u/Soccergirl-

Hi everyone 🩷Just finished retrieval #2 and it’s looking a lot like our very disappointing first cycle.

We are waiting on our final Day 7 results today. So far we have one Day 6 4BC frozen. My doctor said she’s hoping we may get at least one more today.

I’m very grateful to have one, but this is our second retrieval with extremely low blast rates despite great maturity/fertilization, so it’s becoming clear the first cycle probably wasn’t just a fluke.

About us:
Me: newly 34 (started this last retrieval on my bday, what a joke lol) Type 1 diabetic for 22 years; A1C is \~6.0, hypothyroidism, TSH <1

Husband: 36, great sperm parameters/no DNA fragmentation

We live in SF CA and I’m at RMA in SF and have had a good experience there.

We only tried naturally for 4 months before IVF. Our first retrieval was originally intended to bank embryos because I’m incredibly fortunate to have coverage for up to 6 retrievals. After the disappointing results of #1, we went for #2 and I’m starting to feel like we may really need to keep doing this.

Retrieval #1 — May/June
17 eggs → 17 mature → 15 fertilized → **2 blasts (Day 6 4AB + Day 7 4BB) → 1 euploid

Protocol: 300 Gonal-F, 2 vials Menopur, Cetrotide, dual trigger, ICSI.

Most of the embryos arrested very early around the 3–6 cell stage. My doctors noted that some of my eggs appeared unusually “fragile”/structurally abnormal and suspect egg quality. One possibility they’ve raised is my long history of T1D despite it being very well controlled.

**Retrieval #2 — July/August**
29 eggs → 29 mature → 23 fertilized → 1 Day 6 4BC so far, waiting on Day 7

We made a lot of changes: estrogen priming, Omnitrope, Gonal-F reduced to 150, Menopur 2 vials, Cetrotide, dual trigger, ICSI + Zymot.

I was cautiously optimistic that we’d see improvement this time, especially with 23 fertilized eggs, so potentially ending up with only 1–2 blasts again is pretty devastating.

Where I’m at
I think I need a break from IVF after this. My husband and I are considering trying naturally for a while. The complication is that I have recurring uterine polyps — I’ve already had two hysteroscopies and they saw another polyp during this retrieval — so I’m wondering if I should just get it removed before we try. But feels like they keep coming back.

My RE keeps reminding me that you can’t necessarily extrapolate IVF outcomes to natural conception. She describes my eggs as “fragile” and has pointed out that IVF itself isn’t exactly a gentle process. She said there are people who have terrible IVF outcomes and conceive naturally and people who make beautiful embryos through IVF but can’t get pregnant.

I’m trying to hold onto that, but it’s hard not to feel like my body keeps failing me. Between T1D, hypothyroidism and now egg-quality issues, I’ve started spiraling into worrying that even the embryos we do make won’t implant — even though I know our retrieval results don’t actually tell us that. I just feel so sad and I can’t help but feeling bad for my husband. Even though he tells me that’s ridiculous.

My husband keeps telling me we’re just at the start, but it feels like even IVF might not work for us. I’m having a hard time seeing the light and I don’t know how people continue to deal with this heartbreak. I lost my mom to a glioblastoma when I was 22 and took care of her for the whole year she was sick. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. Not having her to go through this with, has been so incredibly brutal.

I think I just need some hope today.

Has anyone here had really poor IVF outcomes and then conceived naturally?

Any T1Ds with egg quality issues had success?

And if you’ve dealt with recurring polyps, would you remove the polyp before spending a few months trying naturally? I know we’d need to remove before a FET, but we’re not there yet.

Any other words of wisdom?

Feeling pretty damn defeated today and would really love to hear from people who’ve been in a similar place. 🩷

I am about to start my second IVF retrieval and could really use some positive stories so the anxiety doesn’t take over 🙃

For context:

- I am 34 with an AMH around 4 and an AFC that has consistently been in the low-to-mid 20s (this cycle it was actually 31).
- My husband has excellent sperm parameters.
- My first retrieval (2 cycles ago) resulted in 17 mature eggs and 15 normally fertilized.
- Unfortunately, almost all of them arrested very early (mostly around the 3–6 cell stage) as soon as they were fertilized
- We ended up with only two blastocysts: one Day 6 euploid and one Day 7 aneuploid.
- I am very lucky with work benefits that will cover up to 6 retrievals
- We originally did this to utilize the work benefits and bank embryos after only 3 months of trying, but now feeling like there is a serious issue so doing another retrieval

My RE noted an egg quality issues. During retrieval she also noted that about a third of my eggs appeared structurally fragile. I also have type 1 diabetes (A1C ~6) and have been diabetic for 22 years which she thinks may be contributing to the “fragile eggs”.

We took 1 cycle off and are attempting again. For this cycle we’re making several protocol changes:
- Estrogen priming
-Omnitrope
-Lower stimulation doses
-Zymot for sperm selection
- Continuing supplements (CoQ10, etc.)

I’m very grateful for our one embryo and I am trying to stay hopeful, but after watching so many embryos arrest, I’m honestly terrified of going through the same thing again.

I’d love to hear from anyone who had a poor first retrieval with significant embryo arrest or poor blast rates and with protocol changes for a second cycle saw better embryo development or better overall results.

Thank you 🩷could use some encouragement

Hi all, I am looking for encouragement.

I have posted before but just went though our first IVF cycle, originally done for preservation and now feeling like there may be some serious issues .

For context: about to turn 34, T1D since I was 12, A1C ranged from around 7-8 for most of my diabetic life, and then in more recent years 6-6.5.

First egg retrieval:

\\-17 eggs, all mature

\\-15 fertilized

\\-2 made it to blast, a day 6 and day 7 (1 genetically normal, 1 inconclusive and being retested)

Doctor noted egg quality issues and that 1/3 of my eggs looked structurally abnormal and almost all (but 3) stopped developing after day 2. She said that I may have “fragile” eggs from having long-term T1D.

She made me feel a bit better and said that IVF is a very unnatural process that is hard on eggs (unlike your body’s natural way of ovulating only one egg a month). That if we do another cycle, they would do a more gentle medication protocol that would be less stress on the eggs.

However, she said that the fragility of my eggs may not change because of having long-term diabetes. Meaning the changes (addressing insulin resistance, focusing on health, supplements) I make over the next several months might not make a difference because the damage is already done.

I went into this feeling hopeful and now I feel scared and like natural conception or even future IVF cycles might be very challenging.

I need some encouragement because right now I just feel so sad.

Hi all, I am looking for encouragement.

I have posted before but just went though our first IVF cycle, originally done for preservation and now feeling like there may be some serious issues .

For context: about to turn 34, T1D since I was 12, A1C ranged from around 7-8 for most of my diabetic life, and then in more recent years 6-6.5.

First egg retrieval:

\\-17 eggs, all mature

\\-15 fertilized

\\-2 made it to blast, a day 6 and day 7 (1 genetically normal, 1 inconclusive and being retested)

Doctor noted egg quality issues and that 1/3 of my eggs looked structurally abnormal and almost all (but 3) stopped developing after day 2. She said that I may have “fragile” eggs from having long-term T1D.

She made me feel a bit better and said that IVF is a very unnatural process that is hard on eggs (unlike your body’s natural way of ovulating only one egg a month). That if we do another cycle, they would do a more gentle medication protocol that would be less stress on the eggs.

However, she said that the fragility of my eggs may not change because of having long-term diabetes. Meaning the changes (addressing insulin resistance, focusing on health, supplements) I make over the next several months might not make a difference because the damage is already done.

I went into this feeling hopeful and now I feel scared and like natural conception or even future IVF cycles might be very challenging.

I need some encouragement because right now I just feel so sad.

Hi all,

I am almost 34, a type one diabetic of 22 years, A1C of 6.5 for the last 1.5 years, 160 pounds and 5’2. I struggle with insulin resistance, take 100 units + a day of insulin and am on metformin.

My husband and I just did our first retrieval to make embryos. We just started trying to conceive a few months ago. What started as a “let’s create embryos for the future since my work benefits pay for it” has now turned into defeat, fear and sadness. Out of 17 eggs collected, 15 fertilized, only 2 made it to blast, a day 6 and day 7. They are being sent off to genetic testing and I’m riddled with anxiety about the outcome.

When the doctor called to give our results, he said this suggests egg quality issues and mentioned my diabetes as a factor. I have read that insulin resistance can mess with the development of eggs/hormonal environment. On top of this, I’ve been dealing with frozen shoulder, and recurrent polyps both of which I’m being told can be caused by diabetes.

Continuing to hear that it’s a reason for all these issues, and now my egg quality too is killing me. I feel so helpless, sad and scared that these 2 embryos are not going to make it and now I’m riddled with anxiety for our future ttc journey.

I spoke to my endo who is going to prescribe me monjaro to help with insulin resistance and I’m going to start some egg quality supplements. The doctor made it sound like some protocol adjustments might help another cycle, and sometimes you just get a bad batch of eggs and sperm and are unlucky.

I can’t help but feel like my body keeps failing me and I’m walking around with rotten eggs and I just feel so sad. I am looking for some encouragement from others who have had similar experiences.

Thank you 🩷

Hi all,

I am almost 34, a type one diabetic of 22 years, A1C of 6.5 for the last 1.5 years, 160 pounds and 5’2. I struggle with insulin resistance, take 100 units + a day of insulin and am on metformin.

My husband and I just did our first retrieval to make embryos. We just started trying to conceive a few months ago. What started as a “let’s create embryos for the future since my work benefits pay for it” has now turned into defeat, fear and sadness. Out of 17 eggs collected, 15 fertilized, only 2 made it to blast, a day 6 and day 7. They are being sent off to genetic testing and I’m riddled with anxiety about the outcome.

When the doctor called to give our results, he said this suggests egg quality issues and mentioned my diabetes as a factor. I have read that insulin resistance can mess with the development of eggs/hormonal environment. On top of this, I’ve been dealing with frozen shoulder, and recurrent polyps both of which I’m being told can be caused by diabetes.

Continuing to hear that it’s a reason for all these issues, and now my egg quality too is killing me. I feel so helpless, sad and scared that these 2 embryos are not going to make it and now I’m riddled with anxiety for our future ttc journey.

I spoke to my endo who is going to prescribe me monjaro to help with insulin resistance and I’m going to start some egg quality supplements. The doctor made it sound like some protocol adjustments might help another cycle, and sometimes you just get a bad batch of eggs and sperm and are unlucky. We plan to do another retrieval but I can’t decide when.

I can’t help but feel like my body keeps failing me and I’m walking around with rotten eggs and I just feel so sad. I am looking for some encouragement from others who have had similar experiences.

Thank you 🩷

I did an egg retrieval this month and got 17 eggs, all mature. 15 fertilized. Only 2 made it to blasts - day 6 and 7. They said this suggests egg quality issues and they suggest doing another retrieval. I am 33 turning 34 in a month and I feel devastated.

I’m a type one diabetic, 5’2 and 160 pounds so I’m overweight and have been T1D for 19 years. I can’t help but feel like diabetes and insulin resistance caused this and I haven’t been able to stop crying.

I am wondering if anyone else has gone through IVF, had similar outcomes and had a better experience the next time?

I did an egg retrieval this month and got 17 eggs, all mature. 15 fertilized. Only 2 blasts - day 6 and 7. They said this suggests egg quality issues and they suggest doing another retrieval. I am 33 turning 34 in a month and I just feel really sad. I’m 5’2 and 160 pounds so I’m overweight and have been T1D for 19 years. I can’t help but feel like diabetes and insulin resistance caused this and I haven’t been able to stop crying.

I am wondering if anyone else has gone through IVF, had similar outcomes and had a better experience the next time?

Hi all - I just completed an egg retrieval cycle and my husband and I are making frozen embryos. We retrieved 17 eggs, 15 of which were fertilized and are currently developing - we will find out this weekend how many made it to blastocysts. I have a lot of anxiety about my egg quality and the effect on the embryo development. I definitely have pretty significant insulin resistance, and am overweight, and I’ve read that that can affect quality.

Looking for reassurance from anyone who’s done IVF and had good outcomes?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some encouragement and would love to hear from others who have dealt with endometrial polyps.

I’m 33 and have had T1D for over 20 years. My A1C has been around 6.0–6.5 for the past year and a half. My husband and I started trying to conceive earlier this year. Before we started trying, I had two hysteroscopies to remove a uterine polyp and a small fibroid, and everything looked great afterward.

Fast forward to now: I’m in the middle of an IVF egg-freezing/embryo-freezing cycle, and at today’s monitoring appointment my doctor saw another endometrial polyp measuring about 6 x 4 mm. He recommended either removing it with my next period or trying naturally for up to three months and then removing it if I’m not pregnant.

If I choose to remove it, that would mean three hysteroscopies and four gynecologic procedures in less than six months, which feels overwhelming.

He also mentioned that women with diabetes are at higher risk for developing polyps. Now I’m wondering: am I supposed to keep monitoring for these forever? How do you know if they’re there if you’re not actively being scanned? I can’t help worrying about what this means for my fertility and future pregnancy chances.

On top of that, I’ve recently been dealing with frozen shoulder, which I’ve learned can be associated with diabetes. It’s been frustrating to feel like even when I work hard to manage my health, diabetes continues to affect different parts of my life. Between fertility challenges, recurrent polyps, and now frozen shoulder, I’m feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by how much this disease seems to take from me.

Has anyone else experienced recurrent endometrial polyps?

Were you able to get pregnant naturally with them? Or after having them removed?

If you had a small polyp (under 1 cm), did your doctor recommend removing it before trying to conceive?

I know no one can tell me what decision to make, but I’d love to hear others’ experiences. Right now I’m mostly looking for reassurance. It’s been a long road of trying to do everything “right,” and hearing that there may be another polyp today was pretty heartbreaking.

Thank you for sharing any experiences or encouragement. ❤️

I’m gearing up for an egg retrieval cycle and went in this morning for my baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3. They counted 14 AFC, which was a surprise because last month my AFC was 23. I’m going back tomorrow for a re-check because the doctor said counts can vary a bit and sometimes follicles are missed early in the cycle, but right now they’re recommending we hold off this month.

The hard part is that timing these retrievals has been really difficult. This month actually worked really well logistically, but I’ll be traveling for most of June and won’t be back until mid-July, so if we skip this cycle the next opportunity probably wouldn’t be until August.

Part of why this feels stressful is that my husband and I are actively trying to conceive naturally right now. The retrieval is more of an insurance policy for later while I still have fertility benefits through work (and honestly because I think layoffs could be a possibility in the future, so I don’t want to lose the opportunity).

For people who’ve done retrievals: would you delay over numbers like this? I know AFC can fluctuate month to month, but a drop from 23 to 14 feels pretty significant and I’m struggling with whether it’s worth postponing when the timing this month is otherwise ideal.

Also curious for anyone who delayed a cycle: did you continue trying naturally in the meantime, or did your clinic recommend against conceiving while waiting for another retrieval cycle?

Hi everyone,

I’m 33 and have had type 1 diabetes for 21 years. My husband and I recently started trying to conceive (we’re about 2 months in), but I’ve been feeling really anxious that diabetes might make it harder for me to get pregnant.

My A1C has been pretty well controlled overall—ranging from 6.1 to 6.6 over the past year, and most recently 6.5 (and trending down).

I work in tech and currently have strong fertility benefits, but given how uncertain things feel job-wise, we’re planning to create and freeze embryos this cycle as a bit of an insurance policy. To be clear, I realize we’re only 2 cycles into trying to- this is more so for peace of mind down the line. Hopefully we do get pregnant naturally and then maybe we won’t feel in such a rush to have a second baby knowing we have some embryos.

I think my biggest fear is around egg/embryo quality—I keep worrying that my eggs might be “worse” because of diabetes. I’d love to hear from anyone with T1D who has gone through IVF or embryo freezing—especially if you’ve had positive outcomes.

Appreciate any experiences or perspective. Thank you 💛