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This is a controversial subject. In general the same rules that apply to canceling a regular (non-donor) IVF cycle should apply to a donor IVF cycle. You will need to discuss these issues with your doctor up front before starting the cycle. Many doctors are reluctant to cancel unless all indications are terrible. Because of the emotional and financial cost of any IVF cycle you may want to cancel a cycle before retrieval but be aware that you may meet with resistance from your doctor. You may still choose to continue with a cycle that doesn't look promising but be sure it is an informed decision. You also need to remember that the donor is also a patient of your doctor and your doctor is obliged ethically and legally to provide the best care for her as well as for you. Here are some guidelines to help you through the process: 1. You will need to call the office every afternoon to get the results of your donor's estradiol; you should arrange this before the cycle starts. The estradiol should increase steadily over the course of her pergonal/metrodin; short-term periods (3 or less days) of modest or no increase may be all right if the donor had lupron as part of her protocol. There may be a problem if the estradiol level stays low or plateaus for more than 3-4 days and there is definitely a problem if the estradiol level drops. Most of the follicles should grow in size at about the same rate. Near the time of retrieval the estradiol level should equal approximately 200 times the number of mature follicles. Mature follicles are determined by their diameter; usually a follicle measuring 16mm or greater is considered mature. 2. There have been successful transfers and pregnancies with few retrieved eggs and/or resulting embryos; your doctor will probably tell you this. The belief is that younger women will make great eggs and resultant embryos even if their number isn't high. However there are some things you should know: First, not all follicles contain eggs and not all eggs are mature at the time of retrieval. It's not enough to know that your donor has 10 follicles, you need to know the number of mature-looking follicles. Second, not all eggs will successfully fertilize (even if there is no male factor) and some will be over-fertilized (with more than one sperm). A normal fertilization rate is about 60-70%. Third, not all embryos will be of high enough rating (at least a 3 or C) to give a good chance of pregnancy. Embryos rated at 4 or 5 do not usually result in pregnancy. Fourth, if your program has a good embryo freezing program it would be nice to have enough to freeze for another try or a second child. Most clinics do not freeze embryos rated below a 3 or C. It will assist you greatly if you ask ahead of time about the embryo lab's percentages with regard to these areas: fertilization rate, information about quality of embryos, and follicle to egg relationship. 3. If you or your doctor cancel a cycle you need to know how much money you will be refunded from your initial payment. Most people will have paid the entire amount up front. Establish this ahead of time before the cycle starts. If you worked with a donor broker you will need to discuss this ahead of time with him or her as well.