IVF steps,

[mellowyellowsevenup]

can someone please tell me the steps to IVF? tell me everything from the start to finish and how long. im thinking of going through a IVF. but im scared out of my mind. what are the inital steps to start out, can someone please help me...

[lmcrt]

I am going thru IVf now for my first time I have pcos and husband has male factor infertility. This was our protocal.......

#3 weeks birth control to supresses ovaries
then onto
10 days Lupron shot given in the belly daily. Supresses ovaries puting you in menopause
then onto
10 days Bravelle and Menopur shots given in belly daily. Stimulates ovaries, follicles
Ultrasound and bloodwork 7 days/times while on the stims to monitor eggs growth.
now its time for
Retrieval of eggs, recover for two days
5 days later Transfer eggs back, recover for 3 days bed rest.
the following drugs start after  the retrieval
Started z-pac antibiotic
Started Medrol(steriod) 4 times daily for 4 days so body doesnt reject the embryos
Started Progesterone in oil shots daily until pregnany test to thicken lining
Started progesterone 200mg suppositories twice daily until preg. test
Started estrogen patches thicken lining

IVF is something that requires dedication and alot of time off work. Monitoring is always in the morning between 7-10am and you have to go on the days they say. You will have to take time off with the retrieval and the transfer. There are alot of injections but they really don't hurt that bad. Its just alot of work, you have to want this bad enough. Good luck to you. and keep us updated on what you decide.

[jennyfer976]

I guess its a bit different for each person....as for me I have regular periods and ovulated on my own, so to begin IVF the fertility specialist did a basic exam, took blood, did a saline ultra sound (inserted a catheter thru the cervix and emptied a bag of saline into the uterus while using transvaginal probe) to check size of follicles, uterus size etc. Then I took a class about the injections to learn how to inject myself (kind of interesting lasted 3 hours, used an orage to practice injection). Then I ordered my meds and got started on Follistim a shot in the belly once a day to make follicles grow, then added ganirilix shot for 4 days then trigger shot, then retrieval, 3 days later transfer and then 2 weeks later hpt. Seemed like a LOOOONNNGGG process but really its about the same as a menstrual cycle. Its all over and done within a month from start to finish and the injections literally last 2 weeks in which time you will be triggered with hcg or some other hormone to release the eggs, have them retrieved either 3 or 5 days later have them transferred. And then its the 2 week wait till the test. So 4-5 weeks total. If you already ovulate and get your period regularly. The drugs they use may vary per person. I was terrified too, but its really something that I made myself go through and its made me stronger. Not to mention pregnant after my first try with twins!!! So good luck to you! I know its a tough decision. the best place to start is by talking with your doctor about it and getting them to make a plan for you. Then you will know exactly what they plan to do!

[kaprovea]

I know that a lot of people start out doing IUI before doing IVF.  I started out doing IVF though bc I have PCOS and  my husband has poor morphology and they RE told me that there was a very low chance of me getting pregnant on our own.

First thing we had to do was take provera to get a period since I wasn't regular at all.  Then after that they put me on 3 weeks of birth control pills.  I think it was a week and a half into the birth control pills they had me come in for a Lupron shot.  During this period they are also monitoring my lining through ultra sounds and blood work.

After the 3 weeks of birth control pills I started Gonal F and Menopur for 2 weeks I think.  The first week I came in once for an ultra sound and blood work to check on mmy follies.  

The second week I came in every other day to check follies.  During the 3rd week when the follies reached around 18 cm they would have me go to Retrieval.  Then either 3-5 days later they will do the Transfer.

It really isn't that scary when you start the whole process.

Any other questions just ask.