Next step IVF

After 2 years of trying and 3 failed iui's we will try ivf next. Our problem is MF, very low sperm count...last iui less than one million.
I've never had more than a root canal in my life...I'm scared. What should I expect?
Was it not as bad or worse than you expect?
Anything you did to mentally or physically prepare?

Next step IVF

Hugs to you. It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I will tell you pulling the trigger on that first shot took me a while- DH did all my shots. Soon it became my new normal. Prepare for the idea that there is a plan and then another plan might have to be used and it's ok. I also iced before a shot.

Next step IVF

Obviously if you've never had any procedure done before it's going to be a bit scarier, I had a major surgery at the start of fertility problems, before that though I was in the same boat, never a procedure done. But it's really not that bad. The worst part honestly was the shots and the bloating/uncomfortable feeling from the follicles growing in overtime. I felt like an overripe fruit tree meets pin cushion. The retrieval they knock you out but it's easy and other then cramping the recovery isn't bad. The transfer is easy.

The good thing is IVF sea to be a good answer for motility issues. Are they going to do ICSI?

Re: Next step IVF

Re: Next step IVF

It's really not as bad as it is in your head. Take it one day/shot at a time. You will get through it and it will all be worth it. Try to not let it consume you and go on with your life while doing what you need to do.

Message edited 12/6/2014 8:36:27 AM.

Re: Next step IVF

I think we were all just like you you. I did not take coming to terms with IVF lightly at first. But after 3 years, 6 failed IUIs I started my IVF journey the first week of October. The shots are not as scary and painful as you think. You become a pro after a while. I can happily say that we had a successful 1st IVF cycle with ICSI and I am now 6 weeks pregnant with twins. Just breathe and always remind yourself how bad you and your husband want this. Good luck to you. You will do just fine

Re: Next step IVF

IVF was not as bad as I expected. I think I had built it up so much in my head as being so scary that I was pleasantly surprised when it was much easier than I thought it would be. For me, the hardest part was giving myself the shot for the first time but after the first time I did it, it became routine. The needles for the meds were so tiny and so sharp that I barely felt them. One tip is if you are on multiple meds to ask the nurse or your doctor if they can be combined. I didn't realize until about halfway through my cycle that the 2 meds I was on could be combined into the same shot. So I was giving myself two shots a night, when I could have only been doing one!
I actually wish that we had tried IVF sooner, we did 6 or 7 failed IUIs before moving on to IVF. IVF was what ultimately worked for us. Good luck!

Re: Next step IVF

I agree with the other posters the shots are not as bad as you may think. The first one is the most difficult then by your third day it's nothing. I never had my DH inject me(he makes me nervous) so I've always done them myself.

Good Luck

Re: Next step IVF

I don't think it was as bad as I thought . I got used to the shots and like previous poster I iced area before . We had MF issues as well and it worked for us! I go for my first sono Monday!

Message edited 12/6/2014 4:25:43 PM.

Next step IVF

I started my first IVF cycle in July and had my retrieval and transfer the first week in August -- and I can relate to your excitement and nerves about the procedure! I freaked out when I got my first medication delivery and laid everything out on my dining room table -- it looks like soooooo much stuff, but my best advice is to just take everything one day at a time. I freaked out the first night of my injections -- it took me forever to mix the meds and load the needle (okay, it was probably 25 minutes but felt like forever -- I was getting frustrated and started to cry -- DH tried to calm me down, I snapped at him, he yelled at me, I yelled back at him -- can you picture this in your mind?!?!) Well, long story short, the nightly injections just became part of our routine. I eventually ended up mixing the meds and loading the needle in like 2 minutes flat (I felt like one of those race car pit crews changing a tire) and DH gave me the shot in less than a minute. Just remember to breathe, take it easy, and keep your eyes on the prize -- you are going through all of this for the greatest gift ever -- a baby!!! I was very fortunate and my first IVF cycle resulted in a BFP. I'm currently 20 weeks with a baby girl. Our issue was also male related -- DH had both low count and motility. We had ICSI done on all the eggs retrieved. I wish you nothing but the best! Feel free to FM me if you need anything!

Next step IVF

Thank you all for your feedback. I feel so much better hearing it will be ok. Congrats to you all who have went through it and worked
I go for my appointment Tuesday when we are planning everything and will ask about combining meds. My husband will have to give the shots. I couldn't even give myself a trigger shot.
I am nervous about all the bloating. I thought it was bad with the clomid 50 mgbut I know the end result will be worth it. Thank you for all the well wishes, I may have more questions this week and it's so nice to know there are women like you to help

Next step IVF

I originally felt disappointed that we had to move onto ivf considering I got pregnant with my son on my own after a year and then it took 19 months to get pregnant this second time. 2 TI and 6 iuis later we were ready to move onto ivf. We have slight male factor (low morphology) so our dr said ivf is perfect for us. I have to admit when the meds got delivered I freaked a bit bc there's sooo much! I actually wrote myself a timeline of what I needed to take each day and it worked out perfect! The shots aren't bad at all! First night dh did them for me then I did them the next night and I actually liked giving them to myself bc I had control. For warning, the menopur shot burns so the slower you inject the better! Fast forward to retrieval, I had never been put to sleep before so I was nervous about that! But it was totally fine and I woke up feeling good!! First ivf worked for us even though I thought it didn't but to my surprise did and I'm now 7 weeks with a singleton and heard the heartbeat the other day! Good luck!!'!' If you have any other questions just ask us or you can always PM me!