IVF injections?

[LumpInTheCustard]

Have recently found out that DH and I will need IVF (or a miracle) if we are going to have a child, and although we don't have any appointments booked yet (still processing the whole infertility thing really) I have been trying to find stuff out online so I know what to expect - and will hopefully be able to be relaxed and accepting about everything in the IVF process and not make DH feel worse about himself and his crappy non-swimming swimmers.

But anyway, the point of my post - I have come across several references to women having their DP/DH giving them injections of fertility meds during the IVF process.

Is this really the only option? Or is this a personal preference and not wanting to inject yourself thing? My Google-fu has failed me on this and I can't turn up a single source that tells me that doing all my own injections is possible (but then I haven?t found anything that definitively says it is impossible either.)

This injecting business could be a really serious bump in the road for us, because while I have no needle-issues and am confident I could inject myself without difficulty, if DH actually had to be involved then we'll probably be remaining childless as he simply cannot cope with needles - he can't even manage to hold the cats/dog getting their vaccinations at the vet without having to sit down with his head between his knees - so I really can't see him being able to stick me with a needle.

Please say I can manage the injections alone?

Reassure me?

I did all my own injections and it was absolutely fine! I was a bit apprehensive in advance but the nurses explained how to give them and where. I think that all of mine had to be given in the stomach. It really doesn't hurt in any significant way and once you have done the first one and got over that psychological barrier of sticking a needle in you will be fine. I am pregnant now and have to do daily clexane injections so I've become very accustomed to the process!

Of course you can manage the injections alone - it only takes one person to fill a syringe and inject it. Please don't worry about this.

Some people involve their partners because they are squeamish about needles themselves. I got my husband to fill the syringe to make him feel involved in the process (neither of us is bothered by needles), but I injected it myself.

To give a bit more info, there are different drug protocols in IVF, but most use some combination of the following:

The Pill, to start shutting your ovaries down.
Downregulation drugs, to induce a mini menopause. These are either sniffed or injected (I was given the injection kind).
Stimulating drugs, to make eggs grow. I've never heard of these being anything other than injectables.
A trigger shot, to make all the eggs mature at the same point for egg collection. This is just one injection, the timing of which has to be very precise.
Progesterone pessaries/suppositories. As they suck the liquid out of the follicles around the eggs when they do egg collection, the body doesn't produce progesterone in the way that it would after natural ovulation, so these provide it.

Using all of those = long protocol.
Skipping the first two stages=short protocol

And like I say, there are variations on this. Each clinic has its preferred way of doing things.

Yes, I am amazed anyone would let their OH's inject them; it's bad enough having to do it yourself. That said, it is OK once you're used to it; they'll show you what to do. My best tips are remember to keep your feet flat on the floor and relax. No need for OH to be present if you/he don't want.

I injected myself. It's really easy. Best of luck with your IVF journey.

Thank you montague that is reassuring to hear that you managed to do all your injections by yourself. I can't say the idea of poking myself with a needle is very appealing, but I think I will be able to do it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

Oh wow, more responses. Thank you.

I must have just read up about squeamish people who wanted help with the injections.

I can't think of anything worse than having some untrained person poking me with a needle (particularly if they are about to faint or puke like DH probably would ) but each to their own.

I feel so much better about IVF now if I can actually manage it all myself.

Oh lump you'll be fine. It's hardest before you start, once you get going its actually easier.

I think most people inject themselves. I didn't but as my dh is a doctor!

It worked for me too btw. Good luck!

The thought of it is worse than the reality; you'll be fine... and good luck