Fertility Files – Real Cases of Infertility Challenges

From One Egg to One Embryo to One Pregnancy

Severe endometriosis. Poor ovarian reserve. Multiple failed IVF cycles. And then, just one egg. After 5 years of trying, repeated failures, and even cycles where no eggs could be retrieved, hope felt fragile. Because when numbers drop this low, every attempt carries enormous weight. But sometimes, success doesn’t come from many chances. It comes from making one chance count. Today, she is on her way to becoming a mother, carrying a pregnancy that began with a single embryo.

- Birla Fertility & IVF, Thrissur, (Dr. Venugopal)

Case Snapshot

Patient AgeFemale: 33 years

ChallengesStage IV endometriosis, poor ovarian reserve, repeated IVF failures, failed egg retrieval cycles

TreatmentIVF with ICSI, controlled ovarian stimulation, single embryo development, frozen embryo transfer

OutcomeSuccessful pregnancy (ongoing)

Timeline~6–9 months

Journey Timeline

1. Complex Challenges

2. Personalised Plans

3. Safe Retireval & Transfer

4. Guided Transfer

5. Successful Pregnancy

The Barriers They Faced

Severe Endometriosis (Stage IV)

Affects pelvic environment and egg quality.

Poor Ovarian Reserve (POR)

Extremely low number of available eggs.

Repeated IVF Failures

Multiple unsuccessful attempts reduced confidence and options.

Failed OPU Cycles

High risk of retrieving no eggs at all.

Single-Oocyte Dependency

Entire cycle success depended on one egg.

Emotional Strain

Years of setbacks added psychological pressure.

Doctor's Quote

“The key was to tailor every aspect of care to this patient's unique needs, balancing safety, comfort, and clinical effectiveness.”

— Dr. Venugopal

The Treatment Plan that made the Difference

Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (Antagonist Protocol)

Carefully designed to retrieve even a single viable oocyte.

Ovum Pick-Up Outcome

1 oocyte retrieved → 1 mature (MII)

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Performed to maximise fertilisation chances.

Embryo Development

Day 3: Grade A compacting morula Day 5: A single high-quality 5AA blastocyst formed and frozen

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Transfer planned under optimised endometrial conditions to maximise implantation success.

A Story of One Chance, Perfectly Used

This case is a powerful reminder that success in IVF is not always about numbers, it’s about precision. Even with: – Severe endometriosis – Extremely low ovarian reserve – Just one retrieved egg A successful pregnancy is still possible. Through advanced embryology, careful planning, and personalised care, a single oocyte became a healthy embryo and that embryo became hope. At Birla Fertility & IVF, this journey shows that even in the most limited scenarios, the right approach can turn one chance into a life-changing outcome.

The Outcome

β-hCG confirmed a positive pregnancy.

The pregnancy is ongoing, with an expected due date in April 2026.