First Attempt at IVF

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 10:58 am

Hi This site is wonderful - I have been reading through all your messages for the past few weeks and have already learnt so much from you all. Our story so far....we have been tcc for 3 years, I'm almost 33 and DH is 36. I have PCOS and In January 2001 I had laposcopic ovarian drilling - which worked as in it made me ovulate regularly (so the blood tests revealed), however still did not manage to conceive. DH had a lowish sperm count due to a Varicocele (vein in the testicle) so we decided, to maximise our chances, he would have a small procedure which was carried out in August 2001...again this was a success and now he has a very healthy sperm count. Having both had these operation over a year ago we really thought that we would get the desired result. Unfortunatly not. We are due to start with our first attempt at IVF and I start taking the nasal spray on the 16th Oct. A quick question - I keep reading different things about the 2ww and whether I should take the 2 weeks off from work (don't want to tell my male boss why, although really nice, don't want him to know that I am tcc) know I'm jumping ahead quite a few weeks but need to book the time off shortly if I need to. It is great to have you all here as support - I'm sure I'll be in contact quite a lot once I start the drugs. Sending massive amounts of luck to us all! Michelle

Sandra S · Post by **Sandra S** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 1:06 pm

Hi Michelle Sorry to hear you two have been through so much. This sight is a god send. I am in a similar situation - ttc 3.5 yrs, age 34 (tomorrow - AHHH!), DH 37. I failed ICSI and having frozen embryos put in in November. Views tend to vary on the 2WW. People have had success staying at home and going to work during this period. I stayed at home because it fell in with my annual holiday anyway. I have to say by the end of it I was pulling my hair out and wished I had something else to think about. I think it depends on you at the end of the day - will you blame yourself if you fail and have gone back to work. My friend has just had success on her 1st IVF (although she has had several IUIs) and she went back to work the day after ET. I will go back to work next time after 2 or 3 days rest as I will be worried if go back any earlier. Also depends what you do for a living - I have an office job so can sit around all day! The main thing is do what you feel comfortable with so that you are not stressed out. Also drink plenty of water and milk. Good luck Sandra X

nicolam · Post by **nicolam** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 1:21 pm

Hi Michelle Don't mean to put a damper on things, but I assume you've been given a treatment plan with the outlined dates of various stages of treatment. It's just that if it's your first time, your consultant can only really guess how you're going to react to the various drugs, so you might find dates changing slightly in your plan, if you need a bit more of a drug to down reg or stimulate follicles. That's what happened to me. So maybe you could book the time off provisionally and point out that it might change slightly? I'm just thinking that you really don't want the extra stress of worrying that you needed some extra time at the end. Everyone does things differently but I've taken the time off after e/c as you're backwards and forwards anyway around that part of the treament, and might be a little sore after e/c. Then aimed to have the first week of the 2ww off. However, I've always gone back to work a couple of days after e/t, as it was really busy and I was getting so depressed sitting at home! (If things don't work out, then some people take time off after the 2ww to go on holiday and re-charge their batteries. Sorry, that's so pessemistic, but it's also realistic). It is complete pain about keeping it from work - I just said I was having some treatment done of a personal nature. However, I think my boss caught me on this site a few months ago, but has never said anything! It's my third go, so it gets worse trying to come up with excuses, so I have told a few female colleagues so they know why I'm off lots of half days and they can back me up. It's so delicate that I don't think people really know what to say. Unfortunately IVF often doesn't always follow a rigid plan, so I just felt I should point this out. The very best of luck. Nicola x

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 2:15 pm

Hi Sandra and Nicola So nice to hear from you both. Sandra, wishing you a very Happy Birthday for tomorrow - this will be your best year yet....everything crossed that by your 35th you'll have a gorgeous baby in your arms. Thanks for your advice about the 2ww. I'm lucky I have an office job as well so nothing strenuous at all! Nicola, you make really good points about how I'll react to the drugs - I'm going to the hospital (Guys) on Thursday to get my timetable so will get a better idea then...and I guess work will just have to be flexible. I've got quite a bit of holiday time left so will probably take a couple of days off after e/c and a week off after e/t...but we'll see. How many days did you have between e/c and e/t? I get on great with my boss, I just hope I don't get too stressed, irritable with the drugs that he notices something is up. When I had to take time off for my Ovarian Drilling last year (2 weeks) I just said I had female problems - how embarassing (I know it shouldn't be - but it was!) Thanks so much. Michelle x

beck · Post by **beck** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 8:02 pm

hi michelle well firstly WELCOME!! ive just started ivf im on day 19 of down regging (sniffing)and im ok !! ive booked 2weeks from ec so ill go back about 1 1/2wk after e/t like the others have told you everyone is differant !! im office based like you but am under a lot of pressure there and i deal with people all day. so me and my partner have decieded to have days out!! anyway im at guys to !!! and i go this thursday for my scan to start stimms..small world!! i hope your first appointment goes well the staff there are lovely!! ask as many questions as you can keep intouch beck xx

DEBORAH DAVIES · Post by **DEBORAH DAVIES** » Mon Sep 30, 2002 9:02 pm

Hi To you ALL out there I HAVE AT LAST WORKED OUT HOW TO USE THIS EMAIL/INTERNET AFTER 3 DAYS NON-STOP. I have been trying to get preg. for approx 3 1/2 years with obviously no succes!! SAD I have been on my nasal sprays for 3 weeks now and I am going back to hospital on Wednesday morning at The Life Centre in Newcastle. I am hoping my results so far are good so that I can start on my injections from Thursday. My hubby is getting excited at the thought of injecting me-JOKE!!!!! If everything goes to plan I go into hospital on Wednesday 16 October to have my eggs removed and have them transferred back in on Friday 18 October. I don't know about you lot but deep down you want to get excited about the outcome but you also have reservations that it is not going to work and you feel so let down yet again. A lot of friends and work collegues are preg. you feel happy for them but also so envious of them and how dare they get preg. when you cannot. Will let you all know the outcome of my hospital visit. DEB XXX

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 10:25 am

Hi Becks What a coincidence that we are both at Guys (and there on Thursday) - I've been there a couple of times already and they really do seem lovely. I think it makes sense taking off 2 weeks from e/c - I'll probably do the same - I'm just excited to get my schedule on Thursday so we can finally start the whole thing. Hi Debs I so know how you feel about your friends and colleagues being preggers - most of my friends are now onto their 2nd baby and I've been married for longer than some of them! It just seems so unfair. I'm really sick of people asking me when I am going to have a baby - they just seem so insensitive (especially as I am so sensitive about it)...anyway I've only told a couple of friends that we are ttc as I don't want the added pressure of friends asking me each month - well? I think that will just cause more stress. I'm not normally a closed person at all, but this is just so private. Anyway enough complaning - I really am happy for my friends, just dead jealous! It will happen for all of us....just taking a longer than it should! Michelle x

DEBORAH DAVIES · Post by **DEBORAH DAVIES** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 5:47 pm

HI MICHELLE IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT FEELS SO SENSITIVE ABOUT THIS MATTER WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT BABIES. WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR TREATMENT? I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY HOSPITAL APPT DEBSXX

Michelle · Post by **Michelle** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 9:56 pm

Hi Debs I'm going to the hospital on Thursday to get my schedule...but think that I will start taking the nasal spray from the 16th - the day you are due for your e/c (lucky you being ahead of me - I just want to get on with it now). Yes, pls let me know how your appointment goes. Take care. Michelle x

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 1:06 am

good luck for the future.........keep cool

DEBORAH DAVIES · Post by **DEBORAH DAVIES** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 7:48 pm

Hi Michelle & Anita Thanks for your words of comfort. Been to Newcastle Life Centre and my nasal spray treatment has gone according to plan - Thursday morning I start my injections. Go back to hospital on 10th for further checks but so far so good. FINGERS, ARMS, TOES, LEGS ETC ETC CROSSED FOR ALL OF US. I will keep cool. Will speak again soon. LOVE DEBS XX

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