IVF EGG COLLECTION UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHETIC

Yesterday I wrote about how many eggs we had collected (you can read that post here) and today I thought I would write a bit about my experience of having the egg collection itself. So we got to the hospital at 8am and were greeted by all the lovely NHS staff members and then shown to my bed. 

I was asked to put on a hospital gown and my slippers and dressing gown that I had packed myself. I got out all my magazines as we didn't know what time our egg collection would be. Soon after that we were informed that we had been moved to second on the list. I think that was because I get sick when having general anaesthesia. 

Doctors always make sure that they give me anti-sickness medication which does the trick. However, they don't know if it will work so I expect they thought they would get me in sooner rather than later. That way if I am sick I've got more time in the day to recover and hopefully go home.

Throughout our time in hospital we were continuously asked the same questions over and over again. This is so that no mistakes are made (e.g. a mix up of eggs or sperm - can you imagine?!!!). I joked with my fiance and said 'imagine if we have a baby and it has the man opposites face'. But it's no laughing matter really because apparently these things do happen! Anyway, I digress!....

About 9am my fiance was called to give his sperm sample. Then not long after he got back (probably about 9.30) it was time for me to have my eggs collected. The whole procedure was straight forward and couldn't have gone better. They gave me the anaesthetic and the next thing I knew I had woken up and was wheeled back to my space on the ward. 

I was really glad to see my fiance and that it was finally all over. Like I said, it couldn't have gone any better but I was a little nervous before I went in. Following the procedure a nurse came to see me and asked if I was in any pain. I was in a little bit of pain and she told me I could have some morphine if I wanted. We agreed to wait 15 mins to see how I felt. 

The one thing I noticed was that my arms and legs were shaking pretty badly and I was sweating a little so didn't feel the best. It turns out this was just hypoglycemia as once I was given a couple of slices of toast I felt pretty good. That's typical of me as hypoglycemia is something I suffer with every day.

It's now been about 36 hours since egg collection and I'm pleased to say that I haven't taken any pain killers at all. Not even paracetamol! The pain just hasn't been bad enough. I can barely feel it at all. I've had a little bit of blood spotting but other than that I'm feeling pretty good! Better than I have over the past month I would say.

Jess. xx

THE TRIGGER INJECTION FOR OVULATION | SIDE EFFECTS

As I said in a previous post I had to have an ovulation injection (Ovitrelle) on Sunday 11th July specifically at 9.30pm. This was 36-38 hours before my planned egg collection to ensure that ovulation was triggered at the correct time. 

As far as side effects go I didn't really have any other than slightly sore nipples. This is a side effect that hasn't gone but isn't bothering me in the slightest. 

In terms of having the drug itself, my finance administered it via an injection in my stomach which didn't hurt at all. However, I was left with a tiny bruise which is to be expected when you have so many injections in the same place. We stuck to the stomach throughout IVF as that's where I have the most fat (compared to my thighs which was the other suggested area to inject).

Have you had Ovitrelle before? If so, did you get any side effects?

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 34 | EGG COLLECTION

Some of you might remember that when we had our final progress assessment we only had 5 follicles that were a good size, 2 that were somewhere behind and 9 that were so small I'm sure the consultant was hinting that they probably wouldn't grow. So in my head I thought we would probably have 7 follicles today if we were lucky. And if we were really lucky maybe 6 of those would have eggs in. Although I would have been happy to have had 5, maybe even 4.

About 30 mins before egg collection today I said so my fiance 'please prepare yourself that we may only get about 2 eggs'. He 'said why are you being so negative?'. I said 'I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic'. I assured him that I felt okay. I just didn't want to have unrealistic expectations. Well, it just goes to show what I know because on the IVF journey anything can happen and guess what? We got 8 eggs!

8 EGGS!!!!

I'm so happy. When the embryologist told us I shed 1 small tear of joy! (I wonder if she noticed? My fiance said he saw! Lol). I couldn't help but wonder where all the eggs came from? Apparently some of the follicles that I had somehow convinced myself wouldn't grow, did. I don't know who's watching over us (maybe my nan - remember she passed away 2 weeks ago and her funeral was yesterday?!). Anyway, whoever or whatever it is, from a science or spiritual point of view I'm so grateful. So blessed. 

It feels like we have a pretty good chance. Of course anything could go wrong at any stage, but as far as I'm concerned, so far so good.

Anyway that's all for this post, but I'll blog about the trigger injection and egg collection later. 

Today I'm feeling: The best I have all month! So happy. So alert. So positive. I feel like I've got baby dust sprinkled all over me! 

Jess. xx

GONAL-F SIDE EFFECTS | MY EXPERIENCE OVERALL

As yesterday was the last day of taking Gonal-F I thought I would share what I think of it overall. So, one positive is that I haven't felt the injections - those are nothing to worry about at all. The negatives are that it made me feel a bit flat, incredibly tired and just generally not myself. My fiance thinks I might be reacting to it in a way that's a bit back to front. Because we were advised that the Buserelin might make me feel a bit flat (along with lots of other possible side-effects) but by the time I get to the stims stage (e.g I start taking Gonal-F) I should perk right up. However, my reaction has been the total opposite!

Still, just like with the Buserelin I feel like I've got off pretty lightly when it comes to side-effects. If anyone asked me what do I think of my experience so far having gone through (or going through) IVF, I would say it's actually quite bearable. It's not been easy feeling crazy tired all the time but it's not unbearable either. However, I believe it's been made better for me because I work from home. I'm in a great position where if I want to sleep I can sleep and work later, or even just take the day off. That's def helped a lot. 

Going through IVF is a real game in itself and the truth is none of us know how we are going to react. Personally I would say the emotional side of it is much harder than the physical. (So far touch would - don't forget I've still got my EC and (hopefully) ET to go! 

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 32 | BUSERELIN INJECTION #32 & THE OVULATING INJECTION

Yesterday I had the last Gonal-F injection (so I had it for 10 days in total). Yay! I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. I feel like I got on really well with Buserelin, having had barely any side-effects. Buserelin seems to make me very tired but far more chilled than normal. I'm quite an anxious person at times and it was nice not to feel like that for a change. Although feeling so tired that you don't trust yourself to drive isn't ideal, I definitely enjoyed being more relaxed. Gonal-F seemed to change that feeling and I was on edge sometimes. But I also had no energy at all. 

Today was also the last day of Buserelin injections too so there's now only one more injection to go! That's the ovulating injection (Ovitrelle) which I'll be having at 9.30pm tonight. I have to have this 36-38 hours before my planned egg collection which is Tues morning, so stay tuned to find out what happens with that!

Today I'm feeling: Happy and pretty alert if I say so myself! High five to no more injections. I def got off lightly as far as side effects go and none of the injections have hurt at all (maybe the odd little prick here and there but nothing noticeable). My fiance has been brilliant at giving them. 

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 30 | GONAL-F INJECTION #9, BUSERELIN INJECTION #30 & PROGRESS ASSESSMENT 2

We had our second progress scan today. Egg Collection is going ahead as planned on Tues. Some of you might remember they found 16 follicles on Wed. Well I now have 5 that are 14, 15, 15.5, 16 and 18mm and 2 that are currently 12mm. The rest are below 10. I don't know what to think, but have to stay positive as good quality eggs are what we are aiming for rather than lots of follicles.

According to the consultant, they are looking for follicles that are 14mm at least, so I currently have 5. It doesn't seem like very many to me, however we still have 4 days to go and it only takes 1 egg. 

Today I'm feeling: A bit flat. Trying to remain positive.

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 28 | GONAL-F INJECTION #7, BUSERELIN INJECTION #28 & PROGRESS ASSESSMENT 1

Time seems to be flying by really fast now. We had our first progress assessment today and the consultant said things are looking good. As usual I had to have a transvaginal ultrasound which took a little bit longer than before as they had to count how many follicles I have. 

They found 16 altogether. 3 are very good. 2 are okay and the rest need to grow. So I've had to up my dosage of Gonal-F to 450 IU (previously I was on 300). As we don't have enough of the drug I'm having an urgent delivery some time tomorrow morning. According to our consultant this result is spot on as we don't want anymore than 20. That's when you're at risk of getting OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). Let me tell you, there isn't anyone in the world that's going to be wanting that. It sounds awful!

My next progress scan is on Friday so be sure to check back here and I'll tell you all about what happens with that. By this time next week I should have had my eggs collected (under general anesthetic) and be waiting for implantation if all goes well!

Today I'm feeling: Alright! I was tired. Had a 1 hour sleep in the afternoon and was pretty good after that. I definitely struggle to think when I'm taking this stuff though. I had to write something this morning and what should have taken me 15 mins took me about 2 hours! I honestly don't know how people get on when they're employed and can't choose when they want to work. Still, I guess everyone reacts differently?

Jess. xx