New to IVF, any handy hints?

[jesmon]

Hello,
I am so new to IVF that the only acronyms I know are TTC & IVF:laughing:
We have our first counselling session on Saturday so I am sure we will learn more then. To be honest, the whole process terrifies me, I have read that I could become a psycho witch to live with which I really don't want to become, but then again I might not, and was wondering if there is any advice anyone has to keep as normal as poss thru it all. Hubby & I are doing this together, without our families knowledge, only 1 close friend knows we are going on IVF so would appreciate any handy hints.

[HelenHasTwins]

:wave:Jesmon....welcome, I found reading all the posts in the IVF section really gave me alot of info and don't ever be to shy to ask for help or info on bubhub...all the ladies here are wonderful...

Just remember what ever emotions you go through it is normal...you may become a bit of a psycho witch:laughing: ....I found lots of time alone with my DH helps and letting him know how I am feeling...if I am having a bad day I tell him...so he knows if I snap at him I don't mean it....

Lots of healthy foods and early nights.....and lots of water.....

My family know we are going through IVF...we could not have keep it a secret...well not for this long anyway...I find it better so they know why I am feeling down etc....they have found it just as hard as I have.....I don't know what I would do without my sister knowing but I must admit my husband is my biggest support......

All the best and I look forward to chatting with you....


Helen xxx

[HelenHasTwins]

When I joined I printed out this list as it did get a bit confusing to start with:laughing:


Here's a list of abbreviations/acronyms commonly used on parenting sites. Please feel free to add any I've missed!

AC - Assisted Conception
AF - Aunt Flo (periods)
AFAIK - as far as I know
AI - Assisted or Artificial Insemination
AID - Artificial Insemination with Donor Sperm
AIH - Artificial Insemination with husband's or partner's sperm
AP - Attachment Parenting
ART - Assisted Reproductive Technolgy
BBT - Basal Body temperature
BD - baby dancing (sex)
BFN - big fat negative (pregnancy test)
BFP - big fat positive (pregnancy test)
BTW - by the way
BW - blood week (periods)
CC - Controlled Crying
CD - cycle day
CIO - Cry it out
CM - cervical mucus
CVS - Chorionic Villus Sampling
DA - dairy allergy
DH, DW, DP, DS, DD, DF, DB, - dear husband, dear wife, dear partner, dear son, dear daughter, dear fiance, dear boyfriend
DSD, DSS - dear step daughter, dear step son
DI - Donor Insemination
DPO - days past ovulation
DXP - Dear ex partner - for those who still have a close and caring relationship with their former partner/parent of their children
EA - egg allergy
EBM - expressed breastmilk
EP - Ectopic Pregnancy
ER - Egg Retrival
ET - Embryo Transfer
EW or EWCM - Egg White or Egg White Cervical Mucus (description of cervical mucus at ovulation time)
FET - Frozen Embryo Transfer (or fertilised egg transfer)
FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FWIW - for what it's worth
FYI - for your information
*g* - grin
GIFT - Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
GD - Gestational Diabetes
GYN - gynaecolgist
HPT - home pregnancy test
HTH - hope this helps
ICSI - Intracytoplasmic Sperm Insertion
IMO - in my opinion
IMHO - in my humble opinion
IUI - Intrauterine Insemination
IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation
IYKWIM - if you know what I mean
JMHO - just my humble opinion
LI - lacotce intolerance
LOL - laughing out loud
MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL - mother, father, brother, sister-in-law
M/C - miscarriage
M/S - morning sickness
O - Ovulation
OB - Obstetrician
OHSS - Ovarian Hyper Stimualtion Syndrome
OI - Ovulation Induction
OPK - ovulation predictor test kit
OPU - Ovum (Egg) Pick Up
PA - peanut allergy
PG - pregnant
PCOS - Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
POF - Premature Ovarian Failure
POF - Premature Ovarian Failure
PMSL - pi$$ myself laughing
ROFL - rolling on floor laughing
ROFLMAO - roll on floor laughing my a$$ off
SAHM - stay at home mum
S/B - Still birth
SD - step daughter
SS - step son
SO - significant other
TIA - thanks in advance
TMI - Too much information
TTC - trying to conceive
U/S - Ultrasound
WAHM - work at home mum
2WW - 2 week wait (wait after ovulation when TTC)

TYPING IN ALL CAPITALS SIGNIFIES YELLING/SCREAMING

[jesmon]

OMG I'm gonna have a university degree by the time I remember all those :laughing:
Thanks heaps, knowing what they mean will be a big help. I'd been reading thru the forums but alot of it was all a foreign language with all the acronyms.

[HelenHasTwins]

:laughing: That's why I printed it out and kept it next to the computer....my hubby use to say why are you looking at that piece of paper all the time....I said because I don't understand what everyone was on about:o

[Desper8forbub]

Hi jesmon and welcome:wave:
I haven't got alot of "good" advice, as I've done ten IVF cycles with no BFP (YET). This time around I am trying a Flare cycle which is much shorter than the usual Down Reg cycle and I'm hoping this will be my lucky one.

I only have one friend who knows we are doing IVF, and find it really hard to keep myself relatively "normal" around everyone else.

I have personally found that my emotions have been pretty stable. My DH is a very, very calm and tolerant person and he keeps me relaxed and makes sure I get lots of rest....I find the tireder I am, the worse EVERYTHING becomes !

Everyone deals with the process differently and has different reactions to the drugs. My advise is to stay positive and be as healthy as you can be. This time around I am doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING I can to get our much wanted baby. DH and I are taking antioxidents, I have been taking folate and vitamins for two years, I will start asprin straight after transfer, I have cut out ALL caffeine :hair: and am drinking lots of water.

Depending on your job, I find that having time off from Pick Up to Transfer makes it alot easier, if you can manage that. It just gives you time to rest and relax and not have to deal with all the pressures of life on top of worrying about fertilisation etc.

My biggest bit of advice is to talk to all the wonderful ladies on this forum. I have only recently found it and already know it is going to make a big difference to my next cycle knowing everyone here is supporting me......They are truly amazing people and a WEALTH of knowledge.

Take care and good luck with your appointment on Saturday - I look forward to hearing how it goes and following your journey and hopefully celebrating a :bfp: with you very soon.

Love Sally-Ann XX

[jesmon]

As much as we love our families they would lack the understanding part of the equation as they are all baby addicts and would drive us nuts!!!
My MIL is a retired midwife so is baby and kid nuts, one SIL has 3 kids & is still clucky, the other has 2 kids and is a total expert who loves to poke her nose in, and the final SIL has just had a baby so is also baby nuts. They spent years pestering us about when we were having kids etc, drove us both insane!! And if they knew they would carry on about how sad it is we cant have kids by ourselves as they can't imagine anyone going thru their lives without kids, they don't see a couple without kids as complete. We don't want any negativity, nor do we want the constant interrogation (the family are good at that) everytime we see them as to how things are going, have we done this, seen this doctor, have I put on weight?? does that make sense?? We figure if we aren't constantly reminded it might make it a bit easier.
My friend who knows is very good, she is understanding, a great listener, and also very confidential, even torture won't make her talk!!

[shadowsmum]

Hi Jesmon and welcome to the IVF journey.

As Desper8forbub said, everyones journey is different and at times it can seem really hard. I have found my DH to be an amazing source of support and comfort. Also the wonderful ladies here on Bubhub are amazing! Supportive, helpful and great listeners.

The mood swings can be foul some times (I didn't think I had them, but Dh tells me different :laughing:LOL). Take each day as they come and try not to get too stressed (as if that is actually possible).

I am sure we will be celebrating your BFP very soon and I look forward to hearing how you are doing.

Take care and keep us posted.
Karen xxx

[jesmon]

Thanks heaps everyone, it's great to know you're all out there, will make the process alot easier.
Kerry :shakehands:

[Kachow]

Jesmon ~ just wanted to say hi ! Wow there are so many new ladies in the IVF thread now ! WELCOME !:wave:

[jesmon]

Thank you, I've got everything crossed for you that it's a BFP on April 4
Kerry

[Blueshell]

Hi Jesmon - just wanted to say hi and welcome!!

My one piece of advice would be to use this forum as much as possible especially if you are only telling one other person - the ladies here will answer any questions you have, give you a pep talk when needed and generally keep you positive!!

Good luck!!

[happy dance]

Hi Jesmon :wave:

I find this site fantasic. Reading many of the threads helps you realise everything you are going through is normal.

If you have decided not to tell too many people then I think that is great. I have not told many and it takes the pressure off as people are not asking how things are going all the time and you dont have to explain everything over and over to everyone.

Take lots of time for yourself. I like to be a bit selfish and concentrate on me during an IVF cycle.

You might have a few mood swings but I wouldnt worry about it, they are short lived.

Good luck

[serenity2008]

Hi Jesmon,:wave:

I just wanted to drop in and say welcome.

You will find lots of support on here.. the friendships I have made on here have helped me through. :)
The girls are great... never feel silly asking a question.... as someone else may have same question or may know the answer.

Yep- this really can be a roller coaster ride.. of ups and downs and topsy tury days.. and the emotions and hormones .... I found I was a bit moody at times.. but knowing I was doing the needles etc for my little bubby helped me through. The girls on here helped me through also.

I also kept a journal to help me look at how I have come . I think for me if I had done this 18mnths ago I could have done it but the injections would have been done with fear..now they were done with love. I talked to my ovaries every night telling them to drink up big as it was a top shelf drink!! :laughing:


I had my epu on monday and we got 2 eggs- anytime I feel a happy emotion.. I cry..cos happy ..but my god the tears:crying:.. they just flow ( hormones). both fertilised so we now have 2 embryo's. I am having transfer today.. going to FS about 1 or 2.. but I think 1.. would like 2 but to many risks etc.
then the 2ww.

wishing you all the best for your journey and sending you ((((hugs)))) and :goodvibes: and :babydust2:.

take care of yourself...

Serenity2008 xx

[blondekelli]

Hi Jesmon,

Good luck with your embryo transfer!! I have my OPU scheduled for tomorrow, and at the moment it looks like I only have 4 folicles, so I am hoping and praying that they are ok, and we get at least one good egg!

My ET is on Saturday, we will be 2WW at around that same time. I will be thinking of you.

Kelli

[Baldie's Mum]

my one bit of advice is.......


HOLD ON!

:laughing:

[misspeta]

Jesmon, we too have first counselling session this Saturday, so I just wanted to say a big hi, and if you want to talk at any time just PM me. I totally understand about not wanting to tell people - your family sound like it would completely consume them! I've told many people - I just feel more comfortable with that, I feel I need the emotional support. But everyone is different. Perhaps later on I'll regret telling a lot of people! I wish you lots of luck in your TTC quest (at least you know TTC!)
Miss Peta

[pippi]

Hi Jesmon!!

I'm just starting IVF too :yes:. I am waiting for AF to show so i can start on the pill-My very first cycle! Unfortunaly everyone new we have been TTC so there is no hiding that we have moved onto IVF. My advice is as follows:

-Keep a TTC diary-it helps to vent, especially if u are not telling many people
-Bubhub as often as you can-the women on here have got me through my journey so far and ive been on here a year and a half now!!

Best of luck with everything and i hope ur stay amongst the IVF thread is a short one!!

:babydust2:for you and your DH
love pip

[shadowsmum]

Hi Jesmon,

The telling people or not thing is very personal, and you may chance your mind along the way. By the sounds of your family, I totally understand why you have chosen to keep it to yourself. My DH and I told quite a few people (close friends and all family) for our three cycles last year. My theory was that if they new they could support us better. Having said that we have decided that we will keep our next cycle under wraps (easier since we have had quite a long break) because we don't want the constant questions.

If anyone is annoyed because you didn't tell them what you were going through, then they probablydon't really understand and may have made the experience more difficult for you.

Only you and your DH can know what is the best path for you to take.

[jesmon]

Thanks heaps everyone, you are all wonderful and so supportive and the advice is greatly appreciated. :)