Feelings as I embark on IVF

[Ubadubs]

Hi Everyone.

My big box of IVF drugs arrived earlier in the week and today I start a course of Norethisterone ahead of a June IVF cycle - my first.

We first went to our GP for a fertility referral in Septmeber last year and since I anticipated I would be feeling quite excited at this point that the waiting is almost over. Howeverinstead I am a bit of an anxious mess and the whole process feels pretty daunting and terrifying. Especially as the outcome is by no means determined.

How will my body react the drugs? Will I be able to handel the hormonal regime?

How will I cope if it is unsuccessful?

How will I feel if by chance it is successful?

It's quite overwhelming - I was just wondering how others felt during this initial phase as it's about to begin?

Take care,

Anya

[Babysteps22]

Hi, I 100% felt this way when my box of drugs arrived! It suddenly becomes real and I felt looking ahead at the whole process overwhelming. However, what I would say is just break down each stage into sections and focus on the bit you're going through at that time. So I had a "norethisterone" section, then a "stims and scans" section, then "egg collection" and now I'm preparing for "frozen embryo transfer" and that has really helped me not get too ahead of myself with the what ifs. Don't know if that would help you, but I totally get how you're feeling. You got this 💪 best of luck 💕

[Ubadubs in reply to Babysteps22]

Thank you for your supportive words. That is actually very useful advice. I've a tendency to overthink and be hundred steps ahead in any given situation. So a reminder to breath and take each bit as it comes is helpful.

And biggest good luck to you with your embryo transfer. sx

[Zumba22]

Hi Ubadubs, you’re right, it’s very overwhelming and totally understandable that you’re feeling anxious and overthink it - I’m the same and I’m not even at that stage yet!

I too am trying to take each step as it comes (I know that’s easier said than done sometimes.) partner gets frustrated if I am negative about it 🙈

I wish you all the best and hope it’s a successful journey for you xx

[Hidden]

Excited and terrified in equal measure is 100% normal before you start! You will find once you get going with the scans etc then its sort of taken out of your control and the clinic are telling you what to do when and it gets a bit easier, then they sort of drop you for the 2 week wait and that can be quite a lonely phase. My tip would be think of each thing like a hurdle race, just get through each phase or day as you can. You will have massive highs and massive lows but one low doesn't mean the next phase won't be a massive high. I had one round where my first scan was a disaster and they said they might cancel the round, so I was at rock bottom, only to find 3 days later I had loads of follicles and we were continuing - so you just have to keep on keeping on! Oh and lean on this forum as there are some incredible women on here! Heaps of luck xx

[Rain415]

Hi,

I could have written this back in October 2020! It's overwhelming as so much to remember and so many parts. Advice I would have given myself is 1 step at a time. Try to only think about the step that you are on and take it 1 bit at a time else mind goes everywhere. Good luck I hope it all goes well. X

[HedgehogMad]

I have just started norethisterone in preparation for our first round in May and am feeling exactly the same! Such a mix of emotions from excitement to anxiety and sadness that we even have to go through this. I think it's as the others said, to go through each step at a time, and to control the things we can while accepting most of it is beyond our control. I'm trying to view it as a 3 cycle process, rather than pinning all hopes on this one, but it's so hard... Planning other things to focus on too - stopping some extra curricular activities due to risk of covid but planning to devote extra time to the garden which will hopefully be a distraction, stress reliever and keep us planning for the future. We've got this 💪

[Ubadubs in reply to HedgehogMad]

Hi Hedgehogmad-

I thinkpart of the anxiety comes from that fact that my partner and I are receiving NHS treatment and my health authority only funds one cycle. So there is a lot of pressure, expectation, hopes etc.. pinned on it.

And of course whilst it is exiting as you said there is the still the inevitable slight sadness at the fact that we are even having to embark on this journey. But at the same time I do feel fortunate that fetility treatment options even exist.

So many feelings though! Hard to unpack them all at once.

Good Luck with you May cycle. Fingers crossed for you!

[HedgehogMad in reply to Ubadubs]

Yes it's such a rollercoaster of emotions, I totally get it 🙁 our health board only funds 1 cycle too, it's so rubbish that what you can receive depends on where you live!Have you downloaded the mindful IVF app? I've started using it and finding it really helpful ☺

Wishing you all the luck for your cycle, fingers crossed for you xxx