Hi there,

I know exactly what you mean about the needles! I just finished my 1st IVF cycle and the progesterone needles scared me and my husband at first. But, before the time came to use those, they 'taught' us how to do it in the office for the first time. They are long, which makes it really scary, but what helped me so much was to hear the nurse say that your nerves only go maybe a 1/4 inch and then you don't feel it after that. And she's exactly right.

This is a time that will bond you to your husband in a very unique way.

If you knew me, and you knew how many times I've fainted either because of a shot or being in a hospital, you'd know that you're gonna make it, too!

Enjoy the excitement...it is an absolutely fascinating process!

hello,
we didnt have to do ivf but we went through 11 months of treatment including lots of blood draws, ultrasounds, and injecting meds into my tummy. you get used to all of the needles and the ultrasounds are nothing. i got so comfortable with my doc during the ultrasounds that i would push the sheet down to make eye contact when we spoke! the first day is the hardest!
good luck!

I suffer from a needle phobia. A simple blood test would result in crying and hyperventilating (I can't even see a needle on television). I had my first IVF cycle in September. My DH gave me all my injections (I did give myself one at the RE so I knew I could do it if I had to). For the first week, I cried during every one. The Lupron ended up being no big deal. i was groggy in the morning and couldn't even feel it (I kept my eyes closed during prep and until the needle was disposed of). The Menopur burned badly but what option did I have? The night of the trigger I paced and paced and paced (we had to do it at 11:30pm) and my heart just raced out of my chest. I tell you all this because if I rewind back one year ago when I was naive enough to believe I wasn't going to become a "science experiment" I insisted I would never ever endure any of it- I wasn't strong enough. But every single day I would get up and long for a baby. Even a needle phobic like me can survive IVF. I wish you the best of luck. You are stronger than you realize.

My husband does all of our injections, and I don't even look. Browney is right - your relationship will definitely strengthen and you will learn that you can (and do) trust him with anything.

One suggestion: my first doc had us do the HcG shot with the big needles (in the rear). However, we switched docs when we did IVF last month, and they let us switch to the small needles to do HcG in the tummy, and that was MUCH better.

We all do it because the end result is definitely worth it - Good luck!

Hello,

First, IVF is a process that nobody enjoys because of the needles, blood work and u/s.

I went through 3 cycles(1 complete cycle and 2 canceled) and the most scary part was the IV for egg retrieval. I used to sweat, get hot and feel nauseous when it came to bloodwork or needles. After doing the 1st cycle, I kinda got used to it.

When it came time for the trigger and PIO shots, I iced the area for a bit then injected. The ice seems to numb the area and you dont feel it as much. And DH did those injections since they had to go in the butt check.

Soon after my 3 failed IVF cycle, I learned that I have Type 1 diabetes and need to inject myself everyday for the rest of my life. IVF kinda made the needle process a bit easier to handle.

Good luck to you and DH!

You'd be suprised how quickly you get over the whole 'needle' thing. When its just a step to your ultimate goal of having a baby nothing will stand in your way. Besides people with diabetes do it every day sometimes for the rest of their lives.

You can do it. I am in a cycle now just waiting for my pregnancy test and I found that I started looking forward to it.. Because each injection I take is one day closer to having a baby..GOOD LUCK.. But you will be surprised how strong you are!!!