We used donor eggs. 19 were retrieved, 17 were mature and were fertilized. We ended up with 15 embryos. 10 made it to blastocyst stage. We froze them. Transferred 2 - nothing. Transferred 2 again - nothing. Transferred 2 again - twins! We have 4 embryos left. We were at CFA.

Out of 9 eggs retrieved, 8 were mature but only 3 fertilized. I was devastated. They even seemed stop dividing after 2-cell stage because there was no change between day 1 report and day 2 report. I was so sure my transfer would be canceled. But 2 of them became 7-cell and 6-cell on day 3 and one of them took! I'm almost 12 weeks.

I had six eggs. Six fertilized. Six made it to day five. My doctor was super surprised, shocked even at those numbers. However all six had massive genetic deformities that were incompatible with life. All this is to say that absence of a drop off does not equal good news, in and of itself. As long as you've got that one healthy guy in there, you're in business! Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I just did my egg retrieval yesterday and was pleased when they had 7 mature eggs, with a possibility of an 8th. Now, on day 1, I just received the call that only 4 fertilized normally. I'm worried about this drop off rate. Can anyone provide any insight or encouragement? I know it only takes one, but I was really truly hoping for more, especially when they retrieved 7 mature eggs (out of 9 follicles retrieved).

OP, your numbers are mine exactly. 9 follicles, 7 mature, 4 fertilized via ICSI. By day 3 we had three good looking embryos, a fourth one didn't look as good but was still growing. They transferred the three good ones. No. 4 didn't make it to blast. I'm now approaching my third trimester with twins. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only had 7 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilized. Only two embryos made it day 3: 5 cell and 7 cell. Implanted both. They are now 2 years old! Good luck!

PP, where did you do your IVF? I'm at CFA.

My IVF was at Shady Grove. It was my first IVF after 6 unsuccessful Clomid-GonalF IUIs. I was 37 at the time; PCOS.

Anonymous wrote:I only had 7 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilized. Only two embryos made it day 3: 5 cell and 7 cell. Implanted both. They are now 2 years old! Good luck!

PP, where did you do your IVF? I'm at CFA.

I only had 7 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilized. Only two embryos made it day 3: 5 cell and 7 cell. Implanted both. They are now 2 years old! Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:There is in fact a strong correlation between the number of eggs retrieved and pregnancy.

Does this poster mean that the higher number of eggs retrieved indicates a better chance of pregnancy? If so, thanks for the oh-so-uplifting note to my original desperate posting...

There is in fact a strong correlation between the number of eggs retrieved and pregnancy.

I was told 50% was good. Also, there is NO correlation between high number of eggs and high quality. it was very hard for me accept that. I had 6 eggs, 5 fertilized (which dr said was unusually good), transferred 2 and one worked. the remaining three never made it to freezing. So out of 6, I got the ONE that was just right for us. Currently 23 weeks now. Good luck to you! (my husband and I also decided that if we ever do IVF again it will natural cycle. It just seems that no matter the drugs, your body is going to produce a limited number of GOOD eggs anyway...I coudl get that naturally).

They like to see 50% or better - so that isn't bad at all.

OP here, yes I did ICSI.

did you use ICSI?

50% is a good number. It is actually a percentage they look for. I had 15 eggs retrieved and only 3 fertilized. I know you have probably heard this before, but it only takes one good one! Best of luck to you!

I just did my egg retrieval yesterday and was pleased when they had 7 mature eggs, with a possibility of an 8th. Now, on day 1, I just received the call that only 4 fertilized normally. I'm worried about this drop off rate. Can anyone provide any insight or encouragement? I know it only takes one, but I was really truly hoping for more, especially when they retrieved 7 mature eggs (out of 9 follicles retrieved).