anyone who's done ivf--help please!

[nshapland]

I went to my dr on Mon and he wants to do ivf. However, he said go ahead and try this month the old fashioned way.  So his plan is to try when I ovulate (today) and then like a week or so later start me on lupron and then do a pregnancy test 5 or so days after that and if I'm pregnant, take me off the lupron.
He said that a short amt of time on lupron while pregnant is fine, as long as it's not more than a week. Apparently lupron causes a surge in estrodial/progesterone during the first week and then the levels plummet to menopausal levels. He also said 3 or 4 babies are born each yr in his practice after the moms took lupron.
My question is this--has anyone else's dr told them this?  I am really worried about taking something if I may be pregnant but then again, I'd hate to lose a month by not starting the lupron (assuming I don't get pregnant on my own).  
Should I get a second opinion from another RE?  
Thanks!!

[nshapland]

That's ok. I'm wondering if she was on the long protocol and if so, why they used estrace instead of lupron.

[seattleview]

Oops! I misread your question to usuk...I thought you were asking what the long protocol is, not whether she did it. Sorry about that! :)

[seattleview]

Estrace/estradiol are estrogen, which is defintely very different from Lupron (Lupron is a brand name for Leuprolide). The long protocol is being on Lupron for nearly two weeks before beginning ovary stimulation injections. You then continue Lupron as well, but in a reduced dosage.

[nshapland]

so you did not do lupron? Just estrace? Was it the long protocol?

[nshapland]

I will check that out--thanks so much!

[usuk]

i took estrace/estradiol from CD21 until my AF two cycles. not sure if lupron is just a brand name for estrace. but i was not told to abstain from TTC beforehand. i asked why and RE said if you do not get AF 14 DPO then they will do a preg test and take you off. but it does not harm the baby.

[nshapland]

did anyone else's RE say they could try naturally before starting a lupronlong protocol?

[nshapland]

I know, that's what I thought. He is basically saying that since it's so early in the pregnancy that the embryo won't be affected.  But if only 3 or 4 a year are born in his practice, how does he know it's harmless?
Yes, I think I will get a second opinion.
Thanks

[seattleview]

I guess it depends on how much you trust your RE overall. I personally would get a second opinion or simply refuse that protocol because I think it states pretty clearly in the info that comes with Lupron that pregnant women shouldn't take it because it causes birth defects.