looking for IVF info please re; visits

so, my husband and I finally have a medical plan that covers IVF. I've been doing a little research, and I know about the testing and all that will need to be done prior to actually the start of the procedure.
Its going to be tough for me with the early dr. appts-between my job and my son/school etc.. and to have to be there so many days within the 2 week or so time frame. I can try to make it work though with my job. My husband absolutely cannot be late/take off or anything- so how many times would you say he'd actually have to be present ?

Also from start to finish- what would you say the time frame is? from your first dr visit to the retrieval and all?

Just trying to get as much info as I can before we proceed.
Also- the injections. Once the retrieval is done, are you done with the meds, or do you have to continue with anything?
Thanks so much-in advance...

looking for IVF info please re; visits

My husband came with me to the retrieval and transfer. Those are necessary. So I would say 2 days he would have to be late, leave early or take half a day. He also came to any appointments that fell on the weekends. The REs office tells you when the procedures are and you might not know until the day before.

As for the time frame it really depends on your protocol. My IVFs were from 4-6 weeks time frame. It depends if you are on other meds before hand like Lupron or using birth control pills etc.

Once the retrival was done you are done with stimming. If you are on PIO then you will continue that injection. You may be on some oral meds at that time and possibly a progesterone insert. It all depends on your protocol.

Best of luck!

Re: looking for IVF info please re; visits

thank you so much

Re: looking for IVF info please re; visits

I am in the same position, my husband has very little flexibility with his job and can't take much time off. I've done 6 IUI's and just started IVF and he's only been to the doctors office with me twice. Once was for our IVF consultation and the second time was to drop off his specimen and sign all the IVF consent forms.

The only thing you really need him (or his sperm) for is the retrieval. Since I couldn't be sure that he'd be available that day, we were able to schedule a time on a weekend to drop it off and have it frozen so it's ready and waiting for me when I have my retrieval this week.

So as long as you're ok going to the doctor on your own or bringing someone besides your husband, you can make it work. There were a few appointments/procedures that my mom came to so I wasn't alone, and either my mom or sister will come to my retrieval, but for the most part I usually went by myself.

As far as timing from start to finish, it's hard to say. You have to get some pre-testing done, like blood work, sonograms, Fallopian tube test, etc. and they all have to be done on certain days of your cycle, so that depends on your/your doctors availability. Then for the IVF itself it depends on your protocol. I'm doing PGD, which is genetic testing so after my retrieval the embryos get screened and then I wait until my next cycle to do a frozen transfer.

One piece of advice, since you do have insurance - have your doctor request your pre-authorization for IVF as soon as possible. My doctors office messed up and didn't send all my records in so I initially got denied. I ended up getting my period before it could be resubmitted so I had to wait an extra cycle before I could start.

Best of luck to you, keep us updated on your progress!!

Re: looking for IVF info please re; visits

Only time DH went with me(when I was at RSofNY) was on retrieval day. I went to the transfers right from work and would just go home and rest. When I used NSUH where I had zero success he had to came to all transfers(their policy).

At RSofNY I started my fresh cycle in early November 2012 (like the 4th)and had my transfer on Thanksgiving. I think my pregnancy test was around Dec 1st. So from start to finish about 28 days. I didn't have luck on any of my fresh cycles but did on my 2 frozen(almost 3 and 9 mos). The frozen cycles are much shorter because it's less monitoring. The monitoring for both (fresh and frozen)started at 6:30am. Once pregnancies were achieved the monitoring appointments were not as early(8am sonograms started). First pregnancy I was monitored by them until 7 weeks before going to my OB and second pregnancy it was through 9/10 weeks.

With fresh cycles once you're close to the ovulation point you may go as frequently as every day(most REs like to see your lead around 18-20mm at least before triggering you so when you're right on the cusp monitoring may be more often.


Good Luck

looking for IVF info please re; visits

My DH came to the retrieval and transfer. Technically, he never needs to come, but you will need someone to take you home after the retrieval.

My stimming usually took about 10 days. I was seen more or less every other day from CD 2-10. Then retrieval and transfer. They usually do blood work during your 2ww, but you could do that anywhere. Then there's the beta test, but that could also be done elsewhere.

Good luck!

Re: looking for IVF info please re; visits

DH came with me for the initial consult. other than that, all my visits, nursing consult, etc I did my self. He was there for retrieval and transfer day.

not much needed on the guys end :)

Re: looking for IVF info please re; visits

My dh was at every appt but I don't drive so he had to be lol

From
Start to finish it was about 6 weeks. 3 weeks bcp them stims

Week before retrieval I was there at least every other day,once back to back

I def need him for the retrieval,mine was surgical so I didn't have a choice

Transfer they have me a Valium so idk if I could have driven

I still took some medS after the retrieval


Best of luck to you!

looking for IVF info please re; visits

my husband was there for first consult, genetic consult(we did pgd, pgs) and retrieval