IVF Procedure

Hi Everyone,

I will be going through IVF in a few weeks and was wondering about the procedure. What have people gone through and pain they have experienced. It is all a little too scary at the moment but I am trying my best to feel positive. It would be nice to hear some stories. I am heading to 27 years in a week. Is it better to have IVF when you are younger?

Thanks guys \:D/

Hi Ange

I am starting IVF after my next period. I have had lots of friends who have all been through IVF and they have all had different responses to how they have coped.. some have said they would do it all again tomorrow, others have said.. they just couldn't handle all the hormones. I think it depends on the individual and it pays to stay positive!

They say the younger you start the better.. if i knew my situation I would of started trying a few years ago, although I am still considered young at 29, 30 in september!

I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing all your details.. you never know we might just fall around the same time.. cool..

take it easy now...

Firemansgirl :D

Hi there,

I have done the IVF about 6 years ago and now just couple of months ago. As a result, Im almost 13 week PG. Have to admit, the most part I hated was the noisel spray. Needles dont hurt and I was awake when they took my eggs. That didnt hurt abit!!! The only thing I didnt like, and hurt abit was putting the eggs back in. It hurt me alot but only cause ive got 1/2 cervix. Cause I had Cervical cancer at 17 they had to remove it and I was left with only 1/2 cervix. Not to mention the mess they made of me so it was very hard for the Doc to get up through the cervix. But if you havent had anything wrong with your cervix then it should only be like a pap smear. Its all worth it, as I said im almost 13 weeks PG. I also have had a daughter at 22 natural and now need IVF all the time as I have so much wrong with me. But that is another story. lol. Hope this helped and good luck. Take my advice and pray alot. My husband and I believe it was only through prayer that this happened. So do as we did and Pray a novena every night for the whole time. GOOD LUCK!!!!! [-o< :) :)

Oh and firemansgirl your so young still. Im 34 in oct and will be doing it again after this baby is 1 as we still have 2 eggs to use. Good luck to you to lovely!!!! [-o< :)

thanks missy... and yes i do pray.. every day.... :D xx

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for all your replys. It seems a bit dawnting but I am giving it a try. As for praying, I feel that there are other people worse than me in this world who need more help than me. I feel selfish If I pray for myself and not others... That is me anyway.

To firemans girl, keep in touch on your progress. It will be nice to see what you go through and how you feel throughout all this.

Thanks again to everyone.

xxxooo

Hi Angelique,
I've now done 4 rounds of IVF/ISCI.
I didn't find it too painful but it was a bit unconfortable. I swelled LOTS my first time.... about 19 cms which is quite unusual especially in view of the fact that I had no follies.
On my last cycle I had 15 days of stimming on 450 iu Gonal-F as well as Luveris injections from day 8 and injections to stop ovulation (until the trigger injection). Thought my belly was a giant pin cushion!!!

I think it is good to start "young". I wish I had started on this journey much earlier than I did.

Good luck

Katem

Hi Katem,

Have you had success with IVF at all? Why did your gyno put on IVF? If you dont mind me asklng, how old are you?

I think if we regret things it just makes us feel even worse. At least you have gone through it now and it is never too late. People have kids at an older age these days. We cant all have kids in our early 20's. Some of us dont even find our husbands or mates at that age!!

Angelique, feel free to come and join us all in the monthly thread where we regularly post what is happening and answer questions and share our experiences... CLICK HERE

:D

Hi Angelique,
I'm 36.
Originally we were going to do ISCI due to DH's moprphology. Then low and behold his sperm went and righted themselves....cleaver little dears!!!
As we were already going down the AC path the gyn just changed it to IVF.

Must admit IVF hasn't been very succesful for me...yet. I have diminished ovarian reserve and I've prooved very difficult to stimulate.

But last cycle of ISCI (we just couldn't take the risk of dud sperm) I got 2 follies. From this we got 1 egg (my first ever) which fertilised and was transferred.

IVF is a journey. At first I had no idea what was going on... but the girls here are fantastic and have usually seen it all before. I gain a lot of comfort from them...ever though I don't post very often.

Also you'll find your clinic staff great. They are used to seeing us in stressed states.

I would PM you but I haven't posted enough !!!

Katem

I think the younger you are the better the odds

We went initially over 12 years ago for 1 - IVF DR's appointment - we decided to adopt instead - we used no contraception for 12 yrs and I fell pregnant naturally @37 but our daughter passed away in utero for unknown reasons @26wks (11 months ago)

Now we are back to IVF - as we don't have another 12yrs and I only have 1 tube anyway. Our infertility/secondary infertility is unexplained

I don't regret our DS nor having our DD but I do regret we never did anything sooner - now I am almost too old.

hello.

There is people out there that need prayers, but there is nothing wrong with praying for yourself as well. I always pray for myself but I always pray for others and the world.

Missy

I agree with you Missy
nothing to be guilty about praying for yourself -that's what HE is there for

It is great you have had a positive IVF cycle Missy (x 2)- I will add you to my prayer list (great for night- time insomnia - I feel as if my lack of sleep is not wasted time instead of just worrying,tossing and turning I pray )

Kate -I am sorry your last cycle wasn't successful. I wish you the very best too - what are your plans for next time -if you don't mind me asking - feel free to join us in monthly thread - I hope you have lots of special support - we can only draw so much strength from ourselves & DH/DP sometimes.

Angelique - sorry I missed the first Q
the pain for me during 1st IVF cycle was minor - and emotional pain of empty arms far worse.
I didn't have much discomfort even before OPU (egg pickup), needles are so fine you hardly feel them, you have a few bloodtests and they hurt for barely a moment , u/s is painless. During egg pickup you have sedation so don't feel or remember much anyway.
Some discomfort night after OPU but nothing in big picture -pain relief and heat packs worked a treat. Next day slight pain - then fine.

Embryo transfer again no pain - just as uncomfortable having 'duckbill' .
The 2ww is torture but you get thru with the help of IVF cyber 'buddies'.
A BFN is heartbreaking but again focusing on the future and next cycle helps to keep your cup of hope full.
A BFP - what more can you ask ... worth every minute

Yes the hormones can mess you up a bit but emtoionally more than anything it is a difficult and trying time anyway -but nothing you can't handle if you focus on the prize and the reason for doing it.

Thank you so much Baby~amore it is nice to know other ppl out there pray. As you said, Yes he is there for us to pray. Thanks also for the kind words and prayers. I dont think Ppl pray enough. But anyway, ta again and please keep in touch.

Kind Regards
Julie
:) O:)

Hi Guys,

I started my injections on tuesday night and had an ultrasound & blood test today. Apparently the progress is slow but good. I have only been put on 100 as the specialist said I am young and have a big chance of overtstimulization. Did anyone go through that also?

I am awaiting to move on to the next set of injections. How long do you have to wait for that?

Sorry for all the questions guys but it is not too bad so far. The injections make me soo tired. I literally pass out 15 minutes after them heheh. Just like sleeping tablets.

Goodluck Angelique - come and join us in monthly thread -see Keen's post above

They do start younger women on lower dose though because of OHSS

Hi Baby,

Thanks for your good wishes.

Im afraid that post is locked and I cant seem to post a reply.

Sorry about that one.

How long have you been through the IVF cycle?

Try this link Angelique CLICK HERE

Hi Angelique,

Reading through these posts has just reminded me what I went through to concieve & I really identify with the feelings around infertility & the IVF process. It seems I have been emotionally caught up in these last few days/weeks of my pregnancy when I really should be humbled & rejoicing.

I am only human though..... anyway, I have written an extensive journal that is 95% concerned with my IVF experience/journey &, if you have the time, there might be something of value in there for you.

Every little piece of hope helps :D Good luck to you & everyone that experiences 'empty arms'. My heart goes out to you. :hbeat:

Dear Melody - saw your are due today - a very precious IVF bub
I am wishing you all the very best as your dreams are fulfilled.

I will check your website again

wow miracles happen and they will again

thanks for your encouragement - we are appreciate it.

Hi Melody,

You should not feel bad about getting caught up in your pregnancy. I would too as well. You deserve to get caught up in it and be as happy as you can be.

I am getting the egg pick you tomorrow so I will see what happens. Is there anything in particular that you did to get your IVF pregnancy to work? How many times have you gone through it and how old are you?

Sorry about all the questions. This is still all so new to me and it is nice to have someone to talk to that knows what you are going through. I hope that I can offer that to people once my journey ends.

I was also wondering, where is your diary located? Do I need to be a platinum member to access it at all?

Love

ange

No Angelique, questions are fine..... one of the worst things I found about IVF was that I knew absolutely nothing about it. Here I was pinning everything I had on a process that no-one actually took the time to fully explain to me.

Just click on my 'www' & go to "My Journal" (at the babiesonline website)

I am very lucky, we were succesful first time around, but cannot concieve naturally (DH's sperm quality is very, very poor) so I always have that in the back of my mind because I know we will have to re-do the process when it comes time to expand our family (we also have two eggs 'on ice').

As far as doing anything to increase the odds of implantation.... nothing. I'm not a relegious person but it truly is in the lap of the gods. I did my best to stay calm, I ate well & just gave myself a lot of love. I was also very detirmined NOT to get too excited or carried away with every little symptom that cropped up over the next 17 days. I was constantly reminding myself that I had just been through an intense process, both hormonally & emotionally, so be wonderfully positive but also realistic about the odds.

My heart is with you :)

Hi Melody,

I am like you, very clueless about it all. I am just taking it a day at a time. I am going through IFV Australia and they have been ok but they could better explain everything and be a bit nicer. I did work out how to get to your website and realised you went to Hunters Hill for the procedure - like myself.


Something is bothering me lately that you may help me with. I am due to have the egg pick up tomorrow but am experiencing light cramps in the lower belly similar to period cramps (pinches and pulling). I keep getting paranoid that my periods are going to come!! Did you get tenderness, pinching and pulling?

How many days after implantation does it take to feel some sort of pregnancy symptoms? Did you get period like cramps as well?

You seem to have the right frame of mind about everything. I try to take each day as it comes. With these things I think, you cant really rush ahead and think to hard about anything. I just hope I am as lucky as you have been.

I was SO tender! Remember though.... I always tended to be a bit 'bloaty' during ovulation & that is with one egg. You have several eggs inside you & your body is pumping far more hormones than usual around so it is no wonder you are tender & sensitive around the abdomen.

I looked hard after the egg was put in for any sign of 'implantation' pain but felt nothing.... I looked hard for absoutely ANYTHING :) I had very sore breasts after only a few days, loads of viens & was pretty 'loopy' in general quite quickly but these symptoms had presented themselves before (during the long months we were trying to concieve) so I was aware of the power of my own mind & tried to keep all of that at a distance just to protect myself.

I have two sets of everything crossed for you & don't hesitate to ask me anything or contact me at any time. :crossfingers:

angelique,

don’t worry, sweets, you won’t get AF now. It’s normal after your trigger to feel variously full, twingey, crampy and generally uncomfortable. If your pick up is tomorrow, then that’s when the discomfort will likely peak, but don’t worry, it’s all pretty normal.

Like Melody, I had no symptoms for most of the TWW for this cycle, where I got my first BFP in 8 IVF/FET cycles. I honestly think it’s all luck, and nature/God/moon aligning that decides what happens.

Just go in being realistic and hope for the best. That’s about all you can do really. Many fingers and toes crossed for a good result for you.

love
sushee

Hi Melody and Sushee,

Thanks so much guys for your input, it is so nice to be able to turn to someone when you are confused or stressed about something. It makes me feel soo much better.

I got really emotional after the egg pickup today as the specialist only took 6 out when I had 10 good ones. The excuse was he didn't want to take too many out in case of overstimulization. I guess he know's what he is doing and I have to leave all the process up to god now. I did all that I can now.

Thanks so much for all the luck being thrown my way, I really appreciate it and I wish everyone on the road to conception all the best. I will keep updating everything and thanks again for all the wonderful words.

love

ange

Ange
hope you are feeling okay after opu - I have not heard of that taking only 6 with 10 follicles - most consevative clinics will take more -no wonder you are upset
After all we go through we want every egg there is to make it.

Best of luck for 100% fertilisation and then a successful implant.

Ange, glad to hear that you got the chance to get to pick up and 6 eggs is a good number. I am wondering whether you had 10 follies and only 6 eggs, as you dont always have an egg in every follicle... :-k or the other thing might be that the remaining ones may not have been mature. I know when I had hyperstim problems the vast majority of my follicles didnt have any eggs or had ones that were not mature enough to do anything with. In my last cycle of the 48 follicles I had, only 19 eggs were collected, and in the end of it all I only had 1 left to transfer and 2 left to freeze... so you just never know how it will all end up.

Hang in there and hope the wait does not drag out too painfully for you!

Hi Baby amore, KeenAs and anyone else posting,

Perhaps you are right KeenAs, the did tell me they did not take more because of the risk of overstim. Maybe the 6 were the best in the pack.

This is all out of my hands now. I am trying to get on with my life and not think about it. My DH is ringing the scientists on call to see how everything is going. I am a bit more relaxed than him which I am surprized. I guess I am just over being stressed about the same thing day in day out. There is more to life don't you think?

To alll those on their 2WW best of luck. I just cant imagine how hard it is. My turn will arrive soon though.

Will keep you posted on what happens with me and thanks to everyone for their lovely words - means the world to a newbee to IVF like me.

8-[

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let you guys know that all 6 have survived!! They were originally mistaken and one already ready for insemination. They are assuming I will have 5 left over after the transfer to freeze.

Insemination is tomorrow morning - I am a bit scared, nervous, excited.

Realised today that this is it, on to the final stage. The rest is up to my body. I have butterflies in my stomach!!! I think the progesterone gel is making me emotional now!! Plus I have really sore boobs. Is it tooo early to have sore boobs? It is all too confusing, feel like my head is in space.

Sorry I am babbling

That is fantastic for all your 6 eggs to make it to blasts -they sound like very good quality - and sticky babes. =D>

I will be thinking of your for your Embryo transfer tomorrow Ange

:D

Hi Baby amore

Thanks for your well wishes.

How are you doing? I went to your website on the weekend and was in tears after reading your story. I am soo sorry for your loss. I pray that you get the little bundle you dream of. Keep on the positive vibes.

Are you waiting for the 2ww? How are you going with that at the moment? U looking after yourself well?

thank you Ange :hug:
I am hanging in there by tips of my fingertips

Hi Baby amore,

How long have you got till you get your blood test? What are you filling your time with while you wait?

Lots of xxxoooo

:D

bETA is on the 31st August - so 8 days :boggle:

have a look at our 2ww activity post - bit of fun
also working fulltime but working NOT - too hard because I spend too much time on :smt024 BB :smt082
:dh: : [-X when he catches me :smt018

ps my dh is clean shaven