Ivf jitters- please help

My plan is to do one more medicated iui next month. My 2nd just failed. Then I will move on to Ivf. I feel so nervous that if it does not work it is my last chance as my insurance only would cover one. Also I have no idea what to expect. All I know is u r on a lot Meds. If anyone can tell me how it works I would be grateful!

Ivf jitters- please help

I had the same exact emotions! You must do what is in your heart! You are on a lot of meds but if it gets you your baby....it's all worth it! It is much more intimidating than it really is!

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

i was exactly the same way! i did 4 IUI's and then moved on to IVF. my insurance also covers only one IVF cycle so i was a ball of nerves about it. i had done injectables with my IUI's so i wasn't scared of the shots but i was scared of it not working. we are in the middle of it, and i'm still scared at times, but overall it's really easier than i thought it would be. the last few weeks have FLOWN by and the drugs aren't that bad.

you will know when the time is right for you. i waited almost 9 months between my last IUI and the start of IVF because i knew i wasn't in the right emotional space for it yet. once you make the decision to go for it, a lot of the jitters go away! good luck with your next IUI, hopefully it will do the trick!

Ivf jitters- please help

Its pretty overwhelming at first but if you take it one day at a time its really a very simple process. Unfortunatley its hard to say without knowing what kind of protocol youd be on. I was on an antagonist to produce as many eggs as possible. It was a lot of meds. Having the calendar from the dr or your own is helpful.

Ivf jitters- please help

I will say it is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The meds just become part of your day and you are only on them for 9-12 days typically. This cycle I was toting my meds everywhere - BBQs, weddings, dinners - I would excuse myself to the bathroom for 5 minutes and no one even noticed.

As for being on "lots of meds", I was on relatively low doses (75-150 units of Gonal F and 75 units on Menopur - all taken as one injection) and had a good response (22 eggs) with very few side effects.

For me, the worst part both cycles has been the ER. I had my ER on Wednesday and today I am just starting to feel better, but still not 100%. Of course, I think I am the exception as many ladies on here feel better immediately.

As for starting IVF, you have to do what is right for you. DH and I knew we needed to do IVF, but we kept delaying it - we were both scared of the unknown.

Ivf jitters- please help

Everyone starts a little differently (actually the whole thing is a little different) but the basic idea is that you will take injections for about 8-10 days to stimulate multiple eggs. You will go in for monitoring in the mornings until they are ready to take they eggs. I would say the average cycle is about 5 weeks from start to finish. Of course your doctor will make a protocol that is meant for you. Before my IVF cycle I read the journals here and that helped a lot. It's overwhelming....it helped me to stay informed. Good Luck!

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

The anticipation is the worst part! In many ways, it's similar to an IUI. Once you get started, you stim for about 10-12 days.. except instead of triggering for an IUI, you trigger for an egg retrieval. Here is where it all changes. You go to the retrieval, they fertilize your eggs... you transfer back a few days later.. and then you test. That's really the breakdown of it. It sounds scary, but the only REAL difference is more meds.. more monitoring.. and retrieval and transfer. The transfer is much like an IUI, but instead of getting sperm put up there, you're getting your embryos and you could see them on a sono while it's being done!!

I would say of everything, the biggest difference of all, (aside form price) is the likelihood of it working!! Depending on your issues, IVF yields wayyyy better odds.

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

like pp have said it all depends on your protocol

for me it was harder mentally than physically...i was use to shots and monitoring appts already so it was just more of those

i def felt what u felt likwe this was our last hope but what kept me going is that i knew this is what we needed to do

good luck! any questions please fm me

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

I saw on another post that you're doing IUIs with Clomid. Have you considered injectables before jumping to IVF?

I O on my own. Did 2 IUIs on Clomid and BFN both times. I switched to injectables and got a BFP that round. Maybe it was having extra follies (3), maybe it was that the gonal-f made higher quality eggs...whatever it is, IVF is a big jump so I'd exhaust the other possibilities first.

Ivf jitters- please help

i dont mean to downplay it, but i thought the anticipation was worse than the process. like PP said, take it one day at a time, its very doable and you will get very specific instructions from your doctor. the more you read online i think the worse it is because everyones experience varies so much...

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

I don't have any advice because I haven't been in that situation yet. Just wanted to wish you lots of luck!!!!

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

My family found this video really helpful in explaining what the IVF process is like.

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

Message edited 7/23/2012 4:27:09 PM.

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

Re: Ivf jitters- please help

that is a great video.

you and i are in the same boat.. one more IUI and then onto IVF. we already started the process with billing, social worker, orientation etc and im SOOOO overwhelmed.

.. day by day.