What is the process of IVF?

[wannabaybe]

Hi,
I am new to this forum. Here is some background. TTC for 2 years and 2 months. I have done clomid, femara, and 4 IUI's. I had the hysterscopy and lap surgery done this summer and there was minimal tissue that the doctor removed. When AF comes at the end of this month we will attempt our last cycle of Bravelle. We then our then moving onto IVF.  My husband and I feel so discouraged and upset and disappointed month after month (as I'm sure everyone else on here feels).
I just wanted to get a better understanding before I meet with the doctor next week. About how the procedure works, the meds that you need to be on and anything else that can help up to understand IVF.
Best wishes to all! Thanks for the help.

[wannabaybe]

Thanks for your comments! It's great to have people respond and to help newbies through the procees. I'll keep u updated!

[Heather5]

Well, let's see...the process basically spans over two months: The first to suppress your ovaries and the second for stimulation, retrieval and transfer. You'll probably be on lupron the first month, and possibly birth control as well. Then, once your ovaries are sufficiently suppressed, you'll be starting your stimulation phase. Since you've already been on Bravelle, you're already used to one of the drugs your doctor might prescribe (there are a few he/she can chose from). I was on Bravelle and Menopur. You'll probably be stimming for about 10 days or so, then do the trigger and go in for retrieval, which will happen under full anesthesia. Then you wait...most doctors do either a day 3 or day 5 transfer, based on their personal preference and also based on the number and quality of the embryos. Oh, and you'll be on progesterone after retrieval (since your body's not producing its own in an IVF cycle), and probably also estrogen. I think that's about it... Best of luck with everything!!!

[babyhope40527]

hi wannabaybe, i wish this attempt of Bravelle works. In order to start with IVF, we first checked with our insurance company about the coverage and also researched on best doctor around. My insurance pays better based on doctor's past success rates. Then we scheduled our appointments to go over the cycle and to decide on protocols, doctors office will order meds through the company to which my insurance pays, and i get the meds home, i have to pay the co-pay for meds. so far its going ok.

good luck to you