We are planning to start IVF next month (unless AF doesn't arrive this month - fingers crossed) and I had my nurse interview yesterday to explain the process etc.
It all went really well and was really positive, except that I felt physically sick when the nurse showed me the needles.
I don't know how I am going to be able to inject myself .... any tips?
maybe get your partner to do the injections. my clinic has an injections time each morning where you can have nursing staff do your injsections. maybe this could also be an option if you are close to yours. good luck. it seems daunting at first, but after a while it just seems quite routine...
Dont worry too much. Just keep saying to yourself its all for a good cause. Thats what I did and I am the biggest baby going... My twin boys are ivf... Good luck
If your fear is because of the pain - then your fears are totally unfounded. It's not like a normal injection pain, and it really, really doesn't hurt. Honestly.
If your fear is the physical act of pushing a needle into your skin, then i'm am sure it will pass for you as soon as you have done it the first time.
Is your DH available to do it?? Then you don't have to look, and he can do it in your bum.
The first shot is a bit scary, but once you do it, you realise how easy and painless the process is.
You will be fine - Good luck
Yep, I second that, it totally does not hurt. I don't think any of us like needles but these are not like normal needles, there is no pain at all - promise!! First one is the worst cause you don't know what to expect, but after that, it's a breeze.
I know how your feel, my DH has always done the injections for me, we are about to go for ou 7th round of IVF and this time DH will be away so i guess its up to me. My brother in law was here a few weeks ago and is diabetic and does his own injections, his biggest tip was just don't put it in the same place twice in one week so basically if you are doing it in your tummy just move from one side slowly over to the other side each day and alll will be okay. I know the injections don't hurt as DH has never hurt me with the needles I just think its the thought of putting the needle into yourself - it will all be okay just remember why you are doing it and all your fears will be over-ridden. Good luck.
Everyone is right, the injections don't hurt, but if you're nervous, definitely get someone to do them for you if you can. You won't feel a thing. The needles are so short and thin, almost like acupuncture needles, which are totally painless. Good Luck, its just the initial one thats the worst - anticipation. You'll be great!
One trick I learned from acupuncture in making needles not hurt, was to breathe!
Every time my acupuncturist puts a needle in, she asks me to take a deep breath in, then on the exhale, the needle goes in. I was SO scared of giving myself my first needle (DH said he'd do it if I couldn't, but wanted me to try myself first as he didn't want to hurt me), but when I remembered what my acupuncturist did, and followed her example, it really did NOT hurt at all.
I think many of us are scared of needles because we remember the intra-muscular vaccinations we have as children. They HURT! These are subcutaneous, so they go into fatty tissue, not muscle, and therefore don't hurt anywhere near as much.
Remember to breathe, push the needle in fast, but the drug in slow and you'll be fine.
PS - thanks for the injection tips, Mel! They were wonderful!
Hi - that is all good news about the injections. We have our nurse's appointment on Tuesday - I have already started on the pill for my down reg cycle - yep we have things a little out of whack but my FS has been trying to squeeze us in so that we don't miss this next cycle. I have watched the DVD three times and two parts of it get to me - the injections and the egg pickup - I end up clenching my fists or covering my eyes! Anyway, good luck to all going through the IVF and TTC process. Let's hope we all get there sooner rather than later!
I was under the impression that i would be 'lightly sedated' for the pick-up - i.e. i'd know what was going on, but not be in pain etc. DH and i let out an audible sigh of relief on pick-up day when the nurse said that although the sedation was light, i would be asleep. And i was out cold seconds after i lay down on the table. What a relief! I thought it was going to be like getting teeth pulled - you can feel it but it doesn't hurt. But no - i was totally unconscious - just the way i like it!!!!
Apparently, some women do stay more awake than that, but i was happy being totally out of it.
Yes - I do feel like things are rushing along at a great pace, which is good, because we have felt for the last 6 months that we have just been going around in circles! Thanks for the info about your EPU experience - I am trying to exercise regularly and eat well to try to keep the stress levels down as I am sure that there will be more stress later on in the cycle!
I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. I really don't have anyone to talk to about this journey - even our TTC journey has been kept very quiet as DP hasn't wanted to share it with either of our families or friends. Men are so strange about this sort of stuff but I respect his wishes. I have a friend in Canberra who went through a couple of IVF cycles which all ended in disappointment unfortunately, but she is away a lot and having the support of people at BB is fantastic.
Needle phobia and IVF
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