New Member... What to expect with IVF

mrsa2017

My DH and I have started looking into doing IVF really soon since we can't have kids naturally. Long story short, 3 ectopic pregnancies over the course of 4 years and had both tubes removed so this is our only way of becoming parents. I have became a YouTube junkie,watching IVF stories but I'd like to personally talk to women about what to expect. Please share your experiences and how you prepared for the process..... I'm nervous!

baseballhoney

I'm sorry you had to go through all that! I am too going to be starting IVF hopefully in October, so I would also like to hear people's stories. I have done research on it but there is still nothing like hearing it from people who have been through it. 

sunnyd_lite

I got the call 2 days ago that our insurance approved us for IVF!...we will probably be starting in Sept/Oct as well.

mrsa2017

@sunnyd_lite unfortunately our insurance does not cover the procedure. What is even more saddening is that if they find out that it's a "planned pregnancy," my insurance would not cover doctor visits after. So we have to keep this procedure like a secret.

mrsa2017

Thank you @baseballhoney. Talking with you ladies will be my solace because Noone else really understands. My DH only understands to an extent but I told him that his only part during this entire process is really putting his "boys" in a cup! 

baseballhoney

@mrsa2017 I know! My DH tries, but sometimes he just doesn't get it. And their part is so easy. But then, mine has to put up with my moods, which is definitely not easy!

mrsa2017

He hasn't seen "moods" yet until those pregnancy hormones kicks in lol.... Have you watched alot of IVF stories on YouTube as well? @baseballhoney

mrsa2017

There is a book called "It's Starts with an Egg" it is a must read as I was informed by a close friend who did IVF and now has a beautiful baby boy. She said it teach especially you about what to do to increase your egg quality. My book will be delivered this weekend and I don't plan to put it down lol..... 

baseballhoney

I haven't yet. We only talked to our new RE on Tuesday and it has been a busy week so far. I have researched online, but I didn't think of YouTube. I will have to try it. I will also have to find that book on amazon and order it. I love learning new things to help on this journey! Thank you @mrsa2017

mrsa2017

Anything I learn, I will share. I guess it's safe to say that we're all in this together. @baseballhoney

mrsa2017

@sunnyd_lite @baseballhoney... 

Morgan1143

I don't have any experience yet just wanted to say best of luck to you from one IVF rookie to another!!

mrsa2017

Same to you @Morgan1143.... Feel free to share when you start the process.

SP128

I'm going to do my first ivf cycle too. Should be starting soon. I just ordered that book through Amazon !!  I'm hoping i won't be overwhelmed with all the info. 

baseballhoney

Thanks @mrsa2017! I have to remember to order that tonight. Good luck to @Morgan1143 and @SP128. 

SP128

Just curious. For those who are not on bcp, are you trying to prevent this cycle?  

MMD1986

SP128 said:

I'm going to do my first ivf cycle too. Should be starting soon. I just ordered that book through Amazon !!  I'm hoping i won't be overwhelmed with all the info. 

I read that book.  It isn't overwhelming with information, and you can skip parts of it that don't apply to you.

It'll give you a good idea of vitamins to take in the months leading up to your IVF.  It suggests you stop using plastic in the kitchen, which led me to get new glass tupperware.  It also talks about using natural makeup and cleaning products.  I didn't follow this because I wasn't about to throw out everything I had, but it will be something I keep in mind when I need new stuff in the future.

mrsa2017

I'm a little ways through the book and I came home today telling my DH that we're getting rid of our plastic containers and checking my personal care products for the toxins that were mentioned. But I will gradually make changes as well. It's an eye opener tho and knowledge is power.

mrsa2017

Our insurance is not paying for IVF so we have to do everything out of pocket. Does anyone know of persons who went through/going through IVF now that got left over medication from someone ?

SP128

Yeah, I'm already good on not using plastic.  I switched to Pyrex a couple of years ago.  I probably won't switch over the cosmetic stuff.  

@mrsa2017  I don't know of anyone.  Maybe ask your clinic if they have anyone that can donate.  I asked my clinic today what I would do if I got preg before starting injectables after they got delivered.  They said the pharmacy won't take it back.  So I could either donate or sell it.  

mrsa2017

I will definitely put that down as a question on my list.. @SP128

KLake42

My advice would be to avoid too many of those youtube montage videos, showing perfectly happy people documenting every step, but smiling the whole time, and having pinterest-style reveals with perfect hair, blah blah blah.  

You know what I'm talking about.  It sets up an unrealistic expectation.  One, your hair won't be perfect when you have your egg retrieval.  Two, it is normal to have some bumps along the way.  I don't know anyone who's had a perfect IVF experience.

But studies show that people who commit to trying again, when they don't first succeed, have a very good chance of succeeding eventually.

Don't be too scared of the needles.  They look scarier than they are.

You only need to learn one thing at a time.  You don't have to learn all of it at once.

Hydration and self care are key.

funkykey

@mrsa2017 - I'm new to IVF too, so I don't have any advice, but maybe we can learn together? FX for you, and so sorry for your ectopic pregnancies. Ugh.

Also:

What is even more saddening is that if they find out that it's a "planned pregnancy," my insurance would not cover doctor visits after. So we have to keep this procedure like a secret.

Also sorry about that. That is horrible - seems highly, highly unethical.

Good luck to you!

mrsa2017

The needles are what I was most afraid of to be honest, so thanks for the heads up @KLake42.... Thank you @funkykey... God will grant all of us our hearts desire so we just need to keep the faith. My DH and I just have to keep it a secret. And as I experience things, I will share it here and please do the same.

Polythene Pam

*lurker* I pop in to silently cheer for everyone

I had one blocked tube and one dud of an ovary, of course on opposite sides so we weren't getting pregnant. We did IVF in Feb and 

*TW* it worked.

I have 4 friends personally who went through it and I'm so glad I had their insight.

First- it's overwhelming and emotional. My friends and doctors all said stop googling and take it one day at a time. When we did the class to learn meds I came home in tears I was so overwhelmed... but if you take it one day at a time it seemed doable, and it is

I did give up caffeine and did weekly acupuncture before IVF and through it, no clue if it helped but it definitely helped me relax.

For some, the guy may want to help with shots to feel like he's part of the process. My husband on the other hand got sick at the sight of needles. I did them all myself and felt so badass after

I felt ok during shots- bloated and sore and hormonal as hell (sorry husband....) and needed a day after egg retrieval to lay on the couch. We didn't do PGS testing (personal choice) so did a fresh transfer. It was all out of pocket here too so I was happy we could keep the ball rolling.

here's where everyone differs but I loved my friends advice... once that embryo is in you, its bigger than you. Next to doing a marathon the next day or getting shit faced just live. Go for walks, work, take it a bit easier but they all said keeping your mind occupied was so helpful and you weren't going to do anything to ruin your chances of a pregnancy. I know we got very lucky having success fairly quickly but trying to keep a positive outlook and going for lots of walks to relax kept me from going crazy at least.

many hugs and fingers crossed for quick successes!

mrsa2017

Thank you thank you

mrsa2017

Thank you thank you

mrsa2017

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mrsa2017

Thank you

mrsa2017

Does anyone know how to delete comments?

mrsa2017

Can I ask how long you were taking the shots and medication before your ET? Or does it all depend on your body and how it's responding? @PolythenePam

Polythene Pam

@mrsa2017 I did 9 days of shots, it does depend on your body and response though. My clinic ordered me the least amount of meds needed to save me money, then I ended up needing one refill but they were really on top of telling me exactly how things were going so I wouldn't buy too many meds. When you go in just ask about ways to save money, mine had me order my trigger shot from some place in NJ (I love in WI) as it was way cheaper, they'll help where they can  

once I got the positive test my insurance finally picked up and covered pregesterone, they also won't acknowledge IVF but once I said I was pregnant they didn't ask questions as to how I got here. Feel free to ask anything else!

mrsa2017

I live in the Bahamas so I have to travel to Florida when we start the process. Thank God I have family members that live over there for a little support since my husband won't be able to stay the entire time. I am writing down everything I learn from you all so I can have my questions when we meet our RE. How did you choose the clinic you went too? @PolythenePam. .. I had to decide between the two closest to where I would be staying.

SP128

@PolythenePam thanks for the insight. So inspiring. Makes me hopeful. 

Polythene Pam

@mrsa2017 honestly distance and waitlist. There's a fantastic clinic I wanted to go to but at 1.5 hours away it just seemed like a lot. I have a 3.5 year old apparently miracle child or I would've considered it, it was just too much with finding care for her. We went to one that was close but had still good success stories. You can usually look up success rates and go in for a consultation to meet the doctor. I didn't LOVE my doctor but the nurses and close distance made up for it. 

mrsa2017

The clinic I chose has different locations but the doctor a friend recommended is at a further location so that's my dilemma. Both has great success stories but I want to make sure that we make the best choice (pray for me)for us. We're travelling too far to not have the best chance posSibley and receive the best care. Did you do your preliminary tests (SAS,  HSO etc) prior to your first consultation with your RE? @PolythenePam. .... Actually has any of you ladies did them yet?

SP128

My doctor ordered the tests during them first consult. SOme people do it and have the results before the first consult 

mrsa2017

My DH and I have an appointment with my OBGYN on Friday, so I was going to ask if we can do them before we have our consult to save us some time since we're only travelling to Florida to see the RE. It might save his some money as well since the appointment coordinator told us that the visit would be between  $300 and $500. @SP128

I also don't have any tubes since my last ectopic in 2016 but do you think they would still have me do an HSG to confirm?... That test hurts sooooooo bad

Polythene Pam

My RE ordered tests during the consult but results took a month so definitely order tests ahead of time if you can, just call to see what all they'll need.

My RE also wanted to redo the HSG to "see for himself" which is valid but for $1k out of pocket, hurt like a bitch, and we'd been trying 2 years and were over it... you have a right to say no, let's just start IVF. He was surprised and I get it but there's so much waiting involved, we were paying out of pocket, we just wanted to get the ball rolling.

mrsa2017

Wow, $1k for a HSG test, that's a lot of money. The test here cost 75% less but I'll ask my OBGYN tomorrow and see what he says since he did my surgeries.
My next question was going to be, did you go from initial consultation straight to IVF or is there something in between that happens that I don't know about?
And I'm actually happy that my DH gets to do tests as well, even if it's only SA.

baseballhoney

I had all my tests done before any plan was made to diagnose what was wrong. We did timed intercourse and IUIs before moving on to IVF, but they thought those would work for me. I have PCOS and nothing wrong with my tubes however.