I think it varies from individual and clinic but... usually the blood work and ultrasounds every other day are when you have been begun your high follicle stimulating injections. The clinic you are going to probably has a detailed calendar with each specific date. For example the calendar should give a instructions like start BCP June 1 stop BCP June ? Start Lupron injections June 5 start stim meds (5 ml Lupron 250 units Bravelle 10 ml HCG) June 20. This is of course not exact but gives you an idea what to expect. My calendar included the ultrasound and bloodwork appointment days as well as an estimated day for egg retrieval and embryo transfer.

I would call your clinic and ask for the estimated days of when to start and stop meds as well as the estimated times for your ultrasounds to check your follicles. Don't be worried about bothering them because this is what you are paying the big bucks for!

My first ultrasound and bloodwork appointment was about 4 days after my period had started and regular appointments were just a few days after.

I hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you have more questions! I had my IVF in March so it is still pretty fresh on my mind. :) good luck!

Hi LylaRylie,
Welcome to IVF. I'm starting my second IVF in a few days, so I am hoping I feel like an old pro. My RE doesn't do BCP he waits for you to naturally start your cycle (unless you are not regular), but I do know for me the monitoring every other day started 3 days after AF came. So if you are doing BCP for 2 weeks, I would say it would start some time in the 3rd week.
Best of luck to you!!

I'm starting my third fresh IVF, I had one FET as well. Every clinic is slightly different. Some use BCP, some don't and depending on how your body responds dates can change. From what I have seen and experienced a typical IVF schedule with BCP is:

21 days of BCP
2-3 days later your period will come
On day 2 of your cycle starting Stims
8-10 days of Stims (stimulating hormone shots
HCG Shot
Retrieval (36 hours after HCG Shot)
Transfer (3-5 days after retrieval)
Two week wait (9-14 days depending on date of retrieval and clinic)
The whole process takes about 6 weeks. I hope my little list didn't confuse you more.

The daily monitoring and bloodwork is done while your on stims. I recommend calling your clinic and having the nurse make an estimated calendar for you. Most clinics will do this.

I wish you luck. Hopefully you'll have your pregnancy on your first try.

There is a separate group on here for IVFers:

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/mommies-and-daddies-to-be-2011

Here is what my calendar was. I hope this helps.

3 weeks of BCP
After 2 weeks of BCP, started Lupron for two weeks.
Had baseline ultrasound and bloodwork a couple days before starting Gonal-F.
Decreased Lupron dose and started Gonal-F.
I had ultrasounds and blood work every 2-4 days before egg retrieval.
Egg retrieval was about 11 days after Gonal-F started.
Embryo transfer was 5 days later.
First pregnancy test was 9 days after embryo transfer, second was two days after that.


Good luck to you!

sorry forgot...HCG Trigger shot was given two days before egg retrieval. Started progesterone the night after the egg retrieval. Use ice to numb before IM shots and heat to help it absorb.

You already got great answers, so I just want to wish you good luck!! Once you start stims it goes quickly. I only had 3 ultrasounds before retrieval. IVF is an exciting and scary time, but the nurses and your doctor will gladly help you with any questions. :-)