IVF Advice for a friend (XP on 3T)

[RajahMD]

Hey guys. I have a friend who is on her first cycle of IVF. She's having some issues, so I thought I'd see if the awesome ladies here have some advice I could share with her. I am also posting this on 3T.

Her story:

SPOILER: Click to show

Early 30s. TTC for almost 2 years now with no pregnancies. Never been pregnant previously. Started seeing RE after 1 year TTC. Tried TI and IUI with no success. Developed serious side effects when they tried Clomid.

Currently Day 7 of first IVF cycle. Started with Gonal-F 375 (I think) once a day. On Day 4, her estradiol was 38. Gonal-F was upped to 450 (225 twice a day), which is the maximum dose that her RE will give of that med. Day 6 estradiol was 62. She only had 5 eggs at her day 6 ultrasound. Also, she's having a lot of pain and bruising from the shots.

So, two questions:

1) Any advice in general I can share with her, especially ahead of her next lab draw and ultrasound on Saturday?

2) Any tips on how to avoid bruising or help with the pain from the injections?

Thanks in advance guys!

[housecarder]

I'd let her know that the first round is often a way to tweak what is going on. There is a lot of trial and error with IVF. And everyone wants lots of follicles, but all it takes is one good embryo, and often trying to get a large response can be counter productive and lower quality. So try to take all of this with a grain of salt.

As far as pain and bruising sometimes icing the area ahead of time can help with the pain. Unfortunately I didn't find any relief from the bruising.

Good luck to your friend! I hope this cycle works for her!

[PepperPottsJ]

I believe a grad got this (https://buzzyhelps.com) from a friend to help with the injections. Wishing your friend all the best!

[youdontsay]

*siggy warning*

*lurking*

Like PP said the first IVF cycle is trial and error and it is quality over quantity. FX she gets a good embryo!

In regards to the bruising, lots of ice before injections and don't pinch the skin too hard. Oh and don't jab the injection in so aggressively as they do in the tutorial videos. My first IVF cycle my stomach looked horrible, the nurse was like "it's a small needle going in, you can be gentle!" I guess the videos that they show how to do the injections are really trying to prove a point.


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[RajahMD]

Thank you guys so much! I am definitely showing this too her later. That Buzzy thing looks like it could be a life saver!