Advice to noobs

[scaredynoob]

Been TTC for 2y, and finally got past NHS funding, and today was our first information session. I'll be starting my meds next month. I'm so nervous, excited, overwhelmed. Got diagnosed with unexplained infertility, which sucks. I have clockwork 28d periods, which last 4-5d, 13 follicles in each ovary, no medical conditions (although my BMI is 28, ie overweight). I turned 36 last week. I have absolutely no idea what to expect for the next few months. This will be my first IVF/ICSI, and first child ever (if all goes well).

I'm asking all of you here who are further along in your IVF journey, or have even given births... if you could go back in time and talk to yourself when you were just at the start of this process, what would you tell her?

Hi @scaredynoob, sorry you find yourself here but great news that you're starting treatment! We were also diagnosed with unexplained infertility... I was so excited and relieved to move onto treatment and very luckily our second round of ICSI worked after a terrible first round.

A few things I would tell myself, in no particular order:

• take a little time to process information at each appointment, ask all the questions, and advocate for yourself if needed
• take things one day at a time - bad news one day doesn't mean it's all over
• trust your body, but listen to it and try not to push yourself too hard
• be ready for the drop off in numbers from egg collection to blastocyst
• be mentally prepared for the terrible wait that is the tww after transfer, as you go from being constantly in the clinic (or so I felt) to waiting with no info or contact
• without wanting to put a negative spin on things, be mindful that this could turn into a marathon and the first round is sometimes a bit of trial and error to see how you respond to meds, etc., and pace yourself
• it's a true rollercoaster, all feelings and thoughts are more than valid, and take all the so support you can get... for me, an app called Mindful IVF helped, as did sharing on the threads here with others going through similar journeys the same time

Wishing you the very best of luck!!! I find the science behind it all fascinating and feel so incredibly grateful for it and for our son. Hoping this is your time right now x

Thank you @beachbum85 , this sounds lovely, I'll remember all your nuggets