Well that sucked.

YankeeNavyWife

Went to my second monitoring appointment of the week, hoping to see some late bloomer follicles.

Instead, I came out of the office with a stack of paperwork and all of the referrals necessary to begin IVF. 

I mean, I knew that if this next IUI didn't work that that would be the next logical step to parenthood. I just didn't expect it TODAY. I thought that I'd have one small-ish late follicle and that we'd be doing IUI #4 sometime early Monday, but that is sadly not the case.

I'm kind of numb at this point. Not shocked, not sad, not angry... not really feeling anything at this point. Dumbfounded may be the word I'm looking for here.

The IVF center we're going to use only does cycles a few times a year so we're going to have to wait until late September/early October to start meds. I guess that will give us some more time to figure out the financial side of things, too.

I guess I need some support from you ladies who've made the crap-tastic transition from IUIs to the "big guns". How did you handle it? Do you ladies have any advice? I don't know anyone IRL who has gone through IVF, so I'm a complete newbie. 

Jbromberg1985

I can't give much advice on the jump from IUI to IVF because we went straight to IVF, but it really has not been that bad.  I had my ER last friday and unfortunately I responded too well to the injections and produced so many follicles (30 to be exact), that my RE said I was at too high of a risk or OHSS to do a fresh transfer, so we'll be doing an FET in August.  

Not having gone through IUI, I don't know the difference in the stress/ emotion levels, but I have been surprisingly calm.  I think with the chances being so much greater, I just try to stay positive and focus on the end product!

Think positive and I'm sure everything will be great... good luck!! 

Ms H13

For me physically the difference wasn't as much as I was expecting - you're still stimming (albeit with many more injections, but those didn't bother me too much), and going in for monitoring, for me the biggest difference was the swelling I had toward the end of stimming.  Then of course there is the ER and the ET. 

The ER for me was quick (apparently only took 25 minutes - for which I was asleep), with the biggest side effect was cramping.  You can take tylenol which helped. 

I haven't had the ET yet (it is tomorrow), but did have a trial one before beginning ivf - which was just like a longish pap smear. 

 For me, physically the transition was fine.  Emotionally and financially it is a different story.  We found out that our final iui hadn't worked while on vacation, and for us it was a great way to be able to acknowledge the upcoming transition while not having to face it right away if that makes sense. 

Another thing I should add is to be thoughtful about who you tell about your cycle - we didn't tell many people, but everyone who knows is already hounding us for our beta date and results.  We've already decided that if we need to do this again we won't be sharing with anyone IRL.

Best of luck to you.

 

 

 

twistsandturnsto2

Wow. Sounds like youve got a lot to wrap your head around. At least you've got some time to figure everything out and get the financials worked out. Hopefully you can get a better response with the IVF process! 

Do I remember correctly that you are in the Va Beach area? 

YankeeNavyWife

Thanks for the positive thoughts ladies. I would have responded earlier, but we had some crazy weather last night and I was without power for much of the night.

I've never stimmed with injects before (with the exception of trigger shots), so I'm super nervous about that. I've never been a fan of needles. So I'm hoping I'm not going to have a hard time with that transition.

As for the financials, we're hoping to go through the financing program they have and if not, talk about getting a private loan. Ouch.

I am in VA Beach! Despising the heat we've been having, but I guess it's everywhere!

twistsandturnsto2

I was just curious about where you were bc I am in the same area and might have some questions for you about your RE, if you don't mind. IDK if we want to stay with the same doc if we end up getting to the IVF process, and might want some insight from someone else in the area about other RE's. (that is of course if you don't mind sharing!)

YankeeNavyWife

I'd love to share anything you want to know, but I'm afraid I'll be of almost zero help unless you're covered by Tricare. Hubby is military and we have to go on base for all our medical care. When we do IVF, we'll be travelling to another base to do that.

However, if you're looking for civilian info, I've heard wonderful things about the people at the New Hope Center in VA Beach. They have the highest success rates in the region for IVF.

Let me know if there's more you'd like to know! :0)

Enchanted616

I don't have advice, but wanted to wish you the best of luck as you start IVF.

twistsandturnsto2

Thanks Yankee! I figured you might be under military care, oh well. I hear great things about Dr Robin, too. We might consider switching to there for IVF if we need too. Her stats are awesome! It's just so much farther than Jones Inst. for us(I'm in Norfok)! Thanks tho and good luck!!

YankeeNavyWife

I've been to the Jones Institute for SAs and washings.

It's not my favorite place and they are #3 in the area as far as number of live births resulting from IVFs.  I also don't find their staff to be so welcoming. But maybe that's just me. I've not dealt with anyone in IVF there, just the lab and cryogenics.