The decision to start IVF is not one taken lightly. It can be expensive, emotional and physically taxing and as well as time consuming. I am approaching one year since our first IVF cycle. I gathered up a list of the 10 things I wish I had from the beginning. None of these things are going to make IVF a walk in the park, but I hope a few of these will help you along the path.
- A journal/book – This should be bought as soon as you schedule the first consultation. Once everything is moving towards your first IVF cycle, you will hardly have the energy to find the perfect journal, order it and have it in time to start documenting the process.. I also like to write down all my questions prior to each clinic appointment in a notebook and then write the answers directly in there while with the doctor. The news we receive is a lot, and you’ll be glad you have this to reference once you are home.
- It Starts with the Egg – This book was life changing! I remember it came in right before our four-year anniversary trip up the California coast. I brought it with, thinking maybe, if I have some down time, I’ll get around to reading it. Let me tell you, the minute that book was open, it wasn’t closed! I still remember the trip like yesterday – driving down PCH and being in completely and I mean completely stopped traffic. My sweet husband was driving, and I read him fact after fact. From “Do you know what nail polish has in it?” to “We are throwing away every Tupperware we own.” It is now mason jar central at our house!
- Fun Band-aids – and it’s worth finding the ones that bring an instant smile to your face. My sister bought us the cutest pineapple band-aids and sometimes knowing I could put that cute Band-Aid on was the only thing that got me through the hard shots.
- A medicine organizer – when that medicine gets delivered, take it one item at a time. Usually, you don’t need to start each medicine that day! Plus, being the Type A personality that I am, I was happy to grab some containers and start sorting! Once I had it put away in it’s own space, it felt much more approachable when I received my instructions.
- A small bag – In an ideal world, we would be able to do shots right in the comfort of our own homes every day, but unfortunately that doesn’t always happen. I had a small pouch that always had alcohol wipes, pineapple band-aids and extra syringes. In case something unexpected came up, I would be able to grab my medicine, throw it in the tote (All while quadruple checking I wasn’t forgetting anything) and be ready to go a lot faster!
- An ice pack for the retrieval meds – Menopur stings when injected. I found icing my stomach ahead of time, took the edge off the initial burn.
- A heating pad for the transfer meds – that Progesterone in Oil (PIO) is thick medicine and you will want to warm up oil as soon as it’s injected into your hip to try to break it down. Also – PIO was not nearly as scary as I expected! I had it so built up in my head that by the time I administered it, it went way better than expected.
- Socks – For one, who doesn’t just want warm, cozy socks? But realistically, during retrieval you’ll want socks to wear into the procedure. For transfer, everything I’ve heard from endless hours scouring the internet as well as hours at my acupuncturist – you want those feet warm!
- A date night – My partner has been beyond supportive, from embracing my hormonal self to injecting me with numerous needles when I was all too nervous to proceed. Date nights are necessary, even if you don’t have a lot of money (understandable, if your insurance didn’t cover any infertility like ours), you can still set time together to spend. My recommendation – have a date and try to get through as much of the evening without talking about IVF. IVF is all consuming, you are making big decisions, there are hormones, there are stressors. Take time to remember why you are doing all of this!
- Lastly, all things pineapple .
My Spool of Life 