Preparing for IVF

babycrazy8

Hi everyone, we are preparing for our first round of IVF in late Aug or Sept. Does anyone have any good tips on how to prepare or what would be helpful during this time? I'm planning on taking a few days off after egg retrieval and the transfer. Has anyone had any big side effects from the hormones? I've done 4 rounds of IUI with injectables so hope they are the same though it will be in stronger doses! We are excited but also very nervous. Trying not to be too hopeful but still want to remain positive. Thanks for all the advice guys x

krissie281

I'm following this post. We are also starting this month. 1st time good luck to you

bookworm40

We are in the 2ww now of our 2nd fresh cycle. All I can say is patience is key. It's overwhelming in the beginning with all of the meds and timing and monitoring appts but after the first couple of days of stims you'll be a pro. Get to know the nurses at your office, they become your best friend, at least they are at mine, I can call them anytime with questions which I've done!
I had no side effects from the stims, mostly from the progesterone after the retrieval. It's a good idea to take the day after the retrieval off from work and than a couple days after the transfer. After the retrieval it's normal to feel bloated just keep drinking water.
The waiting is the hardest part. Just keep yourself positive (easier said than done) and don't be afraid to ask questions on this board! Everyone is a huge help! Wishing you lots of luck!

MrsBwIVF

My biggest suggestion is when you get all of your meds at once, to try and not freak out. Hopefully your office will give you a time line of when you need to start which meds. I would take this list and grab some gallon zip lock bags and go through it all, put each step in its own bag and label it. For me, that made it look more do able - seeing all of the steps separate and having the date on them so I knew when I'd need to start taking them. Also, set alarms on your phone to remind you to take everything on time. Towards the end, you'll think of it before the alarm goes off but it's nice to have one set daily just in case.
Also, a lot of it is in your head when it comes to injections, as PP stated, after a few days you'll get more comfortable with it. I had a few nights when a certain injection, menopur, would hurt me too much and would be scared to take it the next night. If I do this process again, I'd have a specialty chocolate waiting each night as my reward for doing all the injections.
And yes, as PP said, get comfortable with your doctor's staff. You'll have tons of questions because it's a lot to take in, so the more comfortable you are with them, the better! Our journey took us a year with our specialist and when I "graduated" to a regular ob and was hugging the nurses, I cried, a lot. DH had to literally push me out the door.
Another thing I want to add is that is is definitely ok to break down! It's such a long, drawn out, heart wrenching process to take in stride. If you need to cry it out, do it! Don't bottle it up and know that you may feel alone in this journey, but you aren't! There's lots of us, even on TB alone, that have had your same struggles. It seems the infertility board, although it's unfortunate, has been having a lot of traffic lately with a great group of women who are extremely supportive- take advantage of that!

Good luck on your journey ladies!

babycrazy8

Thanks so much for the advice ladies. It really helps and it feels good to have others to talk to about this process. It's such a lonely journey for us sometimes. Thanks @Cupcakegal930 - I will drink more water after retrieval. Good luck with the 2ww - when do you go for your bloods? Thanks @MrsBwIVF that's a good idea re: snap lock bags, makes it so much easier to see the steps along the way. I'm sure I will cry lots during the process and probably in the 2ww too! Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it. Counting the days till our IVF training! Thanks x

MKLEWIS2010

Hi I just wanted to wish you the best of luck on this journey. It's not an easy one but you will be surprised at the strength you have to get through it. Everything the pp said is great advice. Anytime you need to vent or have questions there will be someone here that understands.

jnissa

I wanted to wish you luck, too and echo what others are saying about getting organized with and not overwhelmed by the meds. The line you're trying to walk between hopeful and realistic is a struggle for all of us (and we all have our FX for you). The only other advice I would give is even if you take time off after retrieval and transfer, try to find things to do those days to keep yourself busy. That, to me, was the most dangerous time to get into my own head and get to a bad spot.

Wishing you luck! 

krbjoy

Hi! Welcome. Hope your stay is short and sweet. All of what the wonderful ladies said previously is exactly what I wanted to say. I always had a paper calendar handy for when I received instructions from the nurses. Sometimes meds need to be adjusted as the cycle carries on. I had everything set up in my home office so that I always had a quiet, private place where everything was set up and ready and I could just get in and take care of business. This was my first IVF. I'm going for my ET tomorrow. I took a couple days off after the ER. Watch movies, work a bit around the house. I found that although the bloating was nearly unbearable, moving around a bit helped. Ice and pain meds helped more. For 2 days it sucked. By the third I was more myself. Drink water, lots of water. And beware of the constipation. I have my fx for you. Keep us posted.

babycrazy8

Thanks so much @MKLEWIS2010 @jnissa @krbjoy. All this support helps in small and big ways. I will keep in mind all the suggestions and also look at getting a big paper calendar to stick on the wall. I'm a visual person and I think having something up will be a good way to remind ourselves of the bigger picture. Let us know how you go @krbjoy - I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. I don't know if anyone has tried this but I've recently bought an adult coloring in book. I find that it helps with mindfulness and really just settles my thoughts. Sounds silly but it's quite relaxing will keep you guys up to date on our progress. Thanks again x

Joyzie77

@babycrazy8 .. I think the adult coloring book is a great idea. Where did you purchase yours?

bookworm40

@babycrazy8 i'm a librarian at a public library and we just started putting out coloring sheets for adults with a box of colored pencils next to it.. I'm amazed how many adults come in here and use them!  I put the app colorfy on my IPad and find myself spending an hour a night just coloring in the pages.. 

NAPgreen

I am following this post too, we are on the same time frame!  Even though it wasn't directed towards me thank you for the ideas and thoughts and well wishes!  Everyone is so supportive here!  I am hoping that after 5 years of trying, 3 failed IUI that this is my lucky star!  Baby Dust to everyone trying!  I hope everyone has good news in a few weeks!!

MKLEWIS2010

Great idea @babycrazy8. Good luck to @NAPgreen I hope both of your stay here is short and sweet and you guys receive some support to help you through!

babycrazy8

@Cupcakegal930 I purchased mine just from our local bookstore (Whitcoulls here in New Zealand). I got the "Enchanted Forest" by Johanna Basford. It's very calming! All the best @NAPgreen - hopefully we both have some good news to share shortly xxx

ashleywillemsen

I'm about to start my first IVF cycle in Sept as well. I've had 3 failed IUIs, 1 miscarriage before that, and a laparoscopy to close off an ovary. It's been tough and I'm terrified to start IVF. If you've done IVF did your work or take time off? How did you manage stress and anxiety?

KareChristine

I start my first IVF cycle in a couple days... Will have to work throughout most of it... except for the retrieval, transfer, and the days after both procedures. Not looking forward to pretending everything is normal and hunky dory at work! I've already been dealing with stress and anxiety. I meditate and pray and make sure I have lots of down time. Watching comedies with DH always seems to help too. Good luck! Hope to hear good news in sept!

jnissa

Obviously, everybody's threshold is different here, so I can only give you my personal take on things. I didn't take any time off except for the day of the retrieval (I worked after the transfer). You'll get mixed opinions on that but there's lots of evidence that mild activity after is helpful. For me, I just assume that everything is done and finished as soon as the transfer is done and go on with my life like I'm not pregnant. I'm pretty laid back by nature though, so take that advice for what it's worth

FX that the anxiety and stress is short lived and your bfp is right around the corner. 

Joyzie77

Hi everyone,

   I just wanted to join in on the conversation. I left the doctor's office feeling a little overwhelmed today with all the information. They also asked me about preimplantation genetic screening and If I wanted to do the testing. I was already overwhelmed with the information about the process. This all will come after 1 failed IUI so I am aware of how the shots work but I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm sure it will all work itself out and I will learn as I go. I start my first injection on Friday. 

krbjoy

@Joyzie77 I'm in the process of my first IVF. Well, towards the end I guess, had my ET 2 days ago. It was a bit overwhelming in the beginning. Like others have said, you get used to it. It became pretty natural for me to do the 2 injections in the am and 2 injections in the pm. and having BW and U/S every other day. For me, staying organized and creating the routine helped a lot. Find some time to relax, and do talk to people you can trust about it. We are all here for you! Not sure I know what I'd do with out these ladies.You can do this!! FX for you.