Hi,

I am doing my first round of IVF in February. I have started my BCP's. I start Buserelin injections on Jan 25 and Menopur on Feb 6. I'm a little nervous about the injections. Since this is your 2nd cycle do you have any tips?

Hi, I am starting my shots around January 20th (just waiting for my period) and My ER looks like it will be in the second week of February. This is my first cycle and I am nervous!

Hi all! I'm new to this site and thought I would chime in. I am excited for our first round of IVF in February. After 6 failed IUI's and 1 miscarriage I'm hoping this will work! I think I will be starting my shots around 2/1. Good luck to everyone taking the shots... I'm not looking forward to that part. My husband and I still have to go to some class where they teach on how to give myslef the shots. Just curious but how many embrois will your Dr. transfer? At my place they say they wont do more then 2.

Hello ladies! Looks like our schedules are very similar. My retrieval is scheduled for the week of Feb 15th so about one more month left!

Jgram, I was with Stanford for my first cycle and they are very conservative. I did single embryo transfers both times which is what they recommend. Now I'm at Kaiser and I'm not sure what the doctor will recommend this time around. I'm hoping to transfer two for a set of twins! Just keep in mind that more babies means higher risk pregnancy. I would love trips but not willing to take that risk.

I guess being nervous is natural. My first time around I kind of went into it blindly (aside from what my dr told me and some google searches). In a way, I wish I was more informed so I could be better prepared. This time around I am being very proactive, taking lots of supplements, trying to get all my veggies and fruits, calcium and protein, etc etc. It's a full time job but I'll try anything to increase my odds!

I'm hoping for twins as well. I don't want to have just one child but I can't see myself paying for ivf a second time around.

I'm in the Caribbean and will be doing my ivf at Barbados Fertility Centre.

Hi Ladies,

I am new to the site and this is my first IVF...and probably my last one. I am 38. Just turned 38. I have two completely separate uteri, two cervixes, and I just had a surgery (Dec 26th) to remove a septum from my vagina. I have a miracle baby who is 9 now....we got pregnant on our own after failed IUI. Had a high risk pregnancy and even the drs said I could not carry to term. Then I had 2 miscarriages, I ectopic that ended in a life saving surgery, but lost the tube that was on the side of my right uterus...the one that I got pregnant in 3 times. Adopted our second daughter (4) almost 2 yrs ago. Just started the IVF process and I believe they will do the first blood test right after I start my next period at the beginning of Febuary. Will that make it a February IVF?
I will see my specialist on the 27th this month.
I know my chances are not so good, being 38. Also very scared of the injections....I do get fainty around needles :)) Any tips? Good luck and wishing the best for all of you!!

Just a quick question: I have only been taking prenatal vitamins and CoQ10 for two weeks now. What other supplements are you Ladies taking?

DAgnes, welcome to our little group! You've had quite a journey thusfar! But I had a good feeling reading your story; God willing you will have a successful cycle! I am definitely here for you with answers to any questions that arise since I've gone through it already.

Are you on birth control pills? One thing I've learned being on these forums is that there are many different protocols out there. If you are having your first blood test and baseline ultrasound beginning of Feb then you will begin your stimulation injections right after that (and yes you will be a fellow Feb IVF'er). But again, I'm not positive because there are so many different protocols.

I also was deathly afraid of needles. It was so bad that every time I would get an injection or have blood drawn, I would literally pass out. So learning that I had inject myself repeatedly and have countless blood tests throughout the cycle, I knew I had to get over my needle phobia . Believe or not (and don't laugh!), I ended up going to a hypnotist before I started my first cycle. Yes, it was that bad and I was that desperate! But thankfully (and I was very skeptical) it worked!! The first few times (after my hypnosis) I had my blood drawn, I just sat there for a few minutes waiting to black out, haha, but it never happened! I would highly recommend hypnosis if your phobia is as severe as mine was.

The supplements I'm taking are: Prenatals with folate, fish oil, CoQ10, Maca & Royal Jelly.

DAgnes, from my year long extensive research on increasing your odds during IVF (yes, I'm pyscho lol), I've complied a few things in regards to diet that you may also want to consider. I've completely cut out alcohol, caffeine (I cheat and have a cup of coffee every week or two), chocolate, sugars, gluten and dairy (these last three cause inflammation). I try to have a 2 servings of veggies and 3 servings of fruit a day (all organic!!). I try to get my protein (recommended amount 60 grams) from beans, lentils or meat but most of the time I don't get enough so I try and take a protein shake instead. A Mediterranean diet has shown to improve odds as well so I try to incorporate olive oil, avocados and nuts in there somehow. And lastly, WATER! I aim for 4 bottles a day (usually get to about 3). Absolutely exhausting! I don't get to all of this everyday, by any means, but its my goal.

Anybody experience spotting while on the birth control pills?

My dr office informed me that i should only transfer one because of my age, (im 30) but i have talked to my husband and honestly wouldnt mind twins! Its like you go thru all the shots and you want it to not only work but give yourself the best chances! Ultimatly I believe its our choice and they want ti avoid high risk pregnancies, so Ill have to talk to the doc about it.

I have been on prenatal vitamins for about 6 months now and just started getting back to exercising cut out alcohol but its so hard to give up my caffeine! My doc told me to cut back, and I did give up energy drinks about 3 months ago, but coffee is next! I drink around two to three cups a day! The info about the diet and supplements was really great! I may pick some up thank you!

Im due for my period in 2 days and I have to go to the docs on day 2 or 3 to get the baseline and instructions on how to do the shots! Im so scared and the needles are pretty big, but Im trying to stay positive. Glad we are all here and can complain to eachother about our needles! ;)

Paris605, Your idea about hypnosis is great!! I have not actually fainted yet, but I might give it a try. Anything to get through it. :)) Your diet and supplement regimen is amazing! It made me check into the CoQ10 I have been taking, and decided to up the dose. My reproductive specialist suggested 200-300 mg/day but I have also just stopped Lipitor (cholesterol lowering statin) and now I am reading that people on Lipitor should be taking CoQ10 to counteract that meds side effects. I will also start exercising, now that my surgery site is healing. I just feel like I might not have enough time to cleanse and boost my body with supplements. I have only started all this a few weeks ago.
I think the dr will put me on the pill first for two weeks or so. Will know better on the 27th.

Kathleen, why only single transfer?? They will only single transfer for me because my uterus is half the size of a normal one. It looks like our timeline is very similar with getting the baseline. Let us know how the instructions on the shots go, and also what will be your timeline for meds and all that!

Shazette, yes there can be spotting while on contraceptive. Are you spotting? Where are you with your meds?

I am praying for you ladies! I am praying that God has a great plan for all of us and hoping that it involves pregnancies!

DAgnes I had spotting on Saturday and Sunday both times in the morning. At the moment I'm only using the birth control pills. I'm scheduled to start my shots on Sunday 25th.

So it looks like we will all be around the same timeframe! Does anyone know if it is okay to take the supplements while on the shots?

Shazette, I am sure the spotting is nothing, but do tell your doctor. So how long are you/will you be on the contraceptive?
Kathleen, there might be some herbal supplements you should not take, but I prenatal vitamins should be fine. Maybe Paris605 knows as this is her second IVF cycle.

So, I had all the intentions to eat healthy today and exercise but got no sleep last night as my husband was feeling ill. There is no eating healthy when you are exhausted. :(