Started IVF and full of anxiety! Help!

Kristenj - All the questions and anxiety is totally normal.  I remember just having so many unknowns as I started IVF and through the process.  But tried to always remember why I was doing it and feeling so excited of the possibility of having a child.  My biggest fear after my jpouch surgery was that I wouldn't be able to have a child.  I'm happy to report I had my son three years ago and now I'm pregnant with twins!!

I also had scar tissue, it caused fluid in my fallopean tubes.  The plan I set up with my doctor for the first time around in 2011 was that we would try one round and if it didn't work they would take out the fallopean tubes (because the fluid could get in and not allow the embryos to implant).  We got lucky on our first try and had my son.  I did have some complication after the c-section.  My bowels took some time to wake up from anestesia, and the nurses were getting me to eat so it caused an ileus.  I stayed in the hosptial a week and it resolved on its own with an NG Tube.  My doctors plan for next time is to not push me on the eating and keep me on an IV longer to give it time.  I'm hopeful that will work.

This second time it took four rounds of IVF to get pregnant.  The doctor ended up taking out my fallopean tubes to increase my chances.

Regarding the stimulation, the egg retrieval and transfer.  My doctors and nurses monitored everything really carefully, there was a time I had to go in every other day to check to make sure all looked good and to make sure they had the right timing for the retrieval.  The retrieval was easy because they knocked me out!  Then just having to take it easy for a few days later.  The transfer was also pretty simple in that they just put them in - usually takes 10 minutes.  I do recomend taking it easy the next couple days.  I was told to return to normal activity but each time I didn't get pregnant I kept thinking it was because I did too much following the transfer.  I'm sure it was in my head but it is easier not to have doubts about something you did.

Through it all I just had to take it one day at a time.  The shots become a pain in the butt (literally)  But I had to keep my eye on the prize.  The important part is making sure you find a good IVF team to work with.  I've known people that have switched after a round or two because they felt their team wasn't being agressive enough and they weren't getting preganant.

Best of Luck and feel free to reach out with any questions!

Jennnifer

I had a j-pouch and went to a perm ileo - total of 4 surgeries.  I did IVF three times - a fresh, a frozen and a fresh.  I got pregnant all three times, but miscarried the frozen cycle early on.

I did have an obstruction with the first pregnancy that was no fun, but did not need surgery.

Both pregnancies full term and c-section delivery.  "Babies" are now 9 and 6 1/2 :-) 

Kirsten, I just posted a topic before I saw yours. I have the exact same anxieties. I have had 8 surgeries and to top it of I will be getting this child on my very own with a donor. I have given it a million thoughts and have consulted both gastro-experts and gynecologists to make sure, that I am not doing something stupid here. All have cleared me and says, that IF I e.g. get constipation while pregnant, they can resolve it, though without drugs, which I am used to taking in those cases. So I am preparing myself for pain and discomfort, and hoping that the sweet fertility-nurse whom I saw yesterday was right when she told me: 'Listen honey, you have been through so much. This will be like water compared to all of that'. 

When do you begin taking hormones - and for how long (they told me, there is a short, and a long treatment)?

Best of luck

Rikke

Hi Rikke,

second attempt was unsuccessful.  I had an HSG that showed both tubes blocked with basically both fluid -filled.  They want to do tubal ligation with Essure (a device to block the tubes) before next IVF attempt.  I am going to see a specialist before I decide what to do.  I am scared about the procedure, future risks and going through all that and still not having a successful outcome. 

How are you feeling now?  I hope you are enjoying your pregnancy with zero pouch issues.

I just turned 34.