Hi,
I don't post very much, but I've lurked on this site for years. Recently I had only 1 embryo to transfer on day 3 and it was only a 4 cell (although no fragmentation). Despite being told to cancel throughout the cycle, and my LH surging, I asked to continue on to retrieval and transfer. I've just gotten my two betas:
15 dpo 106
17 dpo 338
My questions:
Are tripling betas indicative of anything bad, is it better that they just double?
Are 4 cell embryos more likely to have problems later on (higher risk for miscarriage, downs etc.)?
I'm sorry if this seems negative. I'm just in shock and want to be fully prepared for what might happen.
And no tripling betas are not bad it is when they are not doubling when there could be a problem. I had tripling betas but am pregnant with twins so you never know. That embie could have split into identicals!
That is wonderful! As far as I've been told, the concern with an embie with less than 6 cells is that it's less likely to create a pg, but once it does, I don't think there are additional risks. Those are great betas! Wishing you a happy and healthy 9mos.
Tripling betas are great! My only succesful pregnancy had betas that were tripling.
As for 4 cells, they are not more likely to miscarry. The cell number and fragmentation only tell you the likelihood that the embryo will implant, but does not tell you the chromosomal makeup of the embryo. So, once you have implantation and good betas, you should be good.
Congrats. Good beta numbers! If you don't mind, could you give a few more details? What clinic are you at? What protocol did you use and what is the age? This kind of info really helps others who are still TTC. Thanks!
I've never heard anything negative at all about a tripling beta. Sounds really good to me. I have also never heard anything negative about a pregnancy starting as a 4 cell embryo. I think the concern is more whether it will work to turn into a pregnancy. But with your great beta numbers it all sounds good. Congratulations!
There is also the "Pregnant Despite High FSH" board which will be very helpful for you!
(This board is amazing and wonderful but most of the ladies here have not yet had their babies, though some have other children.)
I'll definitely post there too if things continue. I'll also (of course) post with any outcome. I have RARELY seen anyone with a live birth with only 1 4 cell, on any board, so I'll let you all know regardless of the outcome. I would want to know, too! I'll post in a little bit my protocol, history, etc. if that's helpful to Alima and others. It's still very early, but I guess at least I got this far! Thanks everyone for the info and for responding.
Thanks for posting. I had a 4 cell transferred and I could not get over it, I was so depressed and I didn't get pregnant. I know there was one a long time ago, but to hear of another is so hopeful and promising, and gives me hope!!! THANK YOU for posting and happy and healthy 9 mos!!!!!!!!!!!
My info if it's helpful to anyone -- sorry so long and MC and PG mentioned
March 15 2012, 5:12 PM
I am 37. Right now I am cycling at Bos.ton IVF (because they are nearer to my house) but unfortunately I can't say anything good about them. I am doing the estrogen priming protocol high stims although, I never really got very far in the stim cycles. This was my second cycle there, the first one I was converted to IUI for LH surge and poor response. This last one, my LH surged again, and again they told me to convert to IUI. I have a history with IVF (see below) so I said no, I have 3 follicles, we are doing a retrieval, and you are doing ICSI if you get any eggs. (With my insurance, as soon as I start my stims that counts as a cycle, so my logic is to do everything I can per cycle). So they humored me basically and did a "blind" retrieval. They retrieved 3 eggs and only 1 was mature. They did ICSI on it and AH. AT day 3 it was only 4 cells. And here I am.
I should also say in case anyone is interested, my infertility stems from the fact that in my early 20s I had dermoid tumors on both ovaries removed, reducing the size of my ovaries. I had them again, on both ovaries at 30. I was left with a pea sized ovary on the right (every u/s I have to push on it 500 times so they can see it!), and a very small ovary on the left. At 30 my FSH was 22, and it's been there consistently. I was told even with the most aggressive IVF and fertility treatments, I would have less than a 5% chance of a live birth. At 33, after 3 rounds of IVF at the Brigh.am and Womens, (1 Miscarriage of a 6 cell and 4 cell) I had a successful cycle (transferred 2 8 cells and 1 6 cell), and had a child. I did the high stim EPP protocol (the exact same one they were doing at Cornell). I never had great numbers, but I did respond, unlike now (we have been trying what worked in the past as a logical starting point).
This last time, my pea sized ovary produced the egg and in all my IVFs I've never gotten ANYTHING from that ovary, let alone a pregnancy. I'm still in shock and for some reason, I worry about the starting point of 4 cells -- that somehow it's of greater risk for developmental problems. I'll let everyone know however it turns out. I hope this is helpful and not annoying!
I also cycled at B.righam before they kicked me out. My last cycle with them we transferred a 1 and 2 cell on a 2dt and one of the nurses kept telling me stories about a few people that got pg on a 2 cell on 2dt. I am happy to hear your 4 cell kept going and hope it is for the long haul. Miracles happen.
That's horrible that they kicked you out. I hate hearing that kind of thing, and it makes me so worried, because now at 37, I'm not responding like THEY would like me too. I will say at the Br.igham at least they act positive, unlike where I am now. With my succesful cycle at the Brig.ham, I stimmed for 20 DAYS, and they didn't say boo. They told me about others who stimmed for 24 and told me to just hang in there. Where I am now, I doubt they'd let me stim that long without some arguing on my part. The only thing I've learned is to advocate for yourself, and that the women on these boards have taught me more and probably know more than any doctor!