Top 10 Reasons IVF is Like Pregnancy

For those following along on The FaceBook Page of the blog, you may know we've hit a small bump in the road along our IVF journey.  This past monday I had another bloodwork and ultrasound check up to make sure that all was going well with the stimulation meds.  Unfortunately, all was not going well...  As I had mentioned previously, there are two stages of an IVF Cycle - Suppression and then Stimulation.  During the suppression phase I responded really well.  So well in fact, that now, during the stimulation phase my ovaries are still a little bit sleepy and haven't made as many follicles as we were hoping.  In reality, this is not the huge blow it at first seemed like.  All this really means is that my stimulation meds dose has been increased, and we'll be postponing our egg retrieval by one week.  (Update:  I'm responding great to the new dose!!  ER is THIS week!! Yea!!)  Having waited already almost four years, you would think that one extra week is nothing, but it was heart breaking news to hear at first.  This whole process I have been preparing myself for the fact that I may not get pregnant.  It never once even crossed my mind that I may not make enough eggs - as this has never been a factor in our infertility.  Luckily, our doctor is not worried in the slightest and even hopes that with the little extra time we may have more than plenty of lovely ripe eggs once my ovaries do get with the program.  This is great news not only for this cycle, but also subsequent pregnancies.  To remind myself of how very close we are, I bring you this list.  :)  Enjoy!  

1) Blood Tests and Ultrasounds.  I have seen my ovaries and the inside of my uterus more in the last 6 weeks than most women do their entire pregnancies.  

2) Cravings for things I never cared for before.  Chocolate is not safe in my house.  Nutella doesn't make it on to anything except the spoon.

3) Food Aversions.  Normally I don't have a problem with meat.  However at the moment even the thought of anything other than a very light fish or chicken is nauseating.  Luckily for me, I've been falling more and more in love with quinoa for my protein!  

4) The Heat Bill.  Even though we're spending thousands on IVF, at least we're saving a few bucks on our heat bill, as overnight I have turned into a small self contained little inferno.  

5) IVF Bump.  Everyone knows what a baby bump is.  Insiders tip: I've been in maternity jeans for the last two weeks because my belly is too sore and swollen from injections to fit in to my regular jeans.

6)  I Miss My Sofa.  I spend more time in the bathroom having to pee than actually relaxing on the sofa.

7) Hormonal Insomnia.  Going to bed at 9pm is staying up late.  And waking every few hours is totally normal.  This one is quite closely to do with #4 and #6.

8) IVF Brain.  Similar to pregnancy brain.  Between remembering what dose of injections to take and when, keeping track of ultrasound stats, RE appointments, acupuncture appointments and more... remembering simple things like 'Did you remember to feed to cat?' slip off the radar.  

9) The IVF Club.  It's a really crappy club - yes.  But the members are awesome...  And just like pregnancy it will change you forever.  

10) All About The Baby.  Literally, every move you make during IVF you're thinking about if this is safe for the eggs/ embryos / your womb that will hopefully soon house your baby.  It's an all out, non-stop obsession about a person that doesn't even exist yet.  

This exact scene may or may not have played out in our house recently... bloated belly and all...  

Since my IVF brain did take over during this post and I went blank around #6, this list is a collaboration with a fellow IVFer, Lani of Boobie Time Blog who is now a beautiful mama to her son B.  Check her out, she rocks!!  

Comments

[Beth]

Hemp seeds are also a really easy way to throw in some protein when the sight of anything else makes you a little queasy... they are my new favorite thing.

[Jena]

I had a similar set back during my Suppression phase. My estrogen level was too high and my body started creating a follicle when it wasnt supposed to. I had to take my trigger shot to bring on ovulation, while still doing suppression shots, and wait until after my period the next month. I cried on the phone with the nurse when she called to tell me I had to wait. I was devistated. I finally realized I was glad it happened then instead of hearing it didnt work at all. Now I am 2 days away from ending this terribly long 2 week wait! Fingers crossed for Positive!

[Lynn]

I just received my big box of inject-able hormones from the pharmacy today. I start suppressing tomorrow. I don't know anyone else who has been through IVF before; so, it is a comfort to read your blog and know that there are others in the world who share this journey. Thank you.

[Arpita of Up, Down & Natural]

Oh Lynn, I totally know how you feel!! I'm so glad you stumbled upon my blog!! That is exactly why I wanted to blog about our IVF journey. When I started I knew 1 person who had been through it and when I opened up about moving forward with it, a few others messaged to tell me they had also gone through it. It's a totally different world than even dealing with infertility... and those who haven't experienced either infertility or IVF don't have a clue. Good luck on suppressions tomorrow!! If you'd like feel free to email me any time!! Arpita dot Monahan at Gmail dot com. {I write it out so foil spam bots} ;)

Jenna - It's heartbreaking when you don't just go along with protocol, isn't it?? I'm crossing my fingers and toes for you that your BFP is just two days away!! Are you going in for your beta or POAS? I'm still torn on if I'm going to POAS or just wait for my beta... Oh, who am I kidding, I won't be able to wait! LOL. Thinking of you hun!! ;)

[mrsgreengrass]

I love this! I have actually been forgetting my morning meds (which are just baby aspirin and extra folic acid) because I have so many other things to be remembering!

Even though I was exhausted last night, I realized that I set my injection time at 10, so I couldn't go to bed early : (.

And chocolate is rarely safe in my house, but is definitely under attack at the moment.