"It may seem weird to you to have this procedure done while you are still bleeding from your menstrual cycle, but don't worry, we do this all the time!"
Actually, what really felt weird and wrong was seeing my RE pull out a condom. Okay, initiation over!
Here are my results from the cd #3 ultrasound:
endometrium measured 3.5 mm
cervix measured 39.8 mm
Right ovary has a volume of 6.7 cc
Left ovary has a volume of 5.6 cc
Antral Follicle Count is 6 on the right, 5 on the left for a total of 11.
Dr A was vague. When I asked if 6 suggested low ovarian function, he said a low count would be 2 or 3. I think he was trying to be positive. He did not say my ovaries looked "juicy" but that everything looked "normal." So I'm not sure how to interpret these measurements or if I should even try. I should get the lab results tomorrow which will help interpret ovarian reserve.
IVF Authority has a blog post written by a guest MD from the SIRM-New York clinic on ovarian reserve indicators. Here is an excerpt that contains information about antral follicle counts:
The antral follicle count or AFC is the number of antral follicles (small egg-containing ovarian cysts) visible by transvaginal ultrasound in the early follicular phase of the cycle. The AFC decreases with age and provides perhaps the best single prognostic indicator for poor response during IVF. A normal AFC for a woman in her twenties to thirties is somewhere in the range of 12 to 16. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often have AFCs greater than 50, and it is therefore not surprising that when challenged with gonadotropin medication their response in terms of egg number can be astronomical.
So I am again on the low side of normal. That seems to be the result of every test I get--borderline (boderline, feel like I'm go-ing to lose my mind...).
I start clomid tonight. IUI #1 in about 12 days!
6 comments:
Another reference for antral follicle counts and predicted success, with charts and graphs, can be found at http://www.advancedfertility.com/antralfollicles.htm
4-6 is considered low.
hi jill... i feel like i've been on the borderline side of normal all throughout these 4 years of trying, and its so frustrating. sounds like we are researching similar things. i hope that your bloodwork comes back good! i'll be watching. let me know if you have any questions. hoping that all you need is a little boost and your dreams will come true.
I like how much info your RE has given you at the beginning of this cycle. Hopefully your response will be good and that will be the perfect number of follies to develop. Good luck.
good luck -- i will have my fingers crossed for you!
I also like the info your RE gives you - very nice! Isn't that initiation with the dildo-cam lovely? I hope this cycle is the trick!!!
My count was 10, so I am borderline as well. Borderline is ok though, I'll accept that. Some women do much more with much less, we aren't in such a bad place. xoxoxox
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