There's no test for egg quality. The only way to know if an egg is chromosomally normal is to attempt to fertilize it, and, if fertilization is successful, to perform a genetic test on the embryo.
The AMH blood test has become more common in the past 15 years, but another way to determine a woman's ovarian reserve is to conduct an antral follicle count during a transvaginal ultrasound. This method, which entails counting the follicles seen on the screen, is also useful, along with AMH, explains Amanda N.
Most immature oocytes undergo nuclear maturation spontaneously within 24 hours after oocyte retrieval and reach the final stage of nuclear maturation, metaphase II [11]. This process of spontaneous in vitro maturation (IVM) can take place rapidly.
The peak effect of your medications happens approximately 7-10 days after the procedure. After that time, the ovaries will slowly reduce in size and return to normal following your next menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle will resume approximately 14 days after the egg retrieval.
Are you fertile after egg retrieval? Yes. Egg retrieval doesn't affect your future fertility. So, many women donate eggs before having children of their own, later on.
Expect abdominal cramping and bloating for up to a week after your retrieval. The severity of symptoms can vary greatly between patients. It may take a couple weeks for your ovaries to return to normal size. If bloating and discomfort increases over the 7-10 days after your retrieval, let your nurse coordinator know.
Generally, 70 to 80 percent of the eggs retrieved will fertilize. The average may be lower if sperm or egg quality is a known problem. Some attrition at this stage is normal and expected.
But first, your doctor will likely want to confirm if your eggs are immature by testing your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level and your anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) level, which reflects your ovarian reserve.
Fascinating research examining the link between live birth rates and the number of eggs retrieved in one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle indicate that 15 may be the “magic number” to collect for the most successful outcomes.
CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to improve egg quality, sperm quality, and pregnancy rates. Sperm and eggs both take about 90 days to develop. For best results, fertility specialists recommend taking CoQ10 and other fertility supplements for 90+ days if possible.
Egg quality and quantity also decline in a woman's 30s and 40s. While the total number of eggs cannot be increased, research has shown that egg quality can be improved. Supplements containing Myo-inositol, folic acid and melatonin have been shown to help improve egg quality and ovarian function.
In addition to its well-established role in neural tube defect prevention, research suggests folate plays an important role in promoting egg quality, maturation and implantation.
Although female fertility declines with advancing age, it is difficult to predict the overall rate of reproductive decline. The quality of a woman's eggs is highest in her mid 20s through her early 30s, representing the most fertile period in her life.
The only way to preserve your egg quality and fertility is through cryopreservation (freezing). Cryopreservation, such as egg freezing, is the only technique that currently exists to extend your fertility.
An IVF cycle can be unsuccessful even with good numbers of eggs (and embryos) if egg quality is poor. Egg quality reflects about 95% of the final quality of an embryo. Poor egg quality, therefore, always leads to poor embryo quality.
Remember that an egg takes 90 days to mature before ovulation, which means that it can take three months for you to increase egg quality. It also takes time to balance hormones to improve symptoms of PCOS, irregular periods, and endometriosis.
Studies show that women in their 20s and 30s have the most success when getting pregnant through IVF and other reproductive technologies. According to the CDC, the average percentages of assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles that lead to a live birth are: 31% in women younger than 35 years of age.
Overall, IVF success rates are only slightly lower for second attempts as compared to first IVF tries.
For women with 1–4 eggs at retrieval it was 30.8% and for 5–9 eggs it was 36.2%. In women age 35–39 (n=543), optimal pregnancy rates (34.8%) were achieved with 5–9 eggs at retrieval. Less than 5 eggs significantly reduced the pregnancy rate (15.6%) whereas more than 10 eggs yielded pregnancy rates between 28 and 29%.
Hygiene: Avoid tampons, vaginal douches, tub baths (showers are fine), and/or swimming for 7 days following your egg retrieval. Avoid hot tubs, hot baths, and saunas until you see your obstetrician. Sexual Relations: Sexual intercourse may be uncomfortable following your egg retrieval.
Also, it is better to avoid having the following foods before and after egg retrieval surgery: Inflammatory foods include sugar, refined carbohydrates, fried foods, processed foods, and red meat.
On the day after your retrieval, it is important to protect your ovaries: – Do not do any heavy exercise or high-impact activities such as running. – You may walk or do other light activities that you usually do. For 2 weeks after your retrieval, do not have sexual intercourse.