New to IVF

ncm1919 · October 2015

Hi Ladies- we are currently in our 2nd IUI cycle. With our insurance, it's three iui's all covered then on to IVF. We are very lucky.

I have been burying my head in the sand about IVF because frankly it scares me but I finally took a peek at Google. Now I'm even more freaked out but know I can do it. If infertility has taught me anything, it's that wanting this baby trumps anything that's uncomfortable or hurts.

My question is this- how long did your first IVF cycle take? I understand everyone is different by I just want to get a sense of the range. I ask because if the next two iui's don't take, I want to move on immediately to IVF. I have some work commitments I cannot get out of and I just want to know if I will have to postpone.

I know I'm putting the cart before the horse. But right now all I have is this stupid cart and planning is the only thing I have even a semblance of control over.

Appreciate the help! Hopefully I won't even have to worry about it but I'm hedging my bets.

tripledaggerWed95976 · October 2015

I was on birth control for 3 weeks waiting to start my ivf cycle. I started stimms on August 15...egg retrieval August 24... Transfer August 30. So from first day of stimms to egg transfer it was 15 days total-- however I had a very short cycle when compared to other women

HBamama2B · October 2015

I was on my second IUI in the 2ww when we decided to switch to IVF the following cycle due to Dx. We met with the RE and IVF coordinator about a week after the IUI and got everything prepared for the next cycle. We did the antagonist protocol. 8/28 AF came and I was on OCPs 8/29-9/11, started stims 9/15, ER 9/25, ET 9/30, beta on 10/9. The whole process was about 6 weeks for me!

blessedwtwins · October 2015

It is completely normal to look at the actual step by step process and feel overwhelmed, it's a lot to take in! I promise you that if you unfortunately get to that point, you will be able to make it through! The best thing I found with it was to look at it as different steps and concentrate on only 1 step at a time. It made it a lot easier by concentrating on 1 thing and not so much the entire daunting process.

As for how long it all took for me on my fresh transfer, I'd say about 8 weeks. After all the prep work and meetings, I started bcp. From there it was about 8 weeks from the 1st pill til the first beta test was done.

Every clinic is a little different on their protocol. If you're starting to worry about it, perhaps ask for a meeting with your re to discuss the possibility and what their scheduling/protocol is. Some clinics may even have a wait list that may need to be taken into consideration. I wish you luck and hope this iui worked for you!

ncm1919 · October 2015

Thanks for the feedback. Anyone else want to weigh in.
@blessedwtwins- I think I will take your advice and ask my re what the protocol is if this IUI doesn't take. I rarely speak to him. Actually I have yet to see/talk to him since we discussed all our test results. The nursing team runs interference for him.

HBamama2B · October 2015

You can also check the beginning of the sep/oct IVF thread. A lot of us posted our full protocol with dates.

mmjndiaye · October 2015

When I went in for my first initial visit with the RE to discuss IVF, she said upfront they can't give you a precise timeline, but to expect at least a 6-8 week cycle from start to finish. Our appt was May 6th, I went on BC to regulate my cycle and we were scheduled to start with the shots in June.

Unfortunately my body ignored my first couple weeks of Lupron injections which started mid June (meaning my follicles were growing like weeds), so I had to stop, wait for AF, and start all over again. I started Lupron again (at a higher dosage) end of July for 10 days, did 4 days of stims and had my ER I think it was Aug 15th and the ET 5 days later.

The fresh cycle was a BFN, so we went ahead with an FET. Thankfully you just have to wait until your cycle starts to get going with the FET. No shots with an FET either, so that helped ease the anxiety, and it's basically the same as a fresh transfer on transfer day. I had to wear estrogen patches and start progesterone suppositories. FET was 9/21 and as of now I'm 6w3d. We have our first ultrasound Monday, and hopefully everything is going good.

So, all in all, my IVF & FET was about a 5 month process.

My advice would be to ask any and all questions that come to mind, no question is dumb. I find the nurses are so helpful and will not hesitate to answer anything. This is a serious, costly, time consuming and ultimately life changing experience, so don't be afraid to show uncertainty, confusion, and anxiety/nerves. The nurses at my IVF clinic were so nurturing and really rooted for me throughout our whole process. I already know on Monday they'll greet me with smiles & hugs saying "We did it!"

Good luck and stay strong. It's definitely an emotional & somewhat overwhelming experience, but oh so worth it.

KLake42 · October 2015

I'm new to IVF, too, but I just had a great 3 hour visit with my clinic on Friday, and feel like I know a lot more. If they haven't sat you down to go over the whole process, maybe it's because they want to see if the IUIs work first.

But it was the IVF nurse who sat and went over the calendar with me. I'm actually going to have to wait a cycle between this last IUI (if it doesn't work) and starting IVF, because otherwise I'll be ready for retrieval right around Christmas, the one time all year the clinic is closed! But it will work out for me to take the cycle off, because it will give them time to do the saline sonohysterogram, and give me time to see a therapist (my clinic requires one therapy session).

And honestly, you might feel ready right now to go full steam forward, but after 3 IUIs, your body and mental well-being may benefit from taking a break for a cycle, if it's something that your schedule requires for work reasons. I had a break between IUI 3 and IUI 4, and it helped me a lot. I'm also glad to get a break between IUI 7 and IVF 1 (especially since it hits in the holiday season).

But I was also advised it will be a 6-8 week process.

ncm1919 · October 2015

@KLake42- thanks for the insight. This has been a 2+ year chapter in my life that in ready to close and the thought of having to wait until 2016 makes me sick. But you raise some great points. i travel for work so December would be ideal as I stick close to home and I'd be able to take the time necessary to get everything done. I guess I'll just have to wait and see where the chips fall.

This entire thing has been quite a humbling experience and has taught me a lot. The most obvious being we really aren't in control and that sometimes you just have to have faith it will work out.

beckihall · October 2015

I started stimulating meds July 20, egg retrieval July 30, embryo trasfer Aug 4. But everyone is different, since I'm under 30 I responded to the meds really well so it went quickly.

twomommiestobe · October 2015

@KLake42 we might be doing ivf around the same time! Our consult is Nov 2, but we know we don't want to do it until Jan or Feb, even if they could do it sooner we don't want to bc of the holidays and ins deductibles.

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