IVF - what do you wish you'd known before you started

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That pregnancy, childbirth and what follows is more challenging. This is just the beginning

Daily shots and procedures that are akin to a Pap smear will pale in comparison to the stress of carrying a badly wanted baby and the pain involved with dealing with it.

Looking back I was very stressed and fearing IVF and I wish I hadn’t done it. I wasn’t meant to have children.

I'm genuinely sorry for all you went through, PP. To OP, for what it's worth, I have had a really fun, rewarding experience as a parent (due largely to a supportive partner), that has eclipsed the difficulties of IVF. Everybody - and every body - is different.

None of that is to diminish PP's pain, though. Glad to discuss some mental health resources if needed. Sending my best.

[Anonymous]

PP, OP says second infertility. They are like this random poster who is being really negative about having kids on a board with people facing infertility.

[Anonymous]

I was really glad we did shared risk, since it took away the financial impact of failure. This was before there was any Fed insurance coverage. My husband was in charge of all the shots and mixing meds, which really helped (I only did my own shots on work travel).

IMHO, the stress of infertility was worse than when I had breast cancer a few years later. I am glad I made it through both experiences and wish you the best!