“IVF survival kit” - what would you include?

Finally, I am writing a post that is a bit more uplifting than my recent ramblings ❤️

We all know how unbearable IVF is. We all know that we are the only ones who can truly understand the rollercoaster of loss, excitement, hatred, fear, shame and hope.

We all want support from family and friends, but often they don’t know what to say.

I am creating an “IVF Survival Kit” as a present for people going through this horrific journey to show that they are not alone.

What would you want included? A few thoughts I had were below:

Inspiring quotes for each day of treatment

A book of profiles of strong women who have gone through IVF

Fun sperm & egg socks

Medicine box

Relaxing candles

It Starts with the Egg book

Fertility recipes

Lucky charm or bracelet

Diary for writing emotions

IVF calendar to help with count-down and suggesting nice things to do each day

Pineapple cushion

Free membership for medication app

Let me know what you think - and any other ideas!! ❤️

[CAS2]

Nice idea. Maybe a blank notebook as you don’t realise how important writing everything down is at first. But if you have more than one round it’s so good to collect the data at each stage. And a nice pen. And maybe a very very small bottle of wine (mini one) and chocolate for when times get desperate! 😂

[Hidden in reply to CAS2]

Love that!!!! Great - definitely will include 😊 thank you x

[Italy300618]

Love this!! All great ideas. Maybe a stress ball...or a stress egg?! A little post egg collection kit, like electrolytes, or a list of films to watch on Netflix on 2WW xx

[Hidden in reply to Italy300618]

A stress egg!!! Such a good idea 😍

Love this, thank you x

[LunaLovegood11]

What a lovely idea!!! Sounds like you’ve got it all covered 😊 only thing I can think is herbal tea bags but sounds amazing, I want one hahaha xx

[Solly-44 in reply to LunaLovegood11]

Totally jumping on Luna’s bandwagon here because herbal teas have got me through the last year (never thought I’d be saying that when I was younger 😎) but maybe a nice decaf coffee too? Took me ages to find one that didn’t taste horrible! Xx

[LunaLovegood11 in reply to Solly-44]

Ooh which coffee have you found? Xx

[Solly-44 in reply to LunaLovegood11]

The Taylors one. Still not as good as the real thing but better than most xx

[KDA0510]

What a fab idea and what a lovely friend you are <3 I think you have it covered pretty well! Maybe you can add herbal teas, you can buy an adult rude-infertility colouring book from Amazon with some colouring pencils, Kitsch Hen does personalised IVF biscuits that I have bought for others/been gifted and they are such a lovely treat (if you google Kitsch Hen, her biscuit website will come up). Hope that helps and good luck to your friends xx

[Hidden in reply to KDA0510]

Oh wow! I didn't know that existed, thanks so much. What a great idea! Thank you xxx

[Bunnywoo]

Awww this is so lovely! I agree with all suggestions. Perhaps a little packet of cute tissues for those emotional moments too. xx

[Hidden in reply to Bunnywoo]

Ha ha! Good suggestion ❤️

[emmab178]

We had a uplifting music list going.

Hot stuff - Donna summer for the menopur night sweats

... cant remember the rest!

[Hidden in reply to emmab178]

Love it!!!! Thank you xx

[emmab178 in reply to Hidden]

It was a thread on here we all added to

[Nodds]

I think a badge that says 'I don't want to talk about babies' to wear when you go out with friends who have a habit of talking about pregnancy/ babies/ children

[Hidden in reply to Nodds]

Ha! That is a great idea! I want one right now...! xxx

[Tugsgirl]

I got a fertility pin on Amazon of two pineapples which I wear all the time. I believe it to be a symbol for solidarity when I wear it (all the time on my coat) a badge of honour because we are warriors. If you can find one I think it would be good to include. Etsy also do wish bracelets xx

[Hidden in reply to Tugsgirl]

I love this!! Especially as a sign of solitary. The more people open up about fertility, the more people I realise have been impacted.

Such a good idea, thanks xx

[Core]

These are fantastic ideas and I love this whole thought!! Maybe some nice herbal teas?xx

[Hidden in reply to Core]

Definitely!! Thank you xxx

[amandac84]

That’s such a lovely idea xxx

[SparkleCock]

Wonderful! My friend got me a build your own dream Catcher to keep my nervous hands busy and a great book and chocolates xx

[Hidden in reply to SparkleCock]

Lovely idea...thank you xxxxxx

[Itsalongjourney26]

My lovely lovely sister in law did me a wee survival box. Fluffy pyjamas, two cold face presses that go to the fridge to help with headaches, fluffy sock, slippers and decaf coffee. I start on Thursday and I love that I have a go to bag for a pick me up!

[Hidden in reply to Itsalongjourney26]

That is so, so lovely ❤️

Great ideas, thank you xx

[EdwardsSarah996]

Such a lovely idea Anna! This will be a great help. Are all these virtual that can just be sent online? Or like a real physical bag and stuff?

[Hidden in reply to EdwardsSarah996]

All can be bought online and delivered anywhere...that's the idea. For friends, family and colleagues to show their support xxxx

[EdwardsSarah996 in reply to Hidden]

Good one! Try this too thebolashop.com/ it's a nice one - I got to know about it when I was in Cyprus.

[Hope4040]

Moonstone bracelet xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hope4040]

Love it! Thanks x

[Hope4040]

Definitely socks. I run a branding company and sell promotional merchandise. One of our core products is socks. We can do any style - crew socks, slipper socks etc. If you thought of a design we could get them made for you. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hope4040]

That would be great! Let me have a think 😊

[Hope4040]

Another idea could be a metal or glass water bottle? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hope4040]

Great idea!! Thank you!!