Questions Re: IVF/ICSI

[slp]

Hi,

I have recently been told that in order to conceive my boyfriend and I will have to undergo IVF and ICSI. I am terrified about the whole process and am not sure if I am building this up to be worse than it actually is. I know that I definately want to go ahead but at the same time I am frightened.

I would like to hear if anyone feels the same or is it just me being a wimp!!

Thanks x

[rypell1985]

You should go over to the IVF board. No, youre not being a wimp!!!! There is a lot of good info and supportive women over there. That is where I am getting most of my info! Good luck.

[lt81]

Hi

My husband and I are in the exact same boat - glad to hear it's not just me that is terrified! We are also having ICSI. Do you know when your treatment will start?

I'll be doing the short-cycle, so they won't suppress my own hormones first. How about you?

Best of luck to you both!

[slp]

It's reassuring to know i'm not the only one in this situation.

We haven't had our appointment at the IVF centre yet, just been referred so waiting on our appointment.

We're so eager to get started but yet it's frightening to think about the whole process.

[jla018]

I just went through one cycle of IVF with ICSI and am now on my second.
It is really not as scary as it seems, after you go through it.
I don't want to scare you, but none of my eggs made it to the embryo stage, which I am told is uncommon with no real cause, but it happens. But, I also know of women who have had great success from ICSI. I know it is a hard decision, as so many studies are conflicting. We read up as much as we could and feel we are making the right decision.
Our only choice upon hearing the news of our arrested eggs was to just wait until my next period and try again.
We start the gonal-f tomorrow. I have been on lupron for about 2/3 weeks now. I start my frequent monitoring on Tuesday.

Anyway, I have been through it once, so if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.
It is completely overwhelming, both physically and emotionally, but it is definitely not as scary as it seems on paper.
I swear. It doesn't hurt and once you get into the routine, you start to become more hopeful (often for the first time in years of trying naturally). It just helps to stay away from too many scary worst case scenario stories and pamper yourself as much as possible. I would also suggest finding someone to talk to, who specializes in infertility, for the hard times. Nothing is more isolating than this experience, so it is good to have someone to turn to, who won't judge and won't tell you to adopt or to think of all the other positives in your life (for example; i.e. - the things other tell us that should make us feel better, but make us feel lonelier and often worse). Use this time as an excuse to take it easy, get mani/pedis, sleep in when you can, let your hubby take care of you, etc. Be good to yourself and try to stay positive, as hard as it seems. Just think, if all works out and you have a baby, it will all be for a fantastic reason and you may never have to do it again! This is an adventure and it is better to try than to never know.