STARTING IVF ON THE 14TH NOV FOR THE FIRST TIME - ANY ADVICE?

[Schmauskin]

On account of my dh low sperm count we are attempting IVF + ICSCI. I am committed to trying, but am feeling very anxious now that I have read all the info supplied by the clinic! Can anyone tell me what it's like? (big question I know) and any tips for coping with the whole thing, mentally and physically. Thank you x

Hi

No advice sorry but just wanted to wish you all the best.

Thanks Natty

Good luck with everything... Fingers crossed for you and your DH. Let us know how you get on!!

Babydust x

Ta everso

hi

we have had several IVf's our very first one in 2002 worked and we now have a beautiful dd
the only advice I can give you is not to analyse every twinge and ache, unfortunately everything feels like af pains due to the drugs they give you also if you can stay away from the hpt tests it will truely drive you nuts
I stayed away from them with my first and I felt so much better
rest for a couple of days but not bed rest and after that just try and be as normal as you can, hard I know but keeps you occupied

I wish you all the very best of luck, stay positive xx

Hi...
I know its easier said than done but try to relax, ds1 was born as a result of our ist attempt of ivf and at all times we just tried to relax, take it very easy and be positive. DS2 was born 14mths later and he was never meant to be able to happen
Wishing you lots of luck. x x

Echoing toytown's advice to relax and think positive. I had DS aftr 2nd attempt at IVF - I was actually humming a happy tune when I left the clinic after implantation. My attitude was that DH and I were not going to have a baby on our own and that Ivf was a miracle second chance to have a baby.I didn't expect it to work and tried to keep my expectations low(tried and failed).Physically the treatment was not bad at all.I didn't have any menopausal symptoms and the egg collection was mainly painfree. I just accepted all the treatment as my chance to have a baby so I would have put up with a lot more. Of course,I don't know if I would still be so positive about my IVF experience if I had had numerous attempts and no DS to show for it!!!

By the WAy GOOD LUCK .

Good luck. Remeber that the first time is usually on the lowest doese, partly to see how you respond, so try to see it as a test run, rather than expecting anything - it's most likely to work on about 3rd attempt after they've 'fine tuned' all the drugs to fit you.
my first attempt was so hopeless, they abandoned treatment part way through - but id now have a beautiful dd (3) after the third attempt.
it's never easy, but good luck.

oh, and if you're entitled to some time off for treatment, i'd take it. some days i spent 4 hours in the clinic becuase my respons was 'unusual' and i had to keep having consultations. very stressful, and THEN i have like a bat out of hell to get to work. should have been at home with my feet up.

thank you for all your advice and best wishes - It's very encouraging to hear a number of you got pregnant on your first IVF 'go' so I'll keep my fingers crossed we are lucky. I understand that at the clinic we're using, women are offered a GA for the egg retreival but not for re-implantation, so I'm hoping that the latter won't be too uncomfortable. will try and stay relaxed and realistic!!

Hope everything goes well for you Schmauskin - I'm waiting for confirmation of when my first ICSI cycle will be (I's expecting some time early next year), also because of dh low sperm count. I'll be watching your progress with interest

Hugs,
Artoo.

Schmauskin, Good Luck. We had DS after first attempt with ICSI and are about to try for second. Had slight problem with mild OHSS at six weeks my tummy bloated and I looked 6mths pregnant fortunately bloating went down (caused alot of confusion with male work collegues!)As previously said take it easy and be kind to yourself. DH and I made a point of organising a weekend away for afterwards so no matter the outcome we had something to look forward to.

Good luck. I too have a DS (5) as a result of my first attempt at IVF/ICSI.

The implantation bit is just like a smear test really. That is the easiest bit of the whole procedure really.

Oh dear, I HATE smear tests! I always find they hurt like hell - I tense up, feel all shaky and the scraping is hideous!

Ok not like a smear test then! No scraping for a start! But it doesn't hurt honestly.

BudaBeast - did you have spasms or cramping in your tummy during/afterwards?

No - nothing. Felt totally fine afterwards.

Hope I'm the same....

Schmauskin, Good luck for tomorrow we are hoping to have 2 embryos transferred tomorrow if all goes to plan. Fingers and toes crossed for both of us

Good luck ladies. Watching this thread with interest, hope you don't mind. x

schmauskin and sleeplessinhants wishing you both lots of luck for tomorrow. I can remember our transfer like it was yesterday. Keep positive and take it easy. x x

OOps! want I meant to say was - start sniffing tommorrow, transfer some time off!!

Good luck with the sniffing, before you know it it will be transfer time and then hopefully a BFP