My IVF Timetable

The image above is thetimeline for my October 2009 IVF. If you click on it you can see a bigger version and you can also zoom in (otherwise it’s very difficult to read).

I got the idea from the Advanced Reproductive Care Center of Irving website.

Day	Date	Meds	Appointments
1-18	07-24 Sep	BCP (Microgynon 30ED)	First IVF appt
19	25 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
20	26 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
21	27 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
22	28 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
23	29 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
24	30 Sep	Buserelin (0.5ml)	None
25	01 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	Ultrasound to check ovaries are quiet, lining in uterus is thin. Given the go ahead to start stims.
26	02 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
27	03 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
28	04 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
29	05 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	Ultrasound to check follicles are responding to stims and Blood Test to check hormones.
30	06 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
31	07 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
32	08 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (150iu)	None
33	09 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (225iu)	Ultrasound to check follicles are responding to stims and Blood Test to check hormones.
34	10 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (225iu)	None
35	11 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (225iu)	None
36	12 Oct	Buserelin (0.5ml) Gonal-f (225iu) hCG Shot (Ovitrelle)	Ultrasound to check follicles are responding to stims and Blood Test to check hormones. Told okay to take hCG shot.
37	13 Oct	No meds!	None
38	14 Oct	Egg Retrieval	Egg Retrieval 11.00am
39	15 Oct	No meds!	None
40	16 Oct	Projesterone gel (Crinone 8% 1.125g)	None
41	17 Oct	Embryo Transfer Projesterone gel (Crinone 8% 1.125g)	Embryo Transfer 10.30am
42-52	18-28 Oct	Projesterone gel (Crinone 8% 1.125g)	None
52	28 Oct	Pregnancy Test!	Blood test

I have also copied down the information the RIE gave me, I think it could have been written better but thought I’d share anyway:

IVF Treatment Regime (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh)

• We need to see you about a month before you are due to start your treatment. Please phone with your period and make an appointment for a scan and mock transfer (within 5 days of your cycle).
• You should start using the injections (Buserelin) and continue until 35 hours prior to egg recovery.
• Please use barrier contraception the month prior to start of your injections. You should be taking Folic acid before commencing treatment.
• After you have commenced on Buserelin injections, you will have to attend the Centre on the first Thursday after you have been using the injection for at least 14 days. A vaginal ultrasound scan will be performed to check that you have not developed any ovarian cysts.
• If your ultrasound scan is satisfactory, you will then commence daily injections. The usual dose is between 150iu or 225iu of gonadotrphins, but this may be varied, to stimulate the growth of follicles (containing eggs) in the ovaries. Please note that you must continue with the Buserelin injections during your treatment. If initial scan shows you are not ready to start ovarian stimulation, you will continue with the injection for an extra week or more.
• A repeat ultrasound scan will be performed on the 5th/6th day of gonadotrophin injections. This is to measure the number and size of the follicles in your ovaries. The dose of your injection may be altered at this stage.
• Another ultrasound scan may be carried out on Day 9 or Day 10 depending on your response to injections to stimulate your ovaries.
• Once the follicles have reached the satisfactory size, the gonadotrophin injections will have to be stopped. Arrangements will be made for you to be given a late night injection of hCG (Ovitrelle). This is to mature the eggs prior to their removal (recovery) which takes place 35 hours later. Once you have been given the hCG (Ovitrelle) injection, you must stop using the Buserelin injection.
• You will be given clear instructions about when to attend for egg recovery. This normally takes place between 9.00am -12.00am. Your partner must be available to provide a semen sample first thing that morning. You may continue to have intercourse duing the cycle of treatment. Sperm which is “saved up” for days is probably less good at fertilising eggs. Your partner should abstain for at least 3 days but not more than 5 days before egg recovery.
• Please check that your cervical smears are up to date and normal before commencing treatment.
• Please take Folic acid (400 microgram) at least 3 months before commencing treatment.