Can you plan ivf for a particular time?

[gleerocks123]

I've tried googling but I'm not sure how to phrase the question! I'm a teacher, and so getting time off work is tricky. We're planning to have IVF next year but want to take minimal time off work - is it possible to time it so it coincides with, say, the Easter holidays? Obviously it might not work first time etc, but if it's possible to at least get a few appointments out of the way in the holidays, that would be great....

I did. I did the long protocol and started down regging whilst I was on the school summer holidays. This meant embryo transfer in Sept and my boys were born in may/June following year. Ive done icsi 3 times and done it like this. All three boys born within four weeks of each other. Good luck x

If it's a private clinic, they'll manage that for you. There will be a little flexibility required as some women need to stim for a little longer than others + you might have your transfer on Day 5 but could be day 3 etc but altogether it should be quite doable.
If you're doing a round on the NHS then not sure if you'll get much choice.

Great - it’s private so it looks like it will be possible. I was just assuming that to some extent it would be dependent on your natural cycle, or are they able to control that as well?

It depends on your protocol. I did the long one and was on the pill beforehand. If that's the case for you, then they'll be able to tell you when to stop the pill to start your cycle.

I did the long one and was on the pill beforehand
I am so sorry to ask this but I am genuinely interested.

Why would you be on the Pill before IVF?

If this is too personal please feel free to ignore.

Yes I was put on pill to time my ivf cycle. Although a little flexibility is still required as everyone responds differently to the stimming and some people need to stim for longer. Good luck x

I’ve always been put on the pill for each cycle too, currently back on for my FET in Jan. As far as I understand it’s done so that they clinic can maintain complete control over your cycle

Persian, I think they put you on the pill for a month to shut down the ovaries and manage timings.

That's interesting how different clinics do things. I was on the long protocol but was never given the pill. Started buserelin injections on day 21, had my period then started stimming on menopur.

Thank you ladies for answering my unnecessary question.

I never knew that before and now I do so thank you.

Yes you can time tho Obv May be a few days out depending on lining

But if tell clinic you want to start on a date they will control
Your body

Which is where the pill comes into it

And yes it does seem ironic to take the pill when ttc

Thanks everyone - it’s all a learning curve!

If you are on a long protocol you have more control over timing as the downregging drugs shut everything down and you can essentially start things going by stimming whenever. The downregging made me feel awful though -depressed and anxious- so I wouldn't have wanted to do it for longer than absolutely necessary. The short protocol works based on your natural cycle timings and then adds in drugs, so doesn't give as much flexibility. Some clinics seem to just do long protocol for everyone. Others adapt to the patient and advise what is likely to be best for a particular patient. NHS and busy private clinics are probably less able to be flexible on timing.

I was on the short protocol so did not take the pill beforehand. I had to wait for my period to begin, then injections started on day 2/3 of my natural cycle as far as I remember. So in that sense I couldn’t pick a day as such to begin, could just pick which month. I chose to start after I’d been away on holiday. The whole process from first injection to embryo transfer was about 3 weeks. I’m sure your clinic will be really helpful with any questions, ours were.