Tests, checks and scans during an IVF cycle - what should I be asking for?

Hi everyone,

I just had my first IVF cycle - BFN

I have elevated hormone levels on my blood test even though my period came on very strong and painfully the day before so I have to have more tests on Friday.

Anyway I was just wondering for those of you who have done IVF a few times... what tests and scans etc have you had during the cycle?

My clinic only did a down reg scan to see that the synarel was doing it's job (as it turned out I nearly had to have the cycle cancelled as I had follicles which were 9's and I was told if any had been 10's they wouldn't have been able to go ahead). I then started on Gonal-F 225 but had no follow up checks to see how my body was responding to it etc until the pre egg pick up ultrasound which showed a few eggs at all different stages so I had a choice of trying for egg pickup 2 days later and possibly getting 3 eggs or waiting til the following Monday and those eggs would be gone but hopefully more would be big enough. I took the nurses advice and went for the later pickup. Got 12 eggs but only 3 fertilized and only 1 was suitable for transfer.

After embryo transfer I was on crinone but had no tests until 14 days post transfer, when I had my blood test (day after my period started) and it shows elevated hormone levels - which the nurse said is not related to the fact I was on crinone. From what I have read it seems some people have blood tests earlier than this and from those tests the clinic decides if they need to provide higher doses of progesterone support etc? Is this right?

I'm just worried that my clinic doesn't seem to be doing much about monitoring me between the different stages of the cycle and we are travelling blind.

I'm still struggling with deciding whether to try again (as I have no frozen embies I would have to start from scratch again) but if I do go again it will be my last time so I need to make sure it has the best possible chance of success.

Was also wondering if I should be asking for other tests before starting again? I haven't had any tests done except for the blood tests for STD's, rubella, hormone levels etc. No internal exams except a general look by the doctor and the internal ultrasounds during my year of donor insemination (when we used the scans to monitor my cycle to work out when I was going to ovulate).

What should I be asking for?

Thanks

Lori