I'm so confused about timing, hoping someone can help

KirstenCas · February 2016

I'm scheduled for my egg retrieval in May. This is my first foray into IVF, and we skipped over IUI altogether. My RE said most of the appointments would occur in April. I will begin taking my bcp in March, are there any appointments between the start of bcp and the trial run? Thank for any input. I'm trying ot plan a relaxing vacation before then to get us ready.

dragonfaerie · February 2016

Here's what my calendar basically looked like:

2-3 weeks of BCP
Stop BCP, start dexamethasone (steroid for anti-inflammatory, not all docs use it)
2 or 3 days (can't remember) after stopping BCP, went in for baseline labs and U/S
Started stim injections, after about 5 days we started going in every morning for labs and U/S to monitor follicle growth

Not sure if that helps! I know every clinic does things differently, but they should be able to give you a tentative schedule from start to transfer.

AandDM2014 · February 2016

I'm a bit confused by your wording on this post. You should be scheduled to start bcps, then start stim medication. You can't really be scheduled for a retrieval until you have monitoring appointments to see how your follicles are growing. You may need 8 days of stims, or you may need 18. You won't know until you start doing it. Once you start your stims you should have appointments every 2-5 days, so you should plan your vacation before that, or after egg retrieval if you're doing a freeze all and FET. I also don't understand "are there any appointments between the start of bcp and the trial run?" What trial run are you referring to? Unless you are planning a mock transfer, which should happen before you start your stims.

Hope this helps some!

dragonfaerie · February 2016

We actually don't have our Trial transfer until after egg retrieval. I call with CD1 and overthe next month they'll do all those trials, then put me on meds to prep for transfer.

KirstenCas · February 2016

My clinic does retrievals one week a month, so fx'd, my retrieval will take place some time during the week of May 8th, with stim starting some time around April 28th. I am referring to a mock transfer which I understand will be done prior to stims, some time in April. I know I will begin bcp some time in March.

I guess what I'm asking it I know all the sort of 'milestone' dates, I'm just wondering about appointments in between those for bloodwork, etc. I would love to have a set in stone schedule for work but i understand that's not likely.

Thanks for all the info!

I'm also wondering why some places do fresh transfers over frozen and vice versa.

dragonfaerie · February 2016

@KirstenCas Definitely ask your doc. As you said, it can't be set in stone because it all depends on how your body responds, but they should give you a calendar.

There is a higher success rate for FET because your body has had time to come down off all the screwy hormones. If you have even slight OHSS, and then put a baby in, it can really exacerbate things and you could miscarry and/or have serious health complications for yourself. Most clinics will do both, but ours recommended the FET, and absolutely will not do a fresh if you have symptoms of OHSS.

KirstenCas · February 2016

Thanks

KLake42 · February 2016

Also, some people are on BCPs for as long as 6 weeks prior to stims. It's less common, but it happens.

laurenlalap · February 2016

KLake42 said:

Also, some people are on BCPs for as long as 6 weeks prior to stims. It's less common, but it happens.

Yes, this is what our doctor said during the training session. Everyone is different.

Tulips29 · February 2016

Hi there. I'm doing my fist IVF cycle now too, so I understand the confusion about the schedule. I like to have it all planned out as well. Here's the tentative schedule my clinic gave me:

2/19 - 3/21 - BCP
3/25 - come back for blood work and ultrasound; start stims and go in every 2-3 days for monitoring
4/5 - approximate date of retrieval
4/10 - approximate date of fresh transfer if we decide to go with it

Hope this helps.

KirstenCas · February 2016

Thanks so much

Want a personalized experience?

I'm so confused about timing, hoping someone can help

Re: I'm so confused about timing, hoping someone can help

Choose Another Board

Search Boards