About to start our IVF journey . . .

[mrs_zeg]

... I'd really like to here from some 'newbies' to the IVF scene:especially to find out how long the whole process takes. . . .

Sorry - I would love to hear from those who are not so new to IVF too - you're the ones with those valuable experiences!! xx

[wishes]

Well I guess I'm a bit of a newbie, so thought I'd share my experience (albeit not very much). I started my first round of IVF (down reg cycle) at the end of April this year. I spent 3 weeks on the pill, 3 weeks sniffing Synarel, and 11 days on FSH (Gonal-F) injections. However unfortunately for me, 2 days before my egg pick up was due (which was just last week), my blood test showed an elevated progesterone level, indicating that I'd already started ovulating, so the rest of my cycle was cancelled. It seems that Synarel didn't work for me, as it didn't prevent ovulation like it was supposed to. There was no point doing egg pick up, since there probably wasn't going to be any eggs there. Obviously it was devastating to hear that news. I really felt like the previous 4 weeks of preparation had been a waste.

As to your question, how long the process takes will depend on the type of cycle you do. If you do a down reg cycle (like I did), it takes the longest. That's where they down regulate your hormones first, befor starting you on FSH injections. There are other types of cycles that can be done that are shorter, but I guess your FS will advise on what they think is best.

I'm now waiting for AF, so I can then start an Antagonist cycle. There is no down reg with this type of cycle (so no pill, and no synarel for me). After AF arrives, I'll start Gonal-F injections on day 3 and they'll monitor closely with blood tests and ultrasounds. When the doctor says so, I'll start another daily injection (cetrotide) which will be the drug that stops ovulation (instead of synarel) until I do my trigger for egg pick up. I'm really hoping this one works, as I feel I got a bit of a false start for my first attempt.

Anyway, sorry for the long reply but I hope some of this information helps. Good luck with your IVF journey and I hope you get a little miracle soon.

Wishes xoxo

[JBM]

come and join us in the lttc thread where we chat about everything.
i have only done one round of IVF/ICSI. about a year ago now.

i got 11 eggs
7 fertilised and all were good qual ( so they say)
anyway i didn't get any positive results but discovered that it was probably other stress and sickness factors for this.
i think it wasn't as bad as what i thought in the beginning. and we will be doing the whole thing again in september.

good luck

[mrs_zeg]

Thanks ladies - it all helps!!
I am due to start on the pill on thurs & will make contact with nurse co-ordinator to go from there. Things are looking good for us from what the doctor discussed with us - nervous & eager to get going!! Good luck to all ~ praying for a bundle of love for each of us xoxo