Estrogen Priming/Non-OCP Antagon Protocol

berries555

Hey all...I am back after my BFN in October.  The hubs and I took a short break from the IVF process to get through the holidays with our families.  We had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Years....now we have decided to get back to business.  We are hoping for a better result with our 2nd go round.  

My dr has decided to try a different stimulation method for our second cycle of IVF, Estrogen Priming/Non-OCP Antagon Protocol.  The nurse advised me of the change, however she didn't give me reason on why they are doing it differently this time.  Nor did I get much info on what this method is.  I was told that I needed to start LH testing (they prefer the clearblue easy digital ovulation kits) on day 9.  Then I should call them when I get a positive.  

Can anyone enlighten me on why they would change?  And what this method consists of?  

Happy New Year all!!!  

BRaven985

I am on EPP as we speak. My doctor didn't give me a reason....and I was busy asking about other things and failed to ask why on the estrogen priming. But I looked it up after and saw that it can be used to help with poor responders or sometimes with those with lower egg quality....which is what I think it is for me since I definitely had a lot of eggs but few made it to blast. As for the process, once I ovulated I started taking the estrogen twice a day until AF arrived. Then I called and went in for CD3 check and will be starting stims tonight which is CD5. According to paperwork I actually was supposed to start stimming CD2 or 3 but I think the new years arrival of AF kinda screwed that up and I think as long as I stayed on the estrogen for a couple more days I was able to start a couple days later. Good luck!!!!

Lady2010

Hi - I was on EPP with my IVF last month.  I went in on CD18 for a b/w to ensure I had ovulated an then started on an estrogen patch until AF arrived.  On CD2 I went in for b/w and ultrasound (to ensure there were no cysts).  I began stims that night.  I stimmed until CD12 and had my ER on CD15.  I was on Menopur - initially 150iu but later upped to 300iu, 300iu of Gonal F and then Cetrotide to prevent me from ovulating early.  They used Novarel as the trigger.

I had 15 eggs retrieved, 14 fertilized and 2 made it to day 5 blastocysts.  1 was an AA - which we transferred.  The other was a BB, which we froze.  

I honestly don't know why they used this approach - we have our WTF appointment on the 15th, but from what I understand, the goal was to get lots of good quality eggs.  Part of me wishes we froze some at Day3 when we still had 9 or 10 embryos, but perhaps if they didn't make it to the blastocyst stage, they weren't strong enough to freeze and later transfer.

I wish you all the best!!!!