Hi:
I go to my first IVF consultation meeting tomorrow. I'll let you know what the doctor informs me in terms of the typical process. I'm super anxious but very hopeful!

Sana

Hi Shk2j,
thanks for answering...and good luck,
Let me know how it goes and what they tell you.
Sharon

Generally, for IVF you take a stimulation drug to increase egg production. They monitor your ovaries around day 9 or so, and then you go back as often as needed until the follicles are the right size. Then you take a trigger injection which forces the body to ovulate and release the eggs. If this is done on Thursday, you would have the eggs retrieved on Saturday.

If she is using donor eggs that are not frozen, then she would have to have her husband on call to go to the clinic when the donor eggs were produced.

If the eggs are frozen, it can be more planned.

Eggs are placed in a petrie dish with sperm and allowed to fertilize. In some cases, when they suspect fertilization will be difficult, they inject individual eggs with sperm.

These embryos are then allowed to develop between 3-5 days. Depending on the quality of the embryo they will advise how many to transfer. Current thinking is for less - that chances are about equal with one egg as with multiples.

After the transfer, you wait about 2 weeks, then have a blood test to see if it was successful.

Sana - three cycles here - 2 fresh and one frozen - got pregnant all three times. Carried first fresh to full term - Alex is now 8 1/2. Miscarried the frozen cycle. Carried second fresh to full term - Meghan is 6 next week!

There is hope...I found the whole process a lot less overwhelming that I was fearing...

Congratulations Jill,
Thanks for the info and encouragement all...will pass on the wisedom
Sharon