Starting IVF

Hi Ladies,

I've been reading this board for a long time but never posted. I'm starting IVF and feel like I need people to talk to that understand what I'm going through!

I went to my day 2 appointment today and just got the results of my baseline blood work. Estrogen is 41 and FSH is 11.1. They said both are ok, but FSH is slightly high. I start my shots tonight - 300iu of Follistim and 75iu of Menopur.

I'm nervous for the shots and side effects but excited at the same time!! I'd love to hear your experiences and any advice you may have!!

Starting IVF

Good Luck to you!

The shots scared when I did them my first round back in 2010. It took me about 20 minutes to get the courage to actually do it but when I did it I thought wow that was it. It didnt hurt going in at all just a little sting but I thought it would be torture and it wasn't. The side effects I had was some bloating and an emotional mess but overall it was not bad at all.

Starting IVF

Welcome. Wishing you the best of luck. I've done it all- IUIs, IVFs, and FETS. I was eventually successful. The shots aren't so bad once you get used to them. It really all becomes routine. I didn't have any major side effects. My advice is be your own best advocate and ask lots of questions. You can do this! Any specific questions, just ask.

Starting IVF

Good luck!! It is so exciting to start ivf the shots scared me at first too especially since I had to do them all IM but I found having my husband do them really helped me. The biggest side effect for me was being an emotional mess. I actually didn't think I was but looking back I definitely am a mess when I'm on hormones :) good luck, keep us updated, praying you only have to do this once!

Re: Starting IVF

Thanks Everyone!! I had my husband give me the shots last night and it wasn't so bad. This morning I did the Follistim myself and it hurt more then when he did it, but I think I was just nervous so my hand was a little shaky. I'm sure it'll get easier with practice. Best of luck to all of you and thanks for the support.

Re: Starting IVF

once you do the first one or two, it gets easier and becomes sort of a new normal for two weeks.

I bruised a lot but thats probably b/c I was going too deep or too hard with the shots. I found follistim to go easier in my thigh than the stomach.

ice the area before and after. I still have little teething ice packs from when DS was a baby and I stuck those in my waist band for a few minutes before and after.

The menopur was a little thick and burned but I used two vials at a time for 150 Ius.

good luck. and it will be over before you know it!

Starting IVF

For me the worst part of IVF was the anticipation.

I have done 3 IVFs and one FET and each time I felt like my cycle flew by. The shots were never as bad as I made them out to be in my head and by my last IVF I was doing them myself. For my first two I was so nervous I used to make DH do them for me.

You may have to do a little trial and error to find where it's best to do your shots but after a few days you will have the hang of it.

Retrieval and transfer were pretty good too. If you get nervous or have anxiety you can ask them to give you a valium for transfer (I took one for all of my transfers).

Like other ladies said the emotional part is probably the hardest. Coming on this board and venting, asking questions, etc was extremely helpful for me. Basically talking to anyone who knows or has been through IVF helped me a lot.

Good luck

Re: Starting IVF

IVF can be overwhelming with looking at the huge box full of meds.

I took all my meds and separated them into ziplocks w the day marked on them. Every night after my doses, I'd put the next day's bag out on the counter. Not seeing EVERYTHING out staring at me every day really helped.

Injectable meds had practically no side effects for me. Clomid was worse! DH did all my injections - I just didn't look lol

Retrieval and transfer were a piece of cake too. Transfer was very emotional for me. Something about watching those embies going into me had me crying for a solid 20 minutes. It was all so strange to me.

This board was my lifeline through all of it. The support here is wonderful.


Best of luck to you!!

Message edited 5/11/2016 2:46:26 PM.

Re: Starting IVF

good luck to you! I'm hoping to start soon and i'm nervous as well..so I have no advise....but I wish you the best of luck!!

Re: Starting IVF

Good Luck!