Lessons I've learned from IVF experience. Please read if you are going through IVF

Forum Index » Infertility Support and Discussion

1 2 3 ► Go

Go to page...

12/20/2008 01:35

Subject: Lessons I've learned from IVF experience. Please read if you are going through IVF

Anonymous

I've been through 6 ivfs and finally I am a mother! Here are some of the lessons I learned. I wish someone had shared this with me so here goes:

1. eliminate stress -- including a job that has you on edge.

2. bed rest for 48 hours after transfer

3. eliminate coffee, chocolate (caffeine)

4. have positive thoughts -- keep yourself in good spirits (watch a funny movie, read a good book, watch the cooking channel). when that negative thought creeps in, call your mom or a friend who understands...

5. if you are religious, pray, pray, pray

6. if you have had more than 2 failed IVFs look at your doctors success rates and compare those rates to other doctors. If you are doubting your doctor or find that his rates are low - consider moving on to another facility/dr. who specializes or has had experience in your particular issue (e.g. tubal issues vs. genetic issues). The lab really matters. Make sure you know how the good the lab is.

Do your own research. Know your own body. Question everything the doctor, nurses, and lab staff do (but still be nice

).

ALL clinic success rates are published annually on: http://www.cdc.gov/ART/index.htm. Please, please check out how good your clinic is.

7. surround yourself with positive people. this is your time to be selfish. if you can't handle your friend's baby shower, call in sick (it's hard for her to understand your absence unless she's really empathetic or has been through it)

8. find a support group or girlfriends who are going through what you are going through. check out resolve.org

9. talk to your significant other. this is a difficult time for both of you. a few marriages struggling with infertility end up in divorce. any issues you may have had before infertility are now going to surface. you need to step back and communicate and listen and respect each other's different ways of handling dissapointment. you, especially you, need your husband at this time.

10. get organized. make sure you have yourself on a strict shot schedule. don't forget the exact timing of that last shot for stim (can't remember what it's called, was it hcg? not sure. but you know the one - they give you a time to the minute to take that shot)

11. give yourself a break - what I mean is -- those hormones will make you nutty. don't beat yourself up for saying the wrong thing etc. it's ok. it's the drugs, not YOU.

12. if you can, take 1.5 weeks off. 1/2 a week for stim and another week AFTER transfer. Have a relative help you out for the first 48 hours after transfer. don't do a thing. let him or her get you breakfast/lunch/dinner. just lay flat.

hope that helps. i know that this was one of the hardest things i've ever been through. i wish the best for you. just know, whatever the outcome, don't give up. YOU WILL HAVE A CHILD THAT YOU LOVE. baby dust all around.