IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Hi ladies!
I recently found out that I must get IVF, absolutely. This came up so quickly. I never imagined I would ever need this. I am prone to anxiety, so ofcourse, I'm anxious. Truthfully, throughout my life, the only way I can deal with anxiety is to be talked out of things and reassured. I keep reading all of your stories and noticing that no one has had too horrendous of side effects or mental breakdowns. Those are my two fears about taking hormones and going through ER. This is tough because I literally feel like starting to take the bcps is like getting on a line to a rollercoaster and I want to get off the line.

I just know that I must do IVF if I ever want a baby and I want one badly!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Most important communicate with your RE its important to know every step, medication and I think that will help. It's different for everyone I think but in the end it's all worth it every pill, needle and hormonal tear.

Good luck!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Honestly? IVF wasn't difficult on me physically. Emotionally, it was only difficult when it didn't work.

I was a little bloated, a little uncomfortable but really IVF gives you the highest percentage in a given cycle to get pregnant. If we could afford it I'd definitely try it again...in a heartbeat. Once you start stimming it all goes so quickly that you really don't think too much about it.

What specifically is making you nervous?

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

for me, the thought of IVF was harder than actually going through it. i didn't have any crazy emotional side effects and it actually wasn't that bad. you're only taking the shotes for 10-12 days anyway (the stims at least).

in all honesty, it was MUCH easier than i thought it would be.

if you have any questions, feel free to FM me!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

As someone who swore she would never be able to handle IVF, I have to tell you that it's truly not that bad. You just take everything day by day and step by step. Physically, there were times that I was uncomfortable, but nothing unbearable.

Best of luck to you!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

It's not...for me anyway. I HATE needles, I HATE going to Manhattan and I am a neurotic anxiety ridden person on a good day. Yet, every night, I'm shooting myself with needles, running to the city every other day. I keep my anxiety down but just telling myself all I can do is follow Drs orders and everything else is out of my control. I'm not even at transfer yet and I'm SURE I'll be a mess if this first round doesn't work, but, this is what I'm doing during to keep calm.

What was your diagnosis for needing IVF? Just wondering b/c some REs move to IVF quicker than others. Most told me IVF is the best bet, but that I could stay with a few more rounds of IUI if I wanted. We were OOP so we waited a little longer than we should have.

After a few months of med IUIs they suspected my issue was my tubes (endo which was confirmed and removed with a lap but can still come back and constrict the tubes)

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

I am the biggest baby ever and it was honestly not that bad physically (the only problem I was was a reaction to the anesthesia, which caused me to throw up repeatedly the day of the retrieval).

Emotionally, however, is another issue. If it doesn't work, it is really devastating. I have been TTC for a year and a half and I have had my ups and downs, but this failed IVF cycle really hit me hard. I think part of the problem was that I really was convinced that it was going to work. I was even stupidly thinking of baby names and thinking about whether or not I would be able to teach summer school.

Don't worry about the cycle-you can do it. Be positive, but also be prepared for it not to work.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

for me it was a piece of cake.

the needles were nothing- i actually looked forward to them because i knew each one was closer to bringing me my baby---little did i know that would mean babies - plural!

the retreival was nothing- i was at the beach that afternoon.

the transfer was so simple.

i never got over stimulated so my bloating was very minimal.


i think everyones experience was different- but you will find that the people posting are positng because they had a bad experience. so what you read on the internet will be mostly negative. the people who had a good experience are not posting about it ususally.

anyway, i wish you a ton of luck! youll do great. trust your dr.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

When you first get into it, it may seem overwhelming with the amount of testing, meds and monitoring you must do. But once they gave me a calendar with everything written out on specific days, it was sooo much easier to handle. One day at a time. It wasn't bad AT all!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

For me...just pure emotional hell!
The procedures are not bad at all...it becomes old hat real quck!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Honestly, IVF is not that bad, it just depends on your Dr and the support staff at the office. Sure, you are uncomfortable at times and the injections get a little painful but it's all worth it!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Ok, thanks everyone. Reading this did make me feel better. My biggest fear is side effects to the medications.

I kind of understand what you mean about the emotional effects. I just posted about how I have to balance my hormones now before I can get IVF. So, now my new biggest fear is IVF failing or not taking place because of me not seeing the right endocrinologist and getting the right treatment. My DH literally has one chance at this. I am completely healthy except for TSH and a few other hormones going slightly high. My DH is getting an mTese, and it has to be within a few months. We can't miss this opportunity!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

you can probably tell from many of my posts/and ivf journal that Im also generally very nervous and anxious. I worried about EVERYTHING. In retrospect, I really wish I relaxed a little more and trusted the drs more.
The needles were not bad at all. First night was the worst as we were just learning the proocess. I also nover overstimmed so I wasn't really to bloated or uncomfortable until after the retrieval. the most uncomforrtable week was probably the week from my retrieval until I received a BFP.. I was really bloated from the progesterone.
Appts were bearable and I was never late for work. I agree with the PPs, talk to your RE about your concerns, and definitely talk to us..
The girls on this board kept me sane and cheered me on the whole way, which was really helpful.
I sincerely wish you a lot of luck..
I also want to add that accupuncture and meditation cd's really helped me a lot as well.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Thanks Journey! I've been following your story a bit. Even though I don't know you in real life, on these boards you always come across as a very kind person.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

It took me about a week to get over it when my RE told me this as well. But, then DH said we should be happy because we finally have some answers to what our next step is. I at first was nervous about taking hormones but, its pretty much been no big deal just some bloat. I just am terrified of the BFN that is what scares me after you invest so much time and energy. I have not had the procedure yet but, I am not worried. The biggest issue for me was money because of my no insurance for IF. If you have that on your side more then half the stress is gone. Good luck and feel free if you want to talk to Fm me.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Message edited 2/27/2012 7:11:22 PM.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

It was tough emotionally and some physical things like bloating and the doc appts. But its not all that bad. Its a road that while you are on i goes so fast, and then you look back and say "did I just do that"


Best of luck to you, and FM me if you have any questions!!

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

I think it really depends on who you ask, as everyone's situation is unique. I found IVF totally manageable physically, but a negative or a loss from IVF is so much harder on an emotional level, in my opinion.

You invest a lot more financially into an IVF cycle than TI/IUI... and on an emotional level, just knowing it's a 'last step' of sorts, turns it into a very emotionally draining process.

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

Re: IVF- Tell me it's not that bad...

From a girl who has a anxietry disorder and suffers panic attacks, it wasn't bad AT ALL!! The first two days I would say were the worst when you had to inject yourself for the first time, but after that it be came second nature. The emotional aspect of infertility though is different as you would imagine. Physically though, you get sooo used to it, it just become second nature