It is so hard to realize that IVF is the way to our baby. But it is true that at least we have a way. I tell that to myself on the hard days. When you have your baby you will be so grateful to IVF and I bet you won't trade having gone through all of this. Praying for you and hoping that your hope will be renewed very soon.

its fine, go ahead and cry. and let the office manager know that you feel that you are being treated as a dollar sign, not a patient that needs support. i dont think that anybody is excited about the journey that we have to take. now just keep you fingers crossed for the new year and the new things to come!

I am so sorry you are so sad right now. Between AF and needing to go the IVF route I am sure you are overwhelmed, and all of it happening around the holidays is hard. I was excited about my first cycle but a little scared too. I was scared of the unknown (all the shots and procedures) and of failure. There are days I am very angry that I need to do IF treatments and IVF. I wish I was "normal" and didn't need to go through all of this. What I try to do to get me through is change the way I think of it. It doesn't change the situation but it does help change how I feel.

The fact is that many people have various medical issues they need medications and treatments for. Some are diabetic, heart problems, seizures, physical disabilities, etc. That does not take away our pain, but we are not alone in the world in needing treatments for something medical. For us, unfortunately, it is to help us have a child. Our disease or dysfunction is with our reproductive system and that is what we need to treat. IVF is one of our treatment options.

As FNP mentioned, we are in some ways lucky to have IVF as an option. If we were born a few decades earlier then we were, it would not have been an option for any of us.

It is sad that it costs so much money. I really believe there should be more coverage to have what most the world has naturally, but that is another story for another time.

I am sorry the staff were not more caring towards you. Unfortunately, many medical staff seem colder or harder after doing the same thing for many years. They do in many ways become detached. I don't believe it means they don't care, but they are doing a job and trying to get the facts to us.

The good thing for you is you have all of us who love and care for you. We will be your cheering section every step of the way through your cycle. If you need to cry, we will be your shoulders and if you want to vent, we will be the ears you can vent to. And when you get you long awaited and much deserved BFP, we will celebrate with you! :-)

At the end of each year I feel sad that I still do not have a child. It is another year ending and my arms are still empty. But when January 1st arrives I change it around to thinking that now I am starting a new year full of brand new possibilities and hope! You are beginning a new cycle of hope and so much promise when you start your injections! My cousin got pregnant her first IVF cycle and now has a healthy toddler. I can happen for you too!

Good luck and remember, you are not alone, we are always here! :-)

Good luck with your new medications and treatment. Alternative methods, such as herbs and acupuncture are being tried more and more now, and are scoring some significant successes, so this may be worth looking into.

A German study in 2002 found that there was a 50 per cent increase in success rates in a group of women taking IVF treatment when they combined it with a course of acupuncture (which shouldn't be very expensive). This ancient system in particular helps deal with stress, which is a major factor in many cases of infertility.

It probably isn't a "solution" in itself, but it may just help to tip the balance.

There is quite a lot of information on alternative treatments at http://fertilitywithoutivf.com/knowledgebase. I hope this is of use, and wish you well in your efforts.

I am always disappointed when the nurses are not more compassionate. That is your job!!!! You know that the people calling are going to be stressed, emotional and on meds that exacerbate both! Ahh!

I remember being excited the for the first round of IVF. I had SO much hope. It is hard, though. It isn't how any of us pictured getting pregnant. I still think that I don't want to take all these shots and pills - why can't I just be normal. It is tough BUT this is an avenue for you to hold your child.

Philip makes a good point - think about acupuncture (or some sort of stress relief). I started going to acupuncture 2 years ago for IF. I love it. I just feel balanced. I actually went immeditely before and after my most recent frozen transfer and it took! Something to consider.

Let yourself cry. Get it out. You are normal. It will be ok - better than ok. You are on your way to being a mom! I think it is a GREAT way to start the New Year!

Big hugs!

I am sorry that the nurse was so cold. The truth is that you may have felt differently right now if she had said " Oh my gosh how exciteing... you must be just bursting waiting to strart you IVF journey. We have a lot of success with IVF. I bet you are going to be one of them"!!!! She instead stepped on your feelings. I once said that I didn't need a dr. to hold my hand and tell me that everything was going to be alright, but our IF dr. need to do just that. We wait and pray and sometimes we need someone to hold us up. I cried during my first IUI because that was not thr way I dreamed I would get pregnant. Then I thought about it and just told myself that I would get a baby and that was all I wanted.
I hope the new year brings you a BFP!!!

I know exactly how you feel. After going to my numerous doctor's appointments i felt like a number. The nurses and doctors didn't even know me by name and didn't care how i was feeling. So it's okay to feel the way you do. Everyday i deal with the fact that we have to pay to conceive and everyone else gets this miracle for free.... Good luck to you.