We've decided to do IVF - what was your IVF cycle like?

Question

I know a little bit about it because I've donated eggs, but I don't know what all of it is like. Can you tell me what the steps/medications/appointments in your cycle were like? I'm planning to take at least a week off for egg retrieval & transfer. Do you think I should take more? We have our consultation appointment on Monday, but I'd love to know your experiences.

Thanks so much for your time :)

Answer 1

I am 34 and my husband is 36 - our diagnosis was unexplained infertility. After 2 1/2 years of trying - 3 IUI's with Clomid and 3 IUI's win injectible medications that all ended in failure - we completed our first IVF cycle in December. The egg retrieval was on December 25 - what a way to spend Christmas - under anesthesia!

I worked my entire cycle (more or less). The cycle started with a couple of weeks on the pill to supress my cycle followed by Lupron and Gonal F injections. Our RE has early morning hours so when it was time for bloodwork or ultrasounds, I was able to go in around 7AM, get it done and head to work without having to let my boss know. The only pain was not actually knowing when the retrieval would be because they monitor you, monitor you, monitor you and then tell you . . . ok, do the trigger shot tonight and come to the office in 2 days. Our retrieval ended up being Christmas so it took over the holidays but did not impact work. Our transfer ended up being on a Friday so I just took a sick day. The only days that I really would not have been able to work would have been the retrieval due to the anesthesia and the transfer because I was sore and just wanted to put my feet up for the day!

Here is my actual experience - We arrived at the office at 8:30 AM, got changed into a hospital gown and they checked the blood pressure and took my temp. When I went into the procedure room, they put me under anesthesia and then it was over. I think I was under for about 15 - 20 minutes. I woke up in recovery. I stayed in recovery for about an hour, they let me eat crackers and drink some water. When I was ready, DH got the car, pulled it around to the front and I walked easily from recovery to the car.

As to pain - not too bad - I compare it to slight cramping and the sensation of doing too many crunches at the gym. Sore in the mid section. The anesthesia did a number on me, I spent the rest of the day sleeping on the couch. The next day was better - gradually the soreness started to fade.

Transfer was a breeze - the worst part was hanging out with a full bladder while they transfer the embryos. It was much like an IUI.

My advice is to not read into everything. They only retrieved 11 eggs and only 2 fertilized - much less than we were hoping for. Instead of going for a 5 day blastocyst, they did the transfer of both embryos at day 3. It definitely felt like things were going wrong . . . but in the end we got the good news!

We got our BFP on January 8th. AND found out on January 29th that we are expecting twins! I am now 32 weeks 2 days pregnant with our daughter and son (knocking on wood) all is going well!

Feel free to contact me with any questions - you can contact me through my profile!

Answer 2

I"m a 4x egg donor and have also done several IVF's as a surrogate. You know what the worst part is like, the transfer part is a breeze compared to retrieval and leading up to it. The transfer itself is just like having a catheter put in and you can watch the embies go in and that's it. Some Dr's require bedrest and some don't but I would defintitely take it easy at least 24hrs (more if you can). From retrieval to transfer you will be monitored to make sure your lining thickens up, hormone levels are good and when the embies are at their best..usually 3 or 5 days post retrieval you will have the transfer done. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Horrible, painful, emotional, and disappointing.  The shots hurt.  The doctor appointments were time-consuming and humiliating.  I was constantly on edge and nervous while I was at work, and felt guilty all the time I was off work.  The bad news at the end of the cycle made me want to puke and then not get out of bed.  And let's not even begin to talk about the cost.  I've come to believe that you will not get a candid answer to this question.  Women who got pregnant will say that the IVF cycle wasn't that bad.  Women for whom IVF was a last resort, and who did not get pregnant, will tell you it sucked.  I fall squarely into the latter category, so you can take my answer with a grain of salt.