Premature ovulation on SGFC protocol

[Anonymous]

I just started an IVF cycle with Shady Grove in DC. In light of their patient load, and in order to fit you into their schedule, they give you a protocol which requires you to take birth control pills for 2-3 weeks before you start with your follicle stimulation. They also have you take Lupron injections to keep you from ovulating. During this time, they do not monitor you by sono or blood work. I went in for monitoring today after taking the pill for 2 weeks. My nurse just called with my blood work results and she said I ovulated despite taking the lupron, which is going to set my treatment cycle back (she couldn't tell me by how long). Has this ever happened to anyone? It is obviously disappointing, but I'm also concerned about the lack of monitoring, etc.

[Anonymous]

This just happened to me, too!

Although I actually don't they use the bcps to fit us into their schedule - it is part of a standard IVF protocol that some clinics like to use.

My nurse told me that I could start my stims as soon as they confirmed that my hormone levels were down, so that could be in two days if I get my period tomorrow or in 7 if it takes until next Friday. Any longer and they'll likely cancel the cycle.

[Anonymous]

It's REALLY unusual to ovulate through lupron (despite there being 2 posters here!).
I haven't heard of any clinics that do ultrasound monitoring during this stage of the protocol. This isn't something that is unique to Shady Grove.
I'm sorry this happened to you. How frustrating!

A great place for more info on ivf is ivfconnections.com. It's a good place to hear about the experiences of 100's of others who are going through IVF. I have learned so much there over the past 3 years (have done IVF for 2 kids).

[Anonymous]

I worried about the same thing when they told me my protocol and did a lot of research. I couldn't find anyone that monitors women while on BCPs. This isn't SGFC trying to get you "on their schedule" this is a standard IVF practice.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. The way it was explained to me at SGFC was that the purpose of putting patients on the pill was for them to be able to control the schedule. It's a very different experience from my last (failed) IVF cycle. I was previously treated by a physician who didn't take insurance so the patient load was much smaller. There they adapted their schedules to your body's natural cycle rather than the other way around. In any event, hopefully once I finally start my cycle at SGFC it will work.

[Anonymous]

I've just completed my first, thankfully successful, IVF, and did not use Shady Grove, but did use the bcp/Lupron method with my clinic. My clinic was very emphatic about taking the Lupron at the EXACT same time every day, down to the minute, even before I started stims. They said they had seen patients take it as little as 3 minutes late and ovulate early. I think this was a bit of a scare tactic, but if SG didn't push the timeliness of the shot, possibly this is what happened in your case.