IVF process?

Hi Ladies,

So after being all excited last cycle when we had 15million to work with for the IUI, this cycle we were back down to 3.5million. I asked my RE what the next step would be, and he thought that IVF was the way forward. He said that it would take 7 weeks from starting the process until you get the embryos. A friend of mine that did IVF thought it was 7 weeks until you find out the results of your Beta.

Can anyone out there describe the IVF process for me? Or if anyone has a good thread about this saved can you post the link?

Thanks!!!

Re: IVF process?

IVF is a difficult and long process, but we all have to be grateful that it is an option for us.
I am about to start my second cycle, since the first one didnt work. This is my breakdown from the first cycle. Drugs may differ from case to case:

First week: blood test and sono, start birth control pills for one week.
second week: blood test and sono, start follisim pen each night with injection to stomach area.
third week: blood test and sono every few days to check estrogen level and add ganirelex shot to upper arm in the morning. Keep follistim pen shot going each night.
You start to feel sore, bloated and sensitive as your multiple eggs are growing.
when your dr says you are ready for retrieval you will have your trigger shot, usually late at night.
Then on the day of your retrieval:
that morning you are put under anasthesia and your eggs are retrieved.
Hubby makes his "donation" while you are sleeping. When you wake up you find out how many eggs they retrieved.
You go home and rest for 2 days, no lifting. I almost hyperstimulated so I had to measure my urine and weight throughout the day and go on a low sodium diet for the last 2 weeks.
Then they call you and tell you how many fertilized and what day (either 3 or 5) you will have your transfer.
I had 14 eggs that fertilized and we had a day 5 transfer.
That morning:
I was perscribe a valium to take before the procedure. Went in and was inseminated with 1 blastocyst.
Went home and rested for 2 days.
11 days later I had my pregnancy test and it was a no.
But I have faith and have already begun my next cycle.

Honestly, the toughest part for me were the blood test. Your veins get weak after all the poking and my arms would just kill. I would cry near the end.
But the more they monitor you the better.
Hope this helps.
Baby Dust!

Re: IVF process?

thank you so much for all this info!! it is so helpful to read these posts and to know a little more about the process.

it is so confusing to look at all the different types of ivf cycles out there

good luck to you in your second cycle!!!

Re: IVF process?

Thank you for posting this and shring your story.... I too wondered what the process was, I wish you lots of luck this time around

Re: IVF process?

Thank you so much to the OP for asking this question and to Tricia for the detailed answer. It really helps to see it all spelled out and in a regular persons words rather than "docto talk".

Good luck!

Re: IVF process?

No problem ladies! Everyone's cycle IS different. I have 2 older sisters that went through IVF and had totally different cycles than I did.
Hang in there.
It is hard...but it's harder not having a baby in our arms.
You will get through it!
Dust to all of you!

Re: IVF process?

As mentioned above, all cycles are different. Mine was exactly 4 weeks from start to finish.

I wasn't on BCPs since my period has always been regular. I got my period on December 10 and started my IVF meds the next week. On January 11, I had my first beta test (blood test determining pregnancy).

The only day of work I missed was the egg retrieval day. The egg transfer day fell on a Sunday fortunately. I got a BFP but ended up losing my twins at 17 weeks due to an infection that was not IVF-related.

I responded well to the meds since they never changed my dosage in the 11 days I was stimming. I am hopeful but also scared to start my next cycle.

Good luck ladies!