Ivf effects

[firststeps124]

Hello!
I am due to start my first ivf cycle this month - my period is due either today or tomorrow. I have what feels like the most annoying period pains for the last week probably as I am anticipating starting so the treatment can start! Can someone please tell me what to expect in terms of ivf injection effects? Is it similar to a period with the pains and aches? Or just more of a emotional reaction?
thanks xxx

@firststeps124 Hello! I imagine it probably varies from person to person, but I have found my two rounds very different. My first round was short protocol (and I was VERY stressed) and I felt bloated with swollen boobs and aches. This time I am doing long protocol and I’m not stressed at all and I feel very few effects, just a bit of a funny sensation in the ovary region and a bit of an achey back, much like I get before my period.

From reading others experiences, some people feel very bloated and uncomfortable and others don’t feel much. Hopefully it’s the latter for you! Good luck, it will probably not be as bad as you expect!

Good luck @firststeps124! I had the occasional headache and on day 4 I had pain in one shoulder which the clinic said wasn't related but online some people mentioned it. Other than that I didn't feel much until over a week into stims to the point where I was worried that nothing was happening 😄 the nurse said that side effects like slight cramps tend to kick in after 8 days or so and a few days before EC I did feel quite a bit of pressure but not pain as such. And I was very swollen and waddling by the end but it depends on each person and the number of follicles as well. The day after trigger my tummy was a bit funny. Emotionally I was ok just very stressed from the pressure of it all, it's so hard to take things step by step, but I didn't get the overly emotional or angry feelings some describe.

When I did IVF in June it took about 5 days or so to feel any effects. I got a little bloated but not nearly as badly as I expected. I did feel quite heavy inside and about a week in I decided to stop yoga as bending over (i.e. compressing my abdomen) became uncomfortable. I was quite worried beforehand about my mood as I usually get mild PMDD and am sensitive to my natural hormone fluctuations, but I actually felt pretty normal despite the injected hormones.

The most intense symptoms were really after the egg collection. I usually get sore breasts for 3/4 days after ovulation, but after the collection the intensity of the soreness was probably doubled and it lasted about 10 days.

Everyone is different so I’ll speak about my experience. Before the egg retrieval I felt like I’d shoved two basketballs up my foof, so tender but totally manageable, I just sat down carefully etc.
Before the first transfer I was taking estrogen pills and injections, and pessaries too. I was sooo bloated, night sweats and I felt nervous. Like on edge all the time. I’m not great with hormonal birth control anyway so I wasn’t too surprised.
For the second transfer I opted for minimal medication and only had the trigger shot and the progesterone pessaries. I felt better in myself but still very bloated. The only thing I will say is distract yourself with something because the symptoms that the hormones give you are almost the same whether you’re pregnant or not and it’s all consuming the TWW.
Good Luck 🍀💕