In Vitro Fertilization Protocol Using Ganirelix or Cetrotide
Ganirelix (Antagonist) IVF Protocol Calendar
USING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Last birth control pill (of about 17 pills) |
2 Nothing |
3 Nothing |
4 Nothing |
5 Nothing |
6 Baseline blood and ultrasound Start stimulation shots (FSH) in evening |
7 Stimulation day 2 |
| 8 Stimulation day 3 |
9 Stimulation day 4 |
10 Stimulation day 5 Blood and ultrasound |
11 Stimulation day 6 Start of Ganirelix |
12 Stimulation day 7 Blood and ultrasound Ganirelix |
13 Stimulation day 8 Ganirelix |
14 Stimulation day 9 Blood and ultrasound – follicles now are ready “Trigger shot” at night |
| 15 | 16 Egg Retrieval Procedure |
17 Fertilization check in morning Start progesterone |
18 | 19 Embryo Transfer Procedure Day 3 transfer of cleavage stage embryos |
20 | 21 Embryo Transfer Procedure Day 5 transfer of blastocyst stage embryos |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 Blood pregnancy test |
Key to antagonist IVF schedule:
Blood and ultrasound = blood test for IVF hormone values (estrogen levels in IVF stimulation are important) and transvaginal ultrasound to measure the follicle sizes in the ovaries. These visits usually take about 20-30 minutes in our offices and can be scheduled as early as 6:30AM.
Ganirelix = subcutaneous injection of a medication (GnRH antagonist). This drug is taken once daily starting on about day 6 of stimulation.
Stim = ovarian stimulation. Involves subcutaneous injection of a medication containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which causes multiple follicles containing eggs to develop in the ovaries. Ovarian stimulation usually lasts about 8-11 days.
HCG injection = subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of a medication called HCG, which causes the eggs to complete the maturation process. This is taken only once in the cycle.
Progesterone = vaginal cream or suppositories or intramuscular injection of a medication (female hormone) called progesterone. This drug helps to prepare a receptive uterine lining for embryo implantation.
Egg retrieval procedure = procedure to get eggs from the ovaries
Embryo transfer procedure = procedure to put embryos in the uterus
- The example above is a fairly typical IVF cycle.
- Most patients will need 4 visits for monitoring the stimulation (shown as “Blood and Ultrasound” on the calendar) before the HCG trigger shot.
- Some women will need only 3 monitoring visits and some may require 5 or even 6 visits.
- It depends on the woman’s response to the ovarian stimulating medications.
