IVF Protocol

Last week started the beginning of our IVF cycle. 

On Tuesday, I had my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork. On Thursday, I met with Dr. Allemand to discuss the IVF checklist. Brandon was out of town, so Joy came with me. We had discussed much at length about IVF with Dr.A previously, so the office visit with him was not too stressful. He did discuss each step of the IVF process at length, and answered the few questions that I had.

My antral follicle count was 14 at my baseline ultrasound. Dr. A thinks that I'm a great candidate for IVF, and that I should produce many healthy eggs. As of now, our plan is to transfer two embryos. If for some reason I have poor quality embryos, we will access whether to transfer more then.

My IVF calendar arrived in the mail on Saturday.  The next few months are going to be crazy for us!  I will write a post later describing the process of IVF for all my friends reading who are not familiar with all of the terms.

The Calendar

Court's IVF S3 Protocol

5-5:  CD 1
5-8:  Baseline appointment; Start BCP
5-10:  IVF Checklist with Dr.A
5-29:  Precycle visit with Janet (IVF nurse) at 9am; begin 10 units of Lupron daily (injectable)
6-1:  Take last BCP
6-6:  Office Visit/ Suppression Check; Cycle payment due; Signed consents due to office
6-10:  Reduce Lupron to 5 units daily (injectable); Begin stims:  Follistim 225 units (injectable, Menopur 75 units (injectable)
6-14:  Office Visit
6-15:  Possible Office Visit
6-16:  Possible Office Visit; abstain from intercourse for the duration
6-17:  Possible Office Visit; begin antibiotic
6-18:  Possible Office Visit
6-19:  Possible Office Visit
6-20-6-21:  Tentative Egg Retrieval (ER); ER will determine Embryo Transfer (ET) and Beta (if we're pregnant or not)

Like I said above, I will post more later about the specifics.  We will not know the actual date of the ER and ET until I have began my stimulation medications.  Please continue to pray for us!  The next months will be exhausting mentally, emotionally, and physically.