IVF journey about to start.. I'm not sure that I'm ready.

[tortoishelll]

As the title says. After 3.5 agonising years of trying to conceive, our referral via the drs has finally reached our local IVF clinic and they are just waiting for us to fill out the forms provided and return them, before our first initial nurses appointment mid August.

It has been absolutely utterly heart wrenching trying to conceive for all of those years and not having had been a glimpse of hope that whole time. DH has had tests which have come back with a low sperm count so IVF is required. I have had several tests, scans etc and been given the all clear in terms of my ability to carry children.

I am just feeling so nervous now that this is real. I always imagined becoming pregnant being easy, or a surprise. The fact I am now planning it and almost know when it will happen feels strange to me. We have wanted this SO badly, but now it's in reaching distance I feel terrified and I don't know if I'm ready. I'm terrified.

Has anybody been through the same thoughts?

I remember getting our approval for funding for ivf letter through on New Year Eve. Then by Feb started the roller-coaster of appointments. First cycle was in April.

It is overwhelming. I was also terrified after the years of TTC.

All I can say is take it one day/one appointment at a time. Ask questions, most places will have someone you can talk to about worries. There is obviously the element of planning needed to get the timings right. But the starting point is within your control (obvs without knowing your age/specific circs).

In my case, the hopelessness and not knowing of TTC was the worst.. With ivf there are protocols to follow and I liked that there was a plan in place.

Thank you so much for responding. How was your journey? Did you get your miracle! 🌈

I am 25, husband is 29 so we are HOPING we have a little bit of time on our side. It's just scary!

No worries! Our first cycle was fairly straightforward and successful.. He is 7 now!

We then waited a few more years and did another cycle, again successful first time - he is 3.

We were a bit older when starting both 34/35. The issue was me and blocked tubes.

I will say, I used to use another forum back then (hint BC) and practically lived on the ivf/fertility boards - they were helpful for questions/worries etc and lots going through cycles at the same time if you wanted to compare notes.

Good luck with your journey and whatever you decide to do

Very normal to feel like this. Your clinic ought to provide you with some counselling, which might help. But of course it's a huge thing, and scary. Best of luck!

Thank you both so much. It's all we've wanted for so, so long. It's just a scary concept coming to terms with the fact that the ball could start rolling this year!