What is IVF really like please?

[PadTig]

Thinking of starting IVF, I’m being warned it’s quite physically and emotionally draining and pretty uncomfortable!

Can any of you ladies help? I just wanted to read what you have been through, how you feel about it all please.

Thank you 😚

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

🙂 You can read previous discussions about IVF, type ‘Fertility Network UK’ in the searchbox (above right)

[Jaxstr]

I think you need to be in a positive frame of mind. That probably depends on why you're there in the first place. If you know why you can't concieve naturally and you know that ivf will circumvent that then that makes it easier. My twins are now 22 years old and I loved every moment of the journey.

[PadTig in reply to Jaxstr]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I’m 42 and have had 2 miscarriages, plus 2years of high stress. My husband and I have been told by a consult that if we get pregnant again we could have another miscarriage, so it would be wiser to try IVF, even though we still only have a 9% chance of success. I believe I am mentally and physically strong enough, I needed to hear some positive things about it xx

[Jaxstr in reply to PadTig]

Good luck! I used a lot of self-hypnosis which helped me enormously.

[bantam12]

I have 3 IVF children, all grown up now. I've lost count of the number of cycles I went through but it was dozens and cost many £1000s but worth it. You do have to be mentally strong because it's tough when failure is more common than success, plus all the fertility drugs can be unpleasant to take.

My sister also has 3 IVF children and she found it more difficult to deal with.

[PadTig in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for replying! I had heard it’s emotionally draining especially with the anxiety of seeing if it has worked. I have prepared myself as much as I can for it not being successful but I know it will still be painful if we can’t have a baby x

[JR456]

I had 5 rounds of IVF and my son is now 15. It is emotionally draining as there is always a bigger chance of failure so a positive attitude is a must. Try to focus on the end goal. Good luck!

[PadTig in reply to JR456]

Thank you! Trying to keep positive 😊 xx