IVF procedure questions

[Danie454]

Hey Everyone!

I have a couple questions if anyone knows the answers.

When you go for your first scan on stims. I know they are looking to see how many follies there are, but what are they testing on the blood test? A level of some sort. But what numbers am I looking to hear?

Also how many days after your first scan do you typically do the EC?

I feel pretty okay the meds aren't making me feel bloated yet, its only been 2 full days though..

Hugs to everyone!

Danielle

[lynne]

Hi Danielle,
I'm not an expert at all having undergone only one cycle of IVF so far but I hope I can help a bit.
The blood tests are for oestrogen levels. These coincide with the amount of eggs produced. The higher the oestrogen, the more eggs.I'm not sure what levels you are looking to hear (I really can't remember what they told me. I think mine were 40 and they were looking for anything over 75, but my memory could be playing tricks with me) but if they are unsure about the amount of eggs, the eostrogen results give them a better idea of what is going on. I have a mishshapen uterus apparently so they can't see my left ovary at all, therefore they relied heavily on the oestrogen levels. They saw only 7 follies, but collected 11 eggs.
At my clinic the maximum they like you to stim for is 12 days. Some people are ready before then- it all depends on the person. So if you're on day 2, I reckon you're looking at another ten days max. However, your clinic might be different. My clinic did only 2 scans for downreg and 2 for stims, but I know that other places are a little more rigorous with their procedures.
I'm glad you're not getting any bloating. Lots of girls don't and it's nothing to worry about.

[Macca8]

Hiya,

Sadly I've done it 3 times now, I feel like I could perform the ops myself.
It is typically 13 days from first stim injection to ET. They take bloods to measure oestrogen levels which would indicate your response to the drugs and to ensure you don't hyper stimulate. They will normally scan you on the 7th and 9th day and take you for EC on the 11th and ET on the 13th day. This can obviously move depending on your reponse to drugs. If your response is poor they may carry on stims for 1/2 days or in worse case scenarios cancel the treatment for a better cycle.

Hope this helps.

Lisa XXX

[mel25]

Hi there I'm new to this board also wondering some ivf questions? Just getting started with the process wondering how the shots are. That is what I'm the most worried about! Also if nothing happens the first ivf cycle and you have chosen to freeze the embryos do you still go through all the shots and the whole process?? How do you post a new thread for everyone to see I'm new to this so I wasn't quite sure how to do that?
Thanks for listening
Melanie

[Macca8]

Hi Mel,

Next to 'post reply' there is a 'post new topic', that is where you can assign a new subject. It can be on any of the forums. I would suggest you do this on the general forum where you are more likely to receive replys. Welcome on board.

Lisa XX