https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:38:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925241 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:38:43 +0000 winter_wonder 2925241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hormones didn't seem to impact me at all. I also didn't find the injections to be bad at all. For me, I thought the worst part was the 8 week progesterone injections that I had to do after the transfer. For whatever reason they seemed to be really irritating to my skin. It was definitely worth it though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925099 Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:10:18 +0000 agold 2925099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: If you do IVF, you could also consider the genetic testing. I didn't do genetic testing for a million reasons, but that is something to look into. Best of luck to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925098 Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:42:16 +0000 karenbme 2925098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies, this is really helpful. I’m glad to hear that it isn’t as bad as it’s been made out to be. I agree that the emotional side will probably be a challenge, but I’ve (unfortunately) gotten used to losing embryos at this point. And I’m hopeful that our history of making lots of embryos that are strong enough to implant/survive in my tubes means that maybe we’ll be successful if we go down this path. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925095 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 19:52:22 +0000 erinbaderin 2925095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your reaction to the hormones kind of depends on what dose you’re on, and how your body handles hormones. I was on a really high dose because I didn’t respond much. The pre-filled needles were fine - I really hated needles but these were so thin they were pretty easy. I put an ice pack on for a minute before and didn’t even feel it. I was also lucky to not really have any side effects. I found it stressful though worrying that I was going to screw up - I was very aware that I was injecting, like, $100 worth of medication into myself every time and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was going to screw up and blow the cycle. My second round was also a bit of a scheduling nightmare - my doctor was an hour west of my house, my job was half an hour east, so every day I got up at 4, drove to the doctor to get there for 6, did bloodwork and ultrasound, and then drove 90 minutes the other direction to get to work. </p> <p>Generally I found the process much more emotionally taxing than physically - harvesting the eggs was fine but waiting for that call every day to say how they were doing was terrible! My first cycle they put in two eggs and it didn’t work. My second, we only got one egg, and that egg is now 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925094 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 19:50:02 +0000 PurplePumps 2925094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe I became numb to the process at some point having done 8 retrievals, but hormonally, the meds didn't effect me at all (the only thing that did effect me was 3 month lupron depot where I had a few hot flashes), and physically I found it to be a breeze (other than my one close call with mild OHSS). I'd leave my RE's office right after and walk 3 miles back to my grandparents apartment in NYC. The worse part of it all for me was the emotional aspect of infertility of course and all the waiting and uncertainty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925091 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:50:16 +0000 Fawn 2925091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you're going through this. I think IVF is overwhelming and time consuming, but definitely doable. We ended up at IVF since we struggled to conceive again after we lost our first pregnancy at 19 weeks due to a termination for medical reasons. We did 3 IUIs that were all unsuccessful and did 1 IVF cycle that resulted in 10 embryos. The first transfer was a chemical pregnancy, the 2nd gave us our daughter, and we just did a 3rd transfer last week, but I found out today it's a chemical pregnancy as my HCG is super low. :crying: </p> <p>IVF is expensive if your insurance doesn't cover it, which is stressful as well. The cost weighed on me a lot throughout our cycle, but at that point I was willing to do anything to have a baby.</p> <p>The shots and appts weren't too bad overall, but with a full IVF cycle with an egg retrieval you will be at the RE for monitoring super frequently - both bloodwork and ultrasound. The hormones for the egg retrieval didn't give me any real side effects. It all went pretty smoothly and I didn't have any bad reactions.</p> <p>Overall I am super happy we did IVF as it gave us our daughter and I'm hopeful the same batch of embryos that gave us her will also give us her sibling.</p> <p>Best of luck :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925090 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:13:50 +0000 foodiebee 2925090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure what counts as being dramatic, but my feeling is that everyone will process what is an emotional, stressful situation in their own way. We paid out of pocket, so there was a lot of financial stress. We were not able to be open about the path we were taking with those around us, because there were those who we knew believed those who did IVF were committing murder and would go to hell (talk about dramatic). The secrecy added another layer for us. We graduated to IVF after five IUIs (three canceled for various reasons, two failed), so at that point, we'd been in treatment for about a year. '</p> <p>The process itself was straightforward, especially if you're comfortable with needles. My DH did the shots himself and was a champ. I did not have bad bruising or the lumps that others have. What I DID have that was a bit different was a major hormonal swing with the progesterone shots. It wouldn't be until months later that we would realize that I was experiencing daily prenatal anxiety attacks. The moment I stopped the PIO shots, they vanished overnight. I so, so, so wish my provider would have asked me the right questions and for us to have learned about it at the time. Instead I suffered for a while thinking that this must be normal preggo fears. I'd never been pregnant to know the difference. </p> <p>The peace of mind is something we thought too and what led us to IVF. We wanted to know that we'd done what we could. Happy to answer any other questions you might have as you contemplate this. :heart:</p> <p>ETA The hardest part for us was waiting to see which embryos made it to day 5. That was the absolute worst part for us. We only had 5, and only 1 made it, so every day the number went down down down. That was harder than the physical toll for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925088 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:40:15 +0000 agold 2925088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry you are going through all of this and now thinking about IVF. I do think that a lot of people are extremely dramatic when they talk about their IVF journey. It truly is a huge event, but not really anything that needs to be dramatized. I did IVF in 2015. I was only going to do it once because of the cost. For me, the gamble of spending so much, and not having a guaranteed baby at the end was the biggest stress. I hated needles (as in, I still brought my mom if I needed to give blood well into my 20s), but I got through daily IVF needles fine because my husband was awesome about it. Usually IVF doctors are open so early in the morning, so doing IVF doesn't have to interfere with your work, if you work. I took a couple days off after the egg draw because of hyper stimulation. I already had the mindset going in that I may not ever have a baby, and I had a contingency plan in place for if I didn't end up pregnant that I was really looking forward to. I had no problems with the hormones at the time. I did end up with a quarter sized ball in my hip for about a year and a half from the progesterone in oil that just hardened and stayed in place for some unknown long amount of time. All in all, I was really happy I did IVF. Even if I didn't get pregnant, I had the peace of mind that I tried all I was willing to do. There was no need to be dramatic about it. Let me know if you have any specific questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-ivf#post-2925084 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:08:51 +0000 karenbme 2925084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I know a lot of people who are still here know at least a little bit of my story, but my reproductive journey has been complicated—a miscarriage, then 2 consecutive ectopic pregnancies, then a healthy baby girl, and now another probable ectopic pregnancy. At this point our risk of another ectopic is approximately a coin flip and I’m considering IVF as a way to mitigate risk (although I know, for me, it would still be about 1 in 10). But I don’t know a lot other than the basics and a few, likely exaggerated stories, from a cousin. DH and I are very fertile and I’m not squeamish about needles, but I’m wondering what the hormones are like and how physically taxing or painful the whole process is. Anyone care to share? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/inktober-cool-art#post-2898428 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 11:20:50 +0000 Mama Bird 2898428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's so cool! I might try it if LO starts sleeping - if not, will save the idea for next year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/inktober-cool-art#post-2898415 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 09:11:28 +0000 graceandjoy 2898415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ohh I saw someone did that on IG and was confused! Now I'm checking out the hashtag on IG and it's pretty cool to see! I am totally not artistic so I will just be browsing... :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/inktober-cool-art#post-2898401 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 05:02:54 +0000 cyoung 2898401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For all you people who enjoy and or make art. I just wanted to share this cool art thing. Every October artist on the internet get together and follow different prompt lists and have to draw art in some form of ink. It’s under the hashtag #inktober Or #inktober2019 You can look for it on twitter and Instagram. I’ve seen some really cool stuff. This is my 3rd year participating in it! I plan on and hope I can make it to the end of the month. So far I’ve done one for each day but it’s only day 3 so we will see how it goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873781 Mon, 25 Feb 2019 12:29:44 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2873781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I'm sort of in the same boat as you....so happy to lend support and love and answer questions. I'm done having kids but have been through a LOT to get to this place so I have all the sympathy in the world for all of you going through infertility and will be your #1 cheerleader!</p> <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC?<br /> 3 years before conceiving DD1</p> <p>• What interventions have you done/are doing?<br /> We went straight to IVF, though we tried "natural IVF" twice, i.e., no stimulating drugs, just monitor the cycle, then retrieve the mature egg and peform ICSI with DH's sperm sample. I got pregnant but had a blighted ovum, and no heartbeat was found at the 6 week check up. I had a D&amp;C, the moved on to traditional, stimulated IVF and was able to do one retrieval that produced both of my amazing girls! We still have 4 PGS-normal embryos on ice and are desperately trying to find a non-religious organization to help us facilitate adoption.</p> <p>• Reason for intervention?<br /> DH has low motility and morphology, and count. He is on immunosupressant drugs due to a kidney transplant and we think one of the drugs caused this.</p> <p>• Any successes? Yes</p> <p>• Current # of Children - 2: DD1 is 4 and DD2 is 20 months</p> <p>• The most difficult part of the process?<br /> SO much damn time for everything to happen when I was more than ready! Feeling like it was all my responsibility for the appointments, nonstop prodding of my lady parts, emotional exhaustion/pressure, constant scrutiny when the IF diagnosis was on the male side (rarely talked about and it made me resentful that everyone assumes IF is always the "fault" of the woman--when it's nobody's fault at all) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873606 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:24:18 +0000 Kaohinani 2873606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, an update from me. As most of you who keep up with the POAS board already know, I overstimmed with my Follistim this cycle and was told due to having 4 large follies and a ga-zillion smaller ones, that our TI cycle needed to be cancelled and I should not trigger. WELL, DH and I had an "OOOPS" around OV (* broken polyurethane prophylactic without spermicide... I am latex allergic and spermicide causes an itchy rash in a very private zone. 😳😳😳) so, I found myself in the TWW anyway! I am 13 dpo of a normal 16 day luteal. I am so afraid to test because a BFN during a phase with so many ova would crush me. If I end up not pregnant (pending if I have any cysts), my next cycle will begin with only 50-IU of Follistim and I will be given an U/S every other day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873602 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 09:40:23 +0000 foodiebee 2873602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Ha, my pharmacist asked me the very same thing. "I have to ask if you're pregnant to give you this." Me: "Uh no. I'm taking it TO get pregnant." Pharmacist: "Oh." I felt so weird. I agree, I kinda wish you'd said your other idea! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873593 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 06:31:44 +0000 Kaohinani 2873593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I am so happy to read that you have a solid plan (medically) for this cycle ... That is great news! 😁 While it is understood that pharmacists must [legally] ask for any contraindications for prescribed medication, I'm sure the pharmacist could have asked in a more tactful manner. That must have been so unbelievably frustrating! 😖😠😤 With that stated, I appreciate your sense of humor! I wish you had replied with the former ... I would have loved to read about the pharmacist's reaction from your sarcasm! 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873579 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 21:35:25 +0000 Chuckles 2873579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm starting our second medicated cycle and the RE wants me to start on estradiol before the trigger and continue for 14 days. And that's in addition to starting progesterone at 3dpo. So I just went to pick up the estradiol from Walgreens and the pharmacist was like, I just have to ask if you're pregnant. Which just made me feel crappy - i said, nope, definitely not pregnant. That's why I'm getting this stuff. But I did think about saying, yes but I thought shoving more stuff up my vagina for no reason sounded like a good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869866 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:55:57 +0000 Kaohinani 2869866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Spinny: Thank you soooooooo much for sharing! It is so difficult to make a concrete decision as whether or not to continue at any given point, but I am certain it is even more difficult after losses. :heart: DH and I had a plan that we would stop TTC in May as we want a #3 so badly but we are content with the 2 beautiful children we have; that was until I visited my new RE and figured out the problem wasn't unexplained 2ndary infertility, rather, immature ova. The RE has helped with a plan for further TTC which extends our "trying" to April 2020! He, of course, is supportive of our decisions and IF we choose to stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869864 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:47:26 +0000 Sams Mom 2869864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Spinny: I feel you on the moving forward as a family of 3. Like I know we won't only ever be a family of 3, because we want to pursue adoption of some sort (embryo or from the state, since they can be a little more certain than standard adoption)... But I can't seem to find that peace, even though I do feel like some parts are definitely on standstill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869862 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:44:35 +0000 Spinny 2869862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC? A little over 2 years<br /> • What interventions have you done/are doing? 3x clomid cycles, I have done 1 IUI cycle (femara, ovidrel) that was unsuccessful, I will start another IUI cycle next month.<br /> • Reason for intervention? Unexplained secondary infertility<br /> • Any successes? I've gotten pregnant twice in the last 2+ years but lost both around 10 weeks due to different chromosomal abnormalities.<br /> • Current # of Children - 1 - my son is 3.5<br /> • The most difficult part of the process? I had a breakdown during my first IUI cycle, no surprise it wasn't successful. I didn't anticipate the early morning monitoring appointments (clinic is an hour away) to be so stressful. I also am struggling with "letting go" and moving forward as a family of 3. I feel like life has been on hold for the last couple of years and I'm torn between wanting a second child and moving forward, it's not easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869826 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:20:46 +0000 Kaohinani 2869826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: Thank you, bhbee! I appreciate your comments and offer for support on this board! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869824 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:14:17 +0000 bhbee 2869824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All the :heart: to all the ladies trying. I always found my best support here on HB! There used to be an IF checkin thread that checked in weekly (maybe a long time ago) and I’m glad to see people connecting again!! </p> <p>We did clomid, triggers, IUIs, all the basic testing, recurrent loss testing, karyotyping, hysteroscopy, metformin, progesterone ... I am sure stuff I am forgetting. I felt relatively lucky and still it was some of the loneliest times of my life. I have many memories of hard days burned into my brain. </p> <p>If there’s anything I can ever do to support someone or talk about our experience let me know :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869819 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:21:19 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: so frustrating and makes the whole thing even more isolating. Now its another person I can't even try to share this journey with. Thank goodness for HB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869794 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:06:05 +0000 Kaohinani 2869794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: Frustrating, isn't it?!?! I am always dumbfounded, myself. I am not a confrontational person so I now just thank them for their concern or advice (and all but swear at them in my head 😂). I know MOST people mean well and all but my sentiment to those with intrusive advice is: "It is not your body or life to monitor, so please keep all comments to yourself as I would never say such to or judge you." 🤷‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869792 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:58:51 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: I never knew how to respond to people who suggested I just let nature take its course or whatever and I really hated people who offered advice like just relax and have sex with your husband it will happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869780 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:35:25 +0000 Kaohinani 2869780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: Thank you so very much for sharing and congratulations on your LO! :heart: I agree that not having a strong or understanding support system is frustrating... Right now no one outside of the HB community knows I am on injectables with TI as I am finding my family and friends can't understand why we don't "Give up," or "Leave it to God," or "Try to be content with our 2." I appreciate that you touched upon it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869778 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:28:26 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Joining you all in support and a resource if I can be<br /> It took a year for E and that was b/c I knew at 17 that I would likely need fertility treatments and I very luckily had doctors who listened to me and were proactive and I responded well to treatment.<br /> I did all of the assorted infertility testing which confirmed PCOS and hypothyroidism. I did clomid once but it was starting to decrease my lining even after that so no more clomid for me. I did a femera cycle (5mg) and had 4 follicles which made both my doctor and I very nervous and she almost canceled the cycle. Then I had cysts and had to take a cycle off from meds so we tried naturally which did not result in a pregnancy but at least I ovulated in a reasonable time. I have had many annovulatory cycles in my life the longest being 90 days. My RE lowered my femera dose to 2.5mg and I had 1 really great looking follicle. My husband and I decided to convert that cycle to and IUI instead of just TI. It was successful and we now have 15 month old E. All of my cycles successful and not included a trigger shot, progesterone suppository support after O, metformin for the PCOS, synthroid for the hypothyroidism, and a handful supplements including vitamin D and CoQ10.<br /> The hardest part for me was not having many people in real life who understood what infertility was like and how uncertain and frustrating it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869777 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:48:13 +0000 Kaohinani 2869777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: Thank you, PurplePumps! You have had quite a journey... I am so glad you were successful. It gives me (and others) so much hope. Thank you, again. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869776 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:41:23 +0000 PurplePumps 2869776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC?<br /> 5yrs, 3 months until my sticky baby</p> <p>• What interventions have you done/are doing?<br /> Clomidx3, Femerax1, IUIx3, IVFx8, ovarian drilling, 3 month lupron depot. (Full details on my blog linked from my profile)</p> <p>• Reason for intervention?<br /> Mild PCOS/unexplained, crappy egg quality</p> <p>• Any successes? Yes</p> <p>• Current # of Children - 1</p> <p>• The most difficult part of the process? Not knowing if it was ever going to work and how long it all took. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869775 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:33:10 +0000 Kaohinani 2869775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Simply *hugs* :heart: . We have spent so long together on the POAS boards that I am so hopeful we will both get our BFPs soon! </p>