IVF Egg Retrieval Results | How Many Embryos from Our First Retrieval

This video is from our first egg retrieval. We had the egg retrieval in May and had to wait 3 weeks for the PGT-A results. I am so grateful to you all for you support and kind words. This has been a rough journey for our family, but we are hopeful as we move into our second retrieval.
There's a lot of misconceptions about IVF and I hope this offers perspective on the journey and the potential outcomes.
Let's hangout!
Website: drbrighten.com/
Instagram: / drjolenebrighten
Tiktok: / drjolenebrighten
#ivfjourney #ivfgotthis #ivf #fertilityjourney #fertilitytreatment

[@SarahKleinerWellness]

Big hugs ❤️❤️❤️. I had 2 retrievals (after multiple losses) & got no embryos. It was almost harder than the losses. I was able to get pregnant naturally 2 months after my 2nd failed round and had my son at age 43. He’s nine months now & perfection ❤️. Praying for you to hold your baby soon.❤

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

This is beautiful. I’m so happy to hear this.

[@rachelmurphy7145]

What you said @13:00 - “everything I’m doing is not for nothing. There’s still health and longevity at the end of this”. That’s exactly the mindset shift that helped me to release the pressure of ttc and allowed me to focus on my health for me and not just for a baby. It’s a wonderful line of thought. And it helped me through a dark time too

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you for sharing this with me. There’s really so much benefit to these nutrition and lifestyle changes. I think shifting the dialogue to be focused on how you’re caring for yourself can be so empowering. ♥️

[@1985temperance]

Thank you so much for sharing! I watched this before my first egg retrieval and it helped keeping my expectations realistic. I'm 38 and while my reserve looks good, we only got 4 mature eggs. 😢 I'm sad but it helps to know that this is not so uncommon. Stay strong, ladies. ❤️

[@ashleymews]

I really cannot express my gratitude for you sharing this journey. The end of this particular video hit hard because I do feel so isolated. It was a good reminder that we don't all get to "decide we want more kids" and it happens right away. Wishing you all the best on your second retrieval.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you so much. And I wish you the best on your journey.

[@amani9797]

So much love your way Dr. Jolene. I had my egg retrieval in April and developed OHSS. I'm still recovering. I felt defeated and your message today reminded me it's not all for nothing, so thank you ❤

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

It’s not! And I’m so sorry to hear about OHSS. There’s some people who have hormone receptors that make them more susceptible to this. It’s genetic. And we don’t know who it will be. Keep supporting your body. You may find this time off of IVF is what you needed.

[@hannahjayne4097]

Sending you so much love. Sharing something so deeply personal takes so much courage. I see you. This video really gave me a peek inside the IVF world, and the strength and tenacity it takes to go through this. You are amazing. Thank you again. And I’m sending all the positive vibes from Wales. Much love xx

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you for this kind comment. It means a lot.

[@michellep3985]

Starting my 6th round this week. I feel everything you said so deeply! I have been following you for years and using your tips and advice and I’m so thankful to have you as a resource. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

You got this! Sending you big love 🫶🏽

[@lovely1_mama]

Ugh. Your hearts have been through so much this year, I’m so sorry. I was so glad to hear you advocating for being gentle with oneself. Praying the next round will bring better outcomes. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you for your comment and for being here. ♥️

[@user-op6bi9ir8m]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. The hard days are FREAKING HARD but it helps to know there is hope and other people with similar stories on the other side. ❣️

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

It’s so important to know we’re not alone.

[@hopeokeke3045]

Praying for God’s mercies to all women who are desiring children and family expansion.Thanks for taking us along on your journey. Blessings.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thanks for being here

[@amandaleigh218]

I can’t tell you how much I needed the end of this video. It can feel so lonely and like no one understands in my direct friend circle. Thank you for sharing this private hard journey with all of us to encourage us. I’m 40 tried for 2 years had a miscarriage and now looking at next steps I swore I wasn’t interested in. Life sure is crazy. And this is so out of our control on many levels

[@kerryread7007]

This is such a positive and thoughtful message at what must be a difficult time. Keeping everything crossed for your success. ❤

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you being here. 🫶🏽

[@jonahbagonias6270]

Thank you so much for sharing such a personal journey. I am so hopeful for you! You so deserve this! you help so many woman everyday with all the knowledge you freely share. Praying that the Lord will bless you with more children!!!

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you.

[@pattikramer2293]

Praying for you all for the best possible outcome 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

I appreciate it.

[@shellyonstage]

Thank you for sharing your honest story. I'm praying you get your healthy embryo. Have you read Spirit Baby? It might be helpful to start communicating with your daughter now to help her come down into her body. 😍 I've been through 9 rounds of IVF, also did all the things but case, older, so chose not to grow to blast. I got 10 Day 3 embryos and have 8 left to try with. I stay hopeful, spirituality helps. If it's meant to be it will be, no matter what. Miracles happen every day. I'm hoping for my one! Fingers crossed for you!!

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendations. I'm talking to my ovaries and little baby spirits daily. I'm wishing you so much joy on this journey and sending you lots of love.

[@sarahadams4204]

I'm so sorry to hear that. This is exactly what happened to us. Every time I had a great no of eggs but i can't make it past 6 weeks. Our 4th round of ivf we also had pgs testing and despite them being excellent quality embryos, all 4 were chromosomally abnormal. We were devastated. We've since gone through 2 more rounds, this time with donor eggs, no pgs testing as the donor is 23 with her own child but still we get to 6 weeks and it's a missed miscarriage. I think our final option is double donation. It's so hard to get our heads around but we want a family so much. Sending you love on this difficult journey

[@sarahadams4204]

I should also menfolk I'm now 45 and I'm a Nutritional Therapist and Naturopath myself, so I'm also doing so the things I eat organic, gf, df, sugar free, non toxic everything, I've a had every conceivable test from mycotoxins, stool test, genetic tests. DUTCH test, thyroid tests (I'm hypothyroid), Alice and Ema tests, Reproductive Immunology NK tests and more that I've probably forgotten. We've spent thousands and thousands. It's just unbelievable

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

@@sarahadams4204 This is so very difficult of a journey and I'm so sorry yours has been hard on your heart. All of these embryos looked perfect. Their genetics, however, did not.

[@harprietkaur7895]

I needed to hear this 🥺, 100% feel your pain, started IVF in November only got 3 fertilised eggs, of which only 1was PGTA normal, but failed to implant in my uterus 2 weeks on and I’m still mourning 😔, I did everything I could possibly do.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

My heart aches for you. You hold out so much hope and when implantation fails it is so unimaginably hard.

[@tiffanylocus251]

Sending you love and well wishes

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

Thank you ❤

[@kellymurphy2258]

I know donor egg isn’t for everyone and it’s a big decision but I have 3 sons already and after another 3 losses after age 40 of tested abnormal boys, I did one round of donor eggs and got 5 boys and 3 girls waiting for me.

[@DrJoleneBrighten]

I love that this option is available for your family!