Antagonist Protocol with birth control pills?

Hi, it's a while since I had my IVF cycle but similar to you, I was on birth control for a month. Then I was on down regulation after that. My clinic called it the long protocol (lasting 8 weeks or so) and the idea behind the birth control was to prevent any cysts forming but also to time the cycle correctly, if I remember right. I can't remember the exact reason for that protocol and not the short one but it worked for me, so don't worry. I'm sure they wouldn't recommend it if they didn't think it would work.

Make sure you have a little notebook to write down questions as they come into your head and ask them at your appointments. IVF is like learning a new language so it does help to write things down. Best of luck!

Hi pMauz. The aim of using an antagonist is that by not suppressing (down regulating) your ovaries with nasal spray, the stimulation injections work with your own hormones and then the antagonist just stops you ovulating before egg collection. The benefit of using this type of drug is that an antagonist cycle means all the drugs are usually given within a 2 week period of time so it ends up as a shorter process. Hope all goes well with it all. Diane