What's IVF like?

LeFemmeViolette · May 2016

Hi Ladies!

My husband and I are currently doing IUIs, but I'm assuming we'll eventually have to move on to IVF. I am nervous about it though. Seems silly, but I'm especially afraid of throwing up from any sort of drugs.

So, what's the process like? What were your side effects? Were you put under for embryo retrieval and reinsertion? How did that go?

Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Tulips29 · May 2016

Hi! IVF is not as scary as it seems. I was super nervous as well, but I think it's the unknown that's scary. I found the injection process for IVF much easier than for IUIs. Mainly because the IVF injections are subcutaneous and the needled are tiny. My IUI injections were painful, intramuscular and the needles were so much longer. They also stung a lot. The retrieval was the most difficult process, as you don't know how you will recover until you're there. They put you under and you don't feel a thing. You just wake up when it's all done and I woke up sore and in pain. Once Percocet wore off, I was super sore and in pain for a few days. But many others recover quickly and go back to work the next day. Transfer is super quick and painless. Overall, the process is a bit longer than with IUIs but I found it easier in some ways. I didn't throw up from the drugs or have any other crazy side effects. The worst side effect is being super bloated the closer you get to your retrieval and then recovering after it. Good luck to you with your current cycle. Hopefully you won't have to move on to IVF

susykat77 · May 2016

I didn't have any crazy side effects. Occasional headaches and a tad moody although my husband may say I was more than a tad moody. It does all seem overwhelming when you get all the medications but it's totally manageable. I'm really sensitive to medications and was really surprised that I didn't have more side effects. Good luck!!

Drove2u · May 2016

Exactly. It seems overwhelming but it's really not. I took two to three injections a day for about 8 days before I was ready to trigger so it wasn't too bad at all. No side effects from the meds at all. I felt completely normal. I was knocked out for retrieval and was in a lot of pain after so took a Percocet and was back at work with no pain meds the day after. Five days later I had the transfer. I wasn't knocked out for this since it's basically like an IUI. Felt no pain at all during it and wasn't on any pain meds. And then four days later I got my bfp! I'm still taking PIO shots in the ass which aren't fun at all but whatever will help my baby keep sticking I'll keep on taking.

Stars2016 · May 2016

Thanks for starting this thread @Tulips29! I am going on my 5th out of 6 IUI's before moving to IVF. At this point I have little faith that an IUI will work so I was also wondering about the process.

I was told I would be taking a month-2 months off after my last IUI for additional testing before IVF. Can anyone tell me what usually happens during that time?

Drove2u · May 2016

@stars2016 I didn't have this. I did all my testing prior to IUI so after my sixth failed IUI I waited for AF and then started he Ivf process on cd 2. My Ivf was basically the same timeframe as an IUI except with more meds and an egg retrieval. There's also more monitoring with re like ultrasounds and blood work.

ale9687 · May 2016

Thank you all for sharing your experience. We'll be starting our first IVF come end of June/ early July. we just had our consult and signed our consent forms and it was nice having a little info on the drugs, process and what to expect.

Tulips29 · May 2016

@Stars2016 I also had all of my tests prior to my IUIs. The only new one I had to do was genetic testing for me and my husband. They just do bloodwork and test for like 200+ genetic diseases that you and your partner can be carriers for. So when we decided to do IVF, the only wait was when I had to take provera to start AF and then birth control pills while we waited for the genetic testing results to come back which took about 3.5 weeks. Then the rest of the process was fairly quick. Stimms were about 10 or 11 days for me, then egg retrieval 36 hours after the trigger shot. I didn't do a fresh transfer, which typically takes place on day 3 or 5 after the retrieval. We chose to do PGS testing on our embryos, which resulted in a frozen transfer. Once PGS results came back, I was put on progesterone for 5 days and then transfer was right after that.

lilmissslp · May 2016

so glad you started this thread! Like @ale9687 we just signed our consent forms and will begin July 1st!

FatPony · May 2016

I was very apprehensive of the IVF process. It wasn't that bad for me at all, maybe bc I didn't require that many drugs (go go gadget PCOS!). I didn't FEEL that bloated, but DID get pretty constipated at the end lol. Normal ovaries are the size of walnuts and mine swelled up to grapefruits bc I grew so many eggs (PCOS).

Anyway, just take it easy during the process and give yourself time to recover.

mclorn · May 2016

I had bad headaches (drink lots of Gatorade!) and some bloating but that was it. They did put me under for the retrieval but the ET was painless and quick. If it makes you feel better, it's a blur looking back at it... I know it was emotional (mainly because of the unknown) but soon it will be a distant memory.... Best of luck!

chicandbubbly · May 2016

Thanks for the feedback ladies, I am currently doing IVF but still on birth control- I will be getting my meds next week! It definitely helps seeing that others didn't have to many symptoms and that it wasn't too bad

wifeinraleigh28 · May 2016

Thanks for starting this thread! I've really liked reading everyone's responses. I try to also lurk on the IVF month threads to see how people are doing with it. The only part that really scares me is the retrieval since they have to put you under. But my RE assured me it's a very quick process. The plan is for me to start stims at the end of June if this IUI is unsuccessful.

susykat77 · May 2016

FWIW- During 1 of my 4 retrievals there were only two eggs and I was not put under for it. It wasn't as bad as my HSG but it wasn't comfortable. The going under part made it so much easier.

KLake42 · May 2016

You do things one step at a time, and it's manageable.

And when you have several injections? Line them up, and think about the steps you are going to take. Then go through the steps. And remember that the last step is to eat a piece of chocolate.
Lay stuff out. Mix this with that, and that with that. Fill the syringe. Wipe the skin. Count to ten. Inject. Eat a chocolate.

I'm pretty sure that's the instructions that most nurses write out for you, anyway.

ale9687 · May 2016

My pharmacy sent me a bag of Hershey kisses with my trigger shot. They deffinately understand the struggles.

lilmissslp · May 2016

That is so sweet @ale9687

LynnNJ · May 2016

After going through a myomectomy, 3 IUIs, 3 ERs, hsg, saline sonogram, and the Fet (just today), the hardest part of this experience was mental (the fear of a these procedures and the stress of the crazy schedule). When getting ready for ERs, I was taking 1 injection in the morning and 3 at night. They were not so bad, but I was always afraid I'd forget to take the morning injection. The medications made me a little bloated and I was a little sluggish for a week after the retrievals, there has been very little pain. Even though it's nice when I got breaks from the bloodtests and ultrasounds and injections, there was so much waiting and that was difficult as well. One of the biggest things I got out of this experience so far is confidence that I can handle scary experiences better. If this fet ends up being a pregnancy, I will need to have a c section because of the myomectomy. I'm sure I'll be nervous, but much less nervous knowing what I've been through.

wifeinraleigh28 · May 2016

What the &*%$ is wrong with me? Why did I never think to eat chocolate after my IUI injections?? Thanks for the tip @KLake42.

Sunflower5678 · May 2016

Thanks for this post! We are planning to transfer in September so I've been lurking on all the IVF posts

this made it sound not as scary!

babylonghorn16 · May 2016

@FatPony go go gadget PCOS!!! LOLOL! That killed me. Thanks for the laugh today!

My IVF experience has been pretty uneventful so far. I was on BCPs for 2 weeks, and then started Lupron injections for another 2 weeks. Tomorrow I will start the "stim" meds which will stimulate follicle growth in order to retrieve as many eggs as possible. Will be on 3 injections daily for 10 days, and then if all goes to plan, I will have my egg retrieval. 5 days after that, if I'm not over-stimulated and I have viable embryos (FX), I'll have my transfer. Hope that gives you some insight as to what your protocol MIGHT look like! GL @LeFemmeViolette!

Thanks to everyone who posted here as well. I start my stim meds tomorrow, so I'm a little nervous. Y'all have quelled my fears! GL to everyone!

ultratomato · May 2016

I enjoyed my ivf process and was lucky to have success the first time. I would do it again if u had to since I had no success with the 6 iuis. I was alittle scared to go under anesthesia but it was fine. Good luck!

Worldtravler0522 · May 2016

Thank you so much to everyone for sharing your experiences. We are planning to start IVF in June/July and it was helpful to see it's not so scary after all. @ale9687 I love that your pharmacy sent you Hershey Kisses, I feel like I can handle anything with the proper amount of chocolate.

Angelic789 · May 2016

Hi,LeFemme! I'm so sorry you've found yourself here. Still welcome to the crowd. This is a nice place to be in and to get daily support through the process.
I guess IVF is different for every woman here. This difference lies firstly in whether you're using OE or DE. Each route is quite unique having lots of tricky details, but all in all, the devil is not so black as he's painted.
We were in the case of DE IVF. This is due to my DX - endo and PCOS, poor eggs quality. DH is super ok. So the only crucial problem was in me which is still really hard to live with.

We've passed a long way until found the solution in Ukrainian Biotexcom clinic. It took us 3 shots before we got pregnant.
I cannot say now whether I was afraid of drugs, any kind of meds needed for the protocol. I just tried to keep calm and follow my doc's advice absolutely trusting him. Of course one should be ready for the great amount of testing, examination for both, papers, emotional roller coaster - everything we aren't dealing with every other day leading normal life. But children are definitely special. And worth fighting for!!
All the best with your treatment, hope you get that well deserved BFP.

JessieandAdam · May 2016

I just finished my second cycle (waiting for PGD to schedule transfer). The worst part by far for me has been the waiting. The pain and annoyance isn't too bad. I feel content knowing I'm taking a positive step towards starting a family, so that helps with motivation. The egg retrivals aren't very painful, just a little sore. It'll all be worth it

pmjb · May 2016

Thanks everyone for sharing. Hubs and I are doing our second IUI this month but for some reason I feel like IVF will be what works for us so I will follow this thread.

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