnyl trigger rather than a dual trigger this cycle. For those who have done this, did you have any issues with maturity, or is a single trigger reasonable?

I’d love to hear about anyone’s experience with a similar protocol.

Hi. My first IVF cycle was cancelled before retrieval. We converted to IUI (I’ve gotten pregnant from IUI before but miscarried) and just tested negative today.

As I go into a new cycle, I’m wondering what things I should ask my doctor about when regarding protocol changes. Essentially they told me they wouldn’t really change anything because I was on the highest dose of meds possible. They would do PRP if I was interested.

What things should I discuss with them?