IVF, what to expect?

[Molae06]

So we are finally taking the plunge, we found a clinic in our area that is providing IVF at a significantly discounted rate in honor of their 25 yr anniversary. It's only for a limited time so we are just going to go for it. I called and set up an initial appointment for whatever tests they are going to do and dh SA. I am so new to IVF I don't know what to expect really, wondering if anyone can shed some light?

What are they going to test/look for during our initial appointment?

What happens next, as in, how much time passes by from that time to when we do the IVF? Do I have to wait for a new cycle to start (because for me, I am so irregular that sometimes that means 3 to 4 months unless I am given Provera, which sometimes doesn't even work).

As for the actual retrieval/transfer, is the anesthesia the kind that actually puts you to sleep or is it the kind that just makes you really loopy? I have been put out once before when I had my surgery and I started getting panic attacks the entire month just thinking about it.

Anyway, just curious if anyone knows the typical amount of time from the first initial appt to when they IVF cycle actually begins, and about the anesthesia.

Anything is helpful! Thanks ladies!

 

[popchick75]

Congrats on taking the plunge

The first appointment they generally go over what you have done so far....bring in copies of your medical records to make it easier! They will go over whatever issue it is that has been preventing you from getting pregnant (blocked tubes, bad sperm, ovulation issues, etc). They will want to do some initial tests and get a baseline ultrasound to try to figure out how high of a dose of injections they will put you on. Most places also require you to do a injection class to teach you how to do the shots. You will have some time to get everything lined up before your cycle starts....usually about 2 months.

Depending on how the clinic works, they will probably do your IVF in 'batches'. What that means is you will be in a group of other women who will also be having IVF done at the same time. You will all go on birth control pills for a certain amount of time...usually a month or two to line all of your cycles up. This way you will all be stimming at the same time, egg retrieval at the same time, etc.

Most clinics let you chose the amount of anesthesia for the retrieval. Some women want to be somewhat awake to watch on the monitor, others want to be totally knocked out. I was knocked out for mine

 

[Molae06]

Thanks so much for your reply. I am hoping for September IVF, hopefully that won't be too soon. I have the entire month off during September and the clinics in my area are 4.5 almost 5 hours away. The one I am choosing does not work with other clinics for ultrasound monitoring etc so I am going to be having to make several trips, and so hopefully it will be during September. I also have to go over a mountain pass so I want to do it before the roads start getting bad, I would hate the end up in a car accident trying to get to and from my drs apts. Anyway, thanks again for the advice!