Decided to move on to IVF...

And now I'm terrified.

I got my CD 3 bloodwork done today, plus HcG levels to make sure I went down to zero, plus a Recurrent Pregnancy Loss panel of bloodwork to see if I have any issues that are preventing me from sustaining a pregnancy.

I lost count at 17 vials of blood.

So, any recommendations, advice, words of wisdom about the IVF process?

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

have no good advice just wanted to wish you lots of luck and

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Don't worry, its not as scary as people think it is!

I certainly wouldn't have done this many if it was that horrible.

Any questions, feel free to FM me!!! Good luck!!!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Good luck!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Lots of luck....Dont be scared. It is very overwhelming. I think the most overwhelming part is all the stuff you have to do prior to it, and when you get all those meds. Once you are in the process it gets more exciting and easier.
Best of luck and keep us updated

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

I think it's the best decision for you. Even though you did get PG this last month, it didn't stick and IVF will help you over that hurdle. Good luck to you and lot's of this cycle.

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Don't be scared. Take it one step at a time.

I found that the process would have overwhelmed me 6 months ago but as I started to lose hope in IUI's and their low success rate I started to get impatient and just said... That's it... BRING IT ON!!! I'll be 36 October 1st and enough is enough.

First, a bit of unsolicited advice. PCOS is more complicated that some other infertility factors. In our society today we ingest and do a lot of things to make it much worse. I've been reading up on a lot of holistic approaches and putting many of them into practice. You seem to have a lot of the same symptoms as me. Here are some things PCOS should absolutely stay away from to improve their chances...

1. Refined sugar

2. Absolutely, no, never, don't even think about it, aritifical sweetners

3. Limit carbs- severely limit white flour. If you go out to eat get meat, chicken or fish with a double green veggie... substitute the potato. Reg potatos are awful... It hurts to say that because I'm Irish...lol.

4. No caffeine... I know, I know.. I miss my cappucinos but what do we want here? A baby!! Cut back gradually and then go cold turkey. Tea is MUCH better for you anyway. I drink 3 cups a day of a Chinese herbal tea that is supposed to regulate women hormonally. My ex-boyfriend was a doctor of Chinese Med and he had me on the same herbs in pill form when we were dating to regulat my PCOS. He would freak out when I would bring up the birth control pill. He was convinced it did women a lot of harm and just masks medical issues.

5. Alcohol- turns to sugar in your body and this is the enemy of PCOS women as we don't process insulin well. I'm lucky because DH and his family rarely drink and we, not our friends are bar people any more. We are boring homebodies...lol.

6. Warm baths nightly- As women get older the blood flow to their ovaries decreases and this decrease of bloodflow starves the ovaries. Can't have healthy eggies or any eggies at all if their is "blood stasis". So I take my injections and sit in the tub for at least 20 minutes every night. Too bad I didn't say yes when the electrician asked if I wanted to wire the bathroom for cable...lol.

7. Food- try to eat as organically as possible. Milk and meats are pumped with hormones and this is a contributing factor to PCOS. I know it's more expensive but try to buy organic and hormone free meats, milk and veggies whenever possible.

8. Hot food- I know it's not the season... Kara had a post on this a few months ago but it goes along with the same theory as the baths. No ice in drinks! Lots of water... can be cool but should be closer to room temp. Iced drinks require too much energy of the body to cool down the drink. Again, decaf or herbal tea a few times a day... yes hot. Soup but watch the amout of pasta in canned soup. White flour is the enemy. If you are craving pasta Barilla has a very good whole grain in a yellow box. It needs to be hot to warm the uterus.


Be prepared that there will be a lot of doctor's appts.
I started stimming last Saturday and have been at NSUH on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and today for bloodwork and sono. I don't know how I would have done that while teaching school. It's very day to day as they will take blood, do a sono and call you the same afternoon telling you if you should adjust your meds that night and if they need to see you in the morning. If I was teaching I would have to prepare a sub plan every day before I left due to the possibility of having an appt. the next day I'm bascially grounded and can't make definite plans for these weeks but what's more important?

Lauren, I truly believe this is the right step for you. PCOS women tend to respond very well to injectables. I'm doing well right now. They lowered my dosage twice from 150mg of Follustim to 100, then the next day 50. Right now they are showing 20 follicles but it is too early to get excited. That's still great because I was the girl who couldn't ovulate on Clomid untiul it was the 4th month and they tripled and extended the dose

If you have any questions we are all hear for you.

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

it's overwelming at times, but very managable. you will be amazed at how fast the time goes by and in alot of ways you get pumped up, feeling like you have some "power" to make this happen.

best of luck to you!!!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

I am with you on the the hestitation to move to IVF. I was so very nervous, now I really am not. All I know is that I want a child and if this is how I am supose to do this, then off we go! I am all about the petri-dish baby!

Best of Luck!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Lauren...no words of advice, but if you need to talk or vent, call me!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

No advise, just lots of and tons of .

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Good luck, Lauren!!!!
I know this will be the ticket!!!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Like the other ladies said, the process does seem overwhelming, but if you take it day by day you will master it in no time. It really isn't that bad. I'll be praying this is it for you!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Don't be scared or nervous, its def very overwhelming at 1st but once you get started and get the whole process going with the meds, etc., its like clockwork, for me it was anyway. When you start its like there is no end in sight but after a week or so time starts to fly by and you realize that your ER and ET are so close!

I don't know if it interests you but I found the Anji Guided Imagery cd's for IVF super helpful on the days when I just didn't feel great. They helped me relax which I found super beneficial to the whole process which can be pretty stressful.

Once I was knee deep into it, I was actually cautiously excited bc I felt that this was in fact the right direction for dh and I to do, and it was. Good luck to you and tons of

Message edited 7/14/2006 10:26:59 AM.

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

Lauren, I don't have any advice, but I wanted to wish you TONS AND TONS of Luck

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

No advice but lots of

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

I agree with everyone... It is not as scary as it seems and once you get the hang of giving yourself the injections soon enough it will become like 2nd nature.

Lots of luck to you!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

I have no advice for you but I want to send you many hugs and prayers

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

good luck!

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

It is really not so bad. f you think of it all together its easy to get ovewhelmed but break it down one step at a time and its a breeze. My clinic teahces each med/injection sperately. Some do one class when they teach you all of them. If you can do one at a time. I would have been overwhelmed with everything at once. And dont hesitate to ask us a million questions.


T- sounding good for you. They always had to increase my doses.

Re: Decided to move on to IVF...

PRaying for you Lauren!