Im scared of IVF

I dont know why though. I cannot pinpoint what it is that scares me.

I know Im scared of anesthesia. I HATE it so much I get myself NUTS thinking about even being out for 5 minutes. I cry hysterically at the dentist if I need twillight and I am obsessing about it I think.

Other then that , I think Im so so scared of the emotional investment. Some of you ladies seem to handle it so well and Im so impressed and floored by your strength.

I knew I had fears or would not have put this off as long as I did ( the 13 iuis and the lack of "talking " about IVF for so many months) .

Was anyone REALLY nervous before their first...Why am I so scared and of what?????

Re: Im scared of IVF

I was pretty nervous about the first...not the shots or the anesthesia, but the unknown...

I was the first out of anyone I know to do IVF, and I had no one to really talk to about it. I was in the dark. Thank goodness for IVF-C. That helped me sooooooooooooo much.

I know you have done injectible iui's, and believe it or not, this is not too much different. Just more monitoring, and the retrieval. The transfer is just like an iui. I swear, the anesthesia is the BEST I have ever had. I have ALWAYS gotten sick any time I was put out, but NOT for this. You lay down in the OR, the anesthesiologist says hi, and the next thing you know you are waking up (and grabbing for that sheet to see how many eggs they got ).

You know you have us here to talk to anytime you need!!

Re: Im scared of IVF

thanks Lisa!

I guess I needed to hear more examples of what it was like.

were you groggy coming home from the Retrieval? I hate being the car when Im doped up...LOL...I knwo such a silly fear but I had surgery in March and I think they let me leave the hospital too soon. I was FAR from home and I was so sick and freaking out int he car fromt he anesthesia, its still fresh on my mind.

Re: Im scared of IVF

Its a VERY light anesthesia, you are totally out, but only for a short time, so waking up is easy.

I didn't really feel groggy after, just HUNGRY , and maybe a little crampy. Not more than AF cramps though. We drive home to Suffolk from Manhattan and I am fine. I usually bring a pillow in the car with me to hug on the way home. Just my thing...Oh, and we usually stop for luch...lol.

Message edited 7/23/2006 9:09:34 AM.

Re: Im scared of IVF

thanks Lisa for humoring me. The worst part about me is Im a DETAIL FREAK. I need all the little details to feel better or knowledgable and it drives people ( and Drs) nuts! I appreciate your info so much!

Re: Im scared of IVF

Just wanna send you some virtual huggies!!!

Re: Im scared of IVF

Like Lisa said, it is very light anasthesia and you are out for a short period of time. You will be a trooper.
We are all here for you

Re: Im scared of IVF

i was terrified before starting ivf and several times along the way, but it is sooooo managable. the anesthesia was nothing, i woke up and ate pound cake and drank ginger ale!! the drive home (from suffolk to queens) was fine, i was on the phone the whole time, giving the report to everyone and as soon as we got to queens, my dh and i got lunch!! it was really fine.

the injections are fine. i'm sure you can handle that. the daily visits for blood and sono can be a bit much at times, but before you know it, you are getting your eggs retrieved and you are sooooo excited that everything worked that you forget all about it!!

be hopeful and always ask questions if you feel anxious or worried. we are all here for you!!


dh and i also went to a therapist that specializes in couples with fertility issues. she has been very helpful! fm me if you want her info.

Message edited 7/23/2006 1:07:49 PM.

Re: Im scared of IVF

I think the worst part about the procedure is the WAITING (waiting for your follicles to grow, waiting to hear about your blood work, waiting to hear the results of the retrieval and then worst of all waiting to hear if you are pregnant). I just can't stand the waiting game!

Go for it! If the Anesthesia is your biggest worry then the rest will come easy to you. It wasn't bad at ALL...I got demerol and I wasn't never completely out during my transfer. I was just relaxed during the procedure and afterwards I was wide awake. You'll be fine!!! GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide....

Re: Im scared of IVF

Re: Im scared of IVF

You are so strong and have made it through all those IUI's ( I couldn't have done 13) ...you will do great. I wish you lot's of luck

Re: Im scared of IVF

Donna -- I have had horrible reactions to anasthesia -- nauseous for days - but the anasthesia for the iVF is actually...well...FUN!! I woke up feeling fine, just a little chilly. I was chatting away! When teh RE said he wanted to put me under for the transfer as well, I was actually glad.

We went out after retieval and got brunch. And after transfer, we went to New Orleans the next day. I had NO side effects, no tiredness, no crampiness, nothing.

I was nervous about IVF too - but tried to see it as the best chance I had for getting pg. If you focus on the positive, and forget whatever negative you think there is (because there really isn't any, except of course the WAITING as mentioned above and that happens with IFV, BD, or IUI regardless!!), you will be fine. ANd we are all here for you to talk to if you have questions or just want some comfort.

You will be amazed how nervous you were once it is over with....

Message edited 7/23/2006 2:08:51 PM.

Re: Im scared of IVF

hsoi!!
I am new here...this is my first post and I wanted to reply to you immed. I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was down-right petrified.

I will tell you the honest to lord above truth...EVERYTHING YOU HEAR IS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.
I am scared of anesthesia, shots...being where I am out of control and have no say---like laying there for these things with my legs up.

I have two kids---10 and 11. I could never get prego after that--my doctor lost his license--who knows if he did anything. I went to doctor for like three years--(infertility doctor) and wasted time considering the next step.
Long story short, I need a drink for the first absolute time to stick a shot in my stomach, when I did I was like thats it????
progesterone shots...I got a script for EMLA cream. I have to ask if the shot was done--I cant feel a darn thing. HONEST IM NOT lying>
aNESTHESIA...OH MY..by the time you get to that after doing all that work you will be anxious but you know no better***
I do not do well under anesthesia-not even the dentist like you.
The nurse laughed and said this is the best part--you are never getting any better drugs then these! and no joke shes right--and its over in what feels like 2 minutes.
I woke up fijne--not groggy and had no problems.
I can go on and on---I am waiting August 1st for my prego test---Im done with my first ivf cycle.
If you have any questions email me whenever---I can be your ivf buddy and validate your feels or let you know--and will talk you through it.
Trust me...don't think about it and do it...
You new thing should be..I will do as much as i can until I know I have tried and can not regret anything...if you can't handle any part of it you can always quit..
trust me..it is truly nothing***
best of luck

Re: Im scared of IVF

Donna,

I am/was still petrified. I absolutely did not want to do IVF, but here I am two days away from my retrevial! The whole process is a roller coaster of emotions. However, I keep focussing on the end result...a little or or maybe multiples of one or each. At this point I will take whatever I can get! LOL....I will post all about my experience over the next few days!

Re: Im scared of IVF

DONNA,

sorry--i SAW YOUR POSTING AND THOUGHT your question was recent. you must be already 1/2 through your shots and such.
I still don't mind hearing it when you need to.
I understand you are still scared about the procedure understandably so. It will be over so fast is all I can say. Every one is different too, I wish a quick procedure and no recovery time for you like mine! good luck!

Re: Im scared of IVF

Re: Im scared of IVF

I give you credit for going through all those IUI's! The thought of IVF was overwhelming for me but not scary.

Don't be scared, the injections you'll get used to and the anestesia is nothing. The anestesiologist(sp?) asked me a question and next thing I knew I was laying in recovery eating crackers and drinking apple juice, I felt like I was 5 lol. The anticipation of the whole thing was worse than the procedure itself. I was just a bit crampy afterward.

The transfer was CAKE. I felt NOTHING..I thought I would be cramping or something and I felt nothing!

Good luck to you and I hope your grant allows you to do IVF

Re: Im scared of IVF

I really think its the anesthesia Im scared of , and maybe all the "Scheduling" ...appointments etc.

Obviously I have done injectables so Im ok with those ...Well ok...Im scared of the PIO.

Idont know WHAT im scared of

Re: Im scared of IVF

I'm scared of the PIO too, every time DH stands over me with the needle lol

I was also concerned with the anestesia..I've only had it 2x's before and it was some time ago...but it was really nothing.

The whole process is kind of scary..its a ton of stuff and it's timed so precisely that you feel like the smallest mistake will screw it all up...that's how I felt anyway....

Re: Im scared of IVF

Sending you HUGE