IVF Experience

[IVFNewbie2021]

Hi all,
Me and my husband have recently been told the only way to conceive will be through IVF. This is our first time, and I kind of feel a bit in the dark. We’re lucky to be offered two rounds through the NHS, and we’ve chosen our clinic, but I have no idea of how to feel or what to truly expect?! I know the process, but I felt they gave me the “fluffy” version and not what it truly entails. I understand everyone’s journey is different, but If anyone can share their experience and I’d like to know what it was like doing the egg collection? I don’t know why but that’s the one part I’m dreading the most, am I being ridiculous?!

Hi @IVFNewbie2021
I felt in over my head when I finally accepted that IVF was going to be the only way to have a baby. I really recommend the Podcast BFN (Big Fat Negative). Loads of info and stories to help you feel less isolated.
I have just had a round that sadly ended in a negative test but I didn't find the process that bad. Some tablets, and then injections that were far more straightforward than I'd imagined. The egg collection was fine but I was sore for a few days after so take enough time off work to recover.. it took me 3 days but I had a lot of follicles.
The hardest part is preparing yourself for bad news along the way or, it not working even after a lot of positive feedback along the journey. Try to be positive, but also realistic, prepare for bad news but visualise it working.. it all takes a lot out of you.
I'm heading into a frozen transfer next month where the whole head f**kery will start again!
Hopefully if you can get your head around it, the physical side won't be that bad.
Very best of luck X

@IVFNewbie2021 Hi, sorry to hear this might be the only way.
Ive been through one round which sadly the pregnancy ended at 8 weeks, I’m getting geared up to start my frozen next month.
I didn’t find the injections that bad at all, although I know everyone is different. The collection was uncomfortable at the time but the pain kicked in a few hours later, it wasn’t unbearable and a few pain killers took the end off, I did book the next day off work though.
I have to agree with Piapea, the hardest part is by far the constant worry and upset of getting bad news or it not working. No matter how prepared you feel for the bad news it never gets any easier.
Good luck to you and @Piapea good look on nexts months frozen, all our tears will be worth it in the end xx

Thank you so much! I’ll make sure to book enough time off work afterwards. I’m not getting my hopes up but also dreading the worst case. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, but wish you all the best for next months frozen X

Hi @Piapea This has really helped a lot. Thank you!
ill make sure to start listening to the pod cast, but what you’ve said has put my mind to ease regarding the process. I wish you all the best for next month x x

Hi for me ivf was more emotionally hard. Physical yes you inject and egg collection you get sore. I had ivf first time failed it was really hard I was numb. The full 4 and half years of trying I was numb felt nothing but pain . I got 18 eggs the first time only one strong enough to put back in didn't work was devastating I had nothing to freeze. Second time round it happen all again 18 eggs only one strong enough I was devastating thought the same was happing again none to freeze one put back in . That one egg out of a total of 36 eggs is currently laid in her cot asleep aged 5 and 1/2 months. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do but the best if it works doesn't work for all sadly . But fingers crossed xxx

As others have said, every clinic is different. Mine starts the process with downregulation injections, which stop your cycle - essentially put you into a menopause-like state. The injections didn't hurt at all, but I had lots of side effects - mainly just felt really weepy almost all the time. The stims after gave me a bit of nausea but emotionally I was back to myself, but as you get close to egg collection you do feel uncomfortable with all the eggs in there.

Egg retrieval itself was totally fine. My clinic gives an optional prescription for diazepam for the evening before and morning of, so everything feels groovy 😄I felt mostly out of it and was over before I knew it. It does take a lot longer to heal than I expected though, if you can tame the time between egg retrieval and transfer off, I would recommend.

The process is mentally draining, I'm still not quite sure how to find that sweet spot between trying to be optimistic but also being prepared for things to not work out.

When I first got accepted for IVF I was so over the moon because we didn't think we would be accepted due to my husband being a rugby lad and his BMI being too high. But thankfully we appealed and were accepted. The paperwork side of it can be confusing but our clinic were really helpful. When I got all the medications delivered and started my contraceptive pill I felt overwhelmed. I hadn't been on birth control for the 6 years we had been trying and it felt like a step back but I had to remind myself it was just the start of the next step. The injections I found to be easy and I was lucky enough to have little to no side effects. Egg retrieval was a breeze I literally don't remember any of it because the sedation made me forget. Unfortunately they only collected 5 eggs. Only 3 were mature. Only 2 fertilised and only 1 made it to day 3 where we were lucky enough to make it to transfered. I found the transfer to be such a beautiful moment with my husband watching it all on screen and getting a picture of our little embryo to take home. Even though we made it to transfer we knew the chances of it working were low and we were very much prepared for it to be unsuccessful. The 2 week wait sucks I won't lie. I found it hard having 'symptoms' like sore boobs and cramps because they could all be down to my period approaching, the progesterone pessaries I was taking or possible pregnancy and there is no way at all to know. But the wait was worth it as we finally got our BFP after 6 years of trying and one miscarriage!! I am now nearly 6 weeks and very anxious to have our 7 weeks scan soon.
IVF is scary and hard at times but anyone who has suffered with infertility is more than strong enough to get through it and it is so worth it!!! Good luck ❤️

@SamSheers thank you so much for sharing your experience so far. It’s definitely given me confidence and excitement to start the process (which I was more dreading then looking forward to) as I’m always a worst case scenario thinker. I wish you all the luck for your seven week scan! X x