You will probably get a lot more answers if you ask this on the regular infertility board. It's way more active and I know a lot of women are doing or have done progesterone injections! Wishing you well on your first IVF!

Thanks carriedawn, I'll give it a try!

PIO shots are freaky. Actually my experience is that the first time or two of doing any new shot is a little freaky. But then after you've done it you know what to expect and then it's not so scary. And luckily you start IVF small with only one shot of Lupron a day and then build on that later after you are used to the idea of poking yourself with a needle everyday. And it's amazing to find out what things you can do.

What you've been told about being on the progesterone for 10 weeks is sort of accurate. 10 weeks of pregnancy. Remember that by the time you've gotten the BFP you are technically 4 weeks along already so then it's 6-8 weeks more depending on your doc. Plus some docs will let you try the pills and suppositories after you've gotten your BFP so it may be less.

I won't lie about the PIO shots. They hurt. Mine are with a 22 gauge needle (thick) and they are 1 1/2 inches long. I have to lean over the counter hugging my pillow while my husband gives them to me. It hurts going in and then it hurts more while he pulls back on the plunger (to check for blood because it would be really bad if he injected it into a blood vessel) and then he counts to ten for me while he gives it. We call this my daily dose of pain and suffering. Luckily it's short lived and I thank God every night that it's only one shot per day instead of 3 or 4 like it was during the Stims.

The PIO shots give you a sore butt. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of advice about it. Here's what we've learned: hold the syringe with the PIO in it in your hands for a few minutes to warm up the meds so that it goes it easier. Also avoid going low because those are more painful. So far I've only spent one day limping around but I wouldn't be surprised if I have a couple more of those days in my future before I'm done.

I hope that doesn't sound horrifying. But I wouldn't want less than the truth myself so there you have it. Hopefully your IUI will come through for you and you won't have to find out how PIO shots feel after all, but if you do, I'm sure you can do it. Be strong. Good luck.

Well, I had to do PIO injections for 10 weeks of my pregnancy because I had borderline low progesterone and was spotting. My best advice to you is this... massage the area of the injection A LOT after it is done. It helps to distribute the oil through your system and not have it gunk (like my technical term) up in the area of the injection site. Also, do the injection around dinner time so that you are up a while and moving around before bed. The nights that we forgot and did it later, I was really hurting in the morning. Lastly, be prepared to feel like your butt muscles are sore for months. I can remember if I would sit down hard or if my son would accidentally bump my butt asking me for something (he's 3) that I would wince with a little pain. I am now ready to deliver Dec. 10 and I feel like my butt is finally back to normal. GOOD LUCK! Message me with any questions.

I wish I could say they are no big deal like all the subQ shots we do in the belly, but I would be lying. They hurt a lot, but I usually ice for 15 minutes so I can't feel them going in, but I agree about massaging VERY well afterwards. The nights I get lazy about rubbing the area, I have a big itchy lump on my butt that really hurts the next day. And I agree with others that your butt just seems to be in pain and itchy for as long as you have to do them.

Good luck. You'll get through it, but we all know it's about the worst part of the whole process.

I really appreciate everyone's candor about the shots. The nurse was saying it's no big deal, but when I saw the size of that needle I nearly passed out. And I knew they had to hurt, so the honest opinions really meant a lot to me as did all the suggestions on how to reduce the pain involved. Knowledge is power right? Thanks everyone! As always DS girls ROCK!

The nurse who said that to you has become accustomed to looking at that needle. Honestly, you learn to deal with it. Like i mentioned before the first couple of times you do any new regiment of shots it's kind of scary but you learn how to deal with it and then it's not so terrifying. Still no fun but at least not terrifying. You become more accustomed to the needle and shot too. (Actually I have my DH prep the meds and I try not to look at the needle at all and just focus on relaxing and breathing.)