ivf coverage

well i have been through alot over the years trying to have a baby, i lost both of my tubes and my new insurance covers ivf,, we are so excited...... i just dont know what to expect and i am scared.. i have been pregnant 5 times and they all ended badly.... can someone tell me what to expect with ivf.. how long is the process?????

[Heather5]

That's awesome! You're so lucky to have IVF coverage! The IVF process basically goes over two months. The first month to suppress your ovaries (you'll probably be on lupron and possibly also birth control); and the second month to stimulate your ovaries, grow the follicles, retrieval and transfer. Most women are on the follicles stimulating meds for about 10 days or so. Once the eggs are considered mature, you'll get a trigger shot and will have your retrieval about 36 hours after that. Then the transfer usually takes place either 3 of 5 days after retrieval. After that it's the long 2 week wait, during which you'll be on progesterone (and probably estrogen) to mimic a natural cycle. If you're pregnant, you'll continue theses supplements through the first trimester (or until you're 10-12 weeks, depending on your doctor).

Best of luck with everything!!!

[mhv]

I just wanted to say congrats on the insurance coverage!!!  It is a godsend!!!  We had it for 2011, and did 2 fets...they cost us $40 a piece!!  It was so great to get those bills, and see...paid!  Total cost due...$40.   Enjoy!!!!!!! :)

[Jennie1211]

Yes, you are so, SO lucky to have coverage (we didn't...18K later, here I am LOL!) The whole IVF process can seem overwhelming at first, but once you start, your head just gets into an entirely new mindset...you'll see. Doing the injections to prepare you for the egg retrieval seems a lot scarier than it really is, too. Just thought I would add that since that part was what freaked me out the most. The needles are small and are really no big deal. The progesterone shots that you have to do after the transfer are the least fun because the needle is bigger, but you get used to them pretty quick. I just had my husband do mine...by the third time, I didn't even care anymore. Good luck to you :) !  

[martin430]

Well You came to the right place woman from all over all different health issues ages and so many success stories . The process like the last few ladies have written seems dead on. I too lost both tubes and although I live in NY I have the God send to work for a Co that is inc in IL so Thank You Blue cross of IL. lol. Welcome and I hope your 1st time is a BFP (big fat prenancy)

[jnitro26]

thank you everybody, that was very helpful and thanks for all the warm wishes...and yes the injections are scary to me, and is it painful when they do the retrieval?

[Heather5]

The injections are really no big deal. You'll get used to them in no time. As for the progesterone shots mentioned above, your may or may not be on them. I was on a vaginal progesterone supplement after my IVF (crinone), so no needles involved once retrieval ended (actually, I lie, I was on blood thinning shots throughout the pregnancy, but that had nothing to do with IVF). It just depends on what your RE prefers. You'll be under full anesthesia during retrieval, so you won't remember a thing. I felt pretty sore in the abdominal area after, but not too bad. It just kinda hurt to laugh too hard and I was walking a little forward-bendt for a couple of days. Oh, and I felt VERY bloated after (that, however, continued throughout the first trimester! I think the progesterone supplements probably played a role there!). Oh, and just FYI, I had no side effects form the meds. Not physically or emotionally.

So no worries, you'll be fine!

:-)

[Jennie1211]

Yeah, the retrieval is not bad at all, I agree. It's over really fast. By the end of the meds I felt pretty yucky just because I had a lot of eggs stuffed in there and your ovaries will swell up from the size of almonds to the size of oranges. It was uncomfortable to walk and sit and even lie down. But I really didn't have any side effects from the meds. I found the transfer to be a bit more painful because you have to drink a lot of water before they do the transfer and then they insert a catheter in there to do the transfer while pressing on your abdomen (advice--slam the water soon before the transfer. I did it in the waiting room and then had to wait about 30 more minutes before the transfer. I thought I was going to have an accident!) But the transfer is over pretty quickly-- like 10 minutes. It'll all be over before you know it :)

[Ahnie777]

I had 4 MC and 1 ectopic in April 2011 and was tired of TTC even though it's my hearts desire.  My DH and I decided to try IVF, but insurance didn't cover it.  You are so blessed that you don't have to pay for it out of pocket!  
I documented my ICSI IVF process on my blog.  If you'd like the link, let me know.  My egg retrieval was 2 days ago and transfer is this Sunday!  We have 9 embryos to work from and we're thankful.  Staying hopeful!