I'm starting IVF in April

[plumber43]

Hi I'm 43 and starting IVF at the end of April,  beginning of May....Any advice?

[baby4me2hold]

Hey laddies ! Just a little 411 about the gonal-f pen when you have given the last of the shot from the pen look at it for example the 300 iu pen has 415ius in it  I found you can use a regular needle and get 100ius from the pen after the pen will not go any more so I am saving all the pens in the frig and I will use them that way useing a reg needle if I run out !

[plumber43]

I will give myself the gonal-f shot(pen) and the lupron myself in my belly but the progesterone in my butt will have to be by my husband...the stuff is thick with olive oil in it...yikes..i know i can't do that myself...thanks for the advice!
Melanie

[tryingfor6years]

So are you doing your subq injections on your on? I will tell you that I NEVER thought I would be able to give myself a shot. My friend's mom taught me my literally pushing my hand to do it. Know that it gets better....  Good Luck!!!

[plumber43]

Oh thank you so much my dh feels confident that he can do it, that helps.
thanks for all the good advice, my cycle is due to start on the 25th...really excited.

Melanie
ssbd to you

[alaskacouple]

also...
the sub-q needles/shots aren't that bad ^_^
and when it comes to the im shots.... my dh pretends he is playing darts on my fanny - it makes it easier for the needle to go in :-))

[alaskacouple]

As ummansoor stated, constipation can be a big issue... between the meds, and the 'cocktail' of meds used for retrieval, it does havoc on the system.
Miralax has been a life safer!  With my first couple of cycles (and sorry for the TMI), the constipation hit me about the time of egg transfer. Then I was afraid to 'bear down'... and with some hesitation did.  I can't help but wonder if I 'didn't do damage' - as I am still waiting for BFP. .... others have said that the uterine lining is like peanut butter... but infertility plays tricks on your mind.... and there is always the question of 'what ifs'...
so be prepared for the constipation.... lots of water and miralax....
other than that, be pampered, relax, read, be a vegetable for a couple of days....

Good Luck!!

[plumber43]

Hi thanks so much that was helpful...I'm a little scared, the needles came on friday and I hope i can/he can handle them...Thanks a bunch, I will keep you all posted.

[ummansoor]

I just entered here and it'll give you much better advice :o) Good luck ---> fertilityplus.org/faq/ivfhints.html

[ummansoor]

I'm still trying but I will try my best to give you advice.
1- Avoid caffeine 2- No matter what they say about living a normal life/ not true try to be extra careful. Don't forget it's not a normal pregancy. 3- Avoid mental stress, I heard that's the worst so try to be happier. 4- Folic acid 400 mg is great so that your baby will be healthy.
There will be a lot of discomfort prior to the egg retrieval, that's because the eggs are waiting to come out and tons of constipation. All hormone meds will make you feel like a 90 year old woman but it'll be worth it.
Don't think I have more. Just wishing you the best of luck and please keep us posted on what happens.

[mlb1234]

I am 40y and trying our first cycle in May.  We are doing the consents on Tuesday and I can probably start the Lupron soon after.  I am guessing the retrieval/transfer would be mid May.  Keep me informed on how it goes!  Best of luck!

[kahlua141]

Good Luck! I did my first in March  not as bad as i thought..trying again in June..try to stay positive and keep busy!