Starting my first IVF...any Advice?

Hi, I'm also starting my 1st IVF as well. My husband and I both just completed all the testing, and my follow-up with the RE is this afternoon. Hopefully after today, things will start moving quickly. I'm also on BCP to prepare for stims, I believe. I've very anxious and nervous as well. Not sure what to expect. It's already been a bit emotionally draining, and I'm sure it will get more stressful during the actual cycle. I'm just trying to stay positive.

So I don't have much advice or experience to share, Wishing, but just thought I'd tell you that you're not alone. Here's hoping that we both do well this first IVF cycle and both get BFP's! Best of luck!

HI Twins. Emotionally drainig is right! I cried through my whole appt. and the whole way home!lol

Looks like we will be on similar timing which is great! Thanks for responding!

My friend told me I shoud maybe find some good positive books or something to keep my spirits up. I thought that was pretty good idea.

I don't want to have the negativity (That i am so used to these days) going through this.

This whole journey has been exshausting.

Best of luck to you too and keep me posted!

It's so hard to stay positive sometimes. This is actually my 2nd struggle with infertility. I finally conceived in 2005 (injectables & IUI) and have 4 year old twins. This time around I was hoping to get pregnant on my own, but after many tests and 3 rounds of Clomid, I found myself needing to go back to the RE. He told me IVF makes the most sense for us, and we'll only be transferring 1 embryo (so there's no possibility of twins again.)

I just got back from my appt. with him, and it looks like I'll be starting stims in a few weeks, as soon as my insurance approves the IVF. They sent me home with TONS of literature and injection class information, etc. Overwhelming. My doc said our chances are good- We're fairly young (both 31) and he said I'm a good "candidate" for IVF. I asked about success rates, and he said single-embryo transfer IVF has about a 30% success rate. I tried not to get worried about that- considering that's a higher success rate than the IUI that got me preggo w/ my twins! So.... I'm TRYING to stay positive, and so should you!

Best of luck to you as well... keep me posted, and try to stay positive. Have you thought about yoga/acupuncture or anything, maybe to relieve some of the stress of this whole thing?

Hi Wishing and Twins, I am in the process of my 1st IVF as well. I am almost done my 2nd week of bcp's and start my Lupron injections on Monday. I know how you feel about all the emotions. I am really scared about the meds. Even though 3 of my IUI's we with injectables, I got my bag of meds at the RE on Tueday and it was overwhelming!! I guess we just have to take it one day and one step at a time. Looking forward to following you ladies through this journey. I think I may be a little ahead. Not sure how many days you have been taking your bcp's twins. I only have a 30% of success with putting 2 back. I guess it's my age (39).

So glad to have found you ladies! This is a hard path to go down alone- it helps to have people who are going through the same thing. One day at a time- I agree! That's the best way to take it.

Technically, I'm on my last week of "active" BCP pills. However, depending on when my insurance approval comes though, my RE has advised me to continue BCP into the next pack WITHOUT stopping to get a period, so that within the next week or 2, I can stop BCP as soon as approval is complete. I'll get a period, begin Menopur, and a few days after that I'll begin Ganirelix (sp?) which will be my suppressant. I am still so new to this that it all seems so complicated and I don't really know all the IVF terminology yet! So it looks like I'll be starting stims within a few weeks. I'm excited but very nervous.

Hi ladies!

Hope everyone is well.

I just bought the book Conquering Infertility. It sounds really good and uplifting.

so I'm confused about something....I also posted another question for DR Q....

I got a call from my re today saying that I won't need the BCP and I will start my Lupron injections of Nov 3rd(day 21 of my cycle) Is this normal not to have to take the BCP?? WHat do they do anyways? I'm kind of nervous. Any thoughts?

I don't want thi sto be any less effective that is for sure!

I'm not 100% sure (since as I said before, I'm still semi-clueless with all this IVF stuff!) but I think the reason for BCP is to be able to control and ensure when you'll get a period. Like for me, as soon as insurance approval comes through, I'll stop the BCP and get a period, then start stims. In your case, do you have regular periods? If so, maybe your RE thinks you don't need BCP because you should get your period right on time (if you normally do). Let me know if Dr. Q answers you... I'm curious what the answer will be.

Hmm...not sure about the bcps Wishing. I believe every protocol is different and I have heard of some ladies on here who didn't take bcp's.

Any update from any of you? I just found out yesterday that my insurance approved my IVF cycle and I'll take my last BCP on Sunday, and start stims as soon as AF arrives next week! I'm very excited but very nervous. Hope everyone else is moving right along and doing well!

HI Twins. I start my Lupron Nov 3rd...not sure how long I take that or when I start my stims....not sure of anything really.lol. I have a another appt Next Friday for all the details.

I only know my retrieval and Transfer will be sometime the last week of Nov.

I'm reading Horrible things about the Lupron. I am on Vacation when I start the injections and I'm terrified of what is going to happen.....does anyone have any comments about the Lupron?

I'm curious to know what its really like.

Keep me posted Twins! GOOD LUCK and Tons of Baby dust. :)