Week 2- Stimulation Phase

Night Time Routine

The Fertility and IVF world call this “STIMS”

This is the process where you are now stimulating your ovaries. This is how I think of it: you are taking your normal size ovaries (almond size) and growing them to the size of oranges. In a normal cycle, you produce ONE egg each month! Well thanks to stimulation you start producing WAY more than one egg, and yes you can feel it!! A lot of girls describe it as a fluttery feeling in their stomach. During the stimulation phase, you visit the doctors frequently, they do blood work and ultrasounds to check your follicles. This is important because it lets you know if your body is or isn't responding to the medications.

All my needles for the week!

Monday- We started injections- George is a master at this, thank gosh because I did not want to give myself shots!! I started with Gonal and Menopur, both are stimulation medications. The shots are done in the stomach and don’t hurt too bad- little sting and it’s over 😊  TIP: After mixing the menopur let it sit for about 10 minutes- helps with the burn!! 

Mixing the Menopur

Tuesday - things went downhill- George gave me my nightly shots and 3 hours later a stomach bug hit!!!! At the time, we didn’t know if it was the medications or a stomach bug-luckily my doctor assured me it was a bug and I started getting better the next day. Side note-While all this was happening George was googling IVF blogs/youtube videos to help us figure out if it was the medications or bug.  More than ever I am thankful for all the women who opened up about their journey- doctors don't give you the day to day run down of an IVF cycle- remember they have never been through it! well most haven't anyways.

Leaving the doctors Wednesday-still feeling the stomach bug but follicles are GROWING! YAY

Wednesday- After my doctors appointment I went home and slept all day! I started feeling better and the shots continued. I added a pill which I will take for the remainder of stims. Starting now I do 2 shots and 1 oral pill. I was terrified for George to give me the shots because I did not want to get sick again. THANK YOU JESUS I didn’t, Wahoo!!  As of now I’m feeling pretty good. I think if I did have any symptoms I wouldn’t know because of how sick I was Tuesday night. My stomach is a little tight and sore from the injections and I get hot flashes throughout the day but other than that everything is good!

Thursday - Way better than Tuesday and Wednesday!! The stomach bug is officially gone. I was able to get a workout in with Autumn (21 day fix) wahoo. Also, did some yoga. My stomach is sore and bruised from the shots and I'm still having hot flashes but no headaches or stomach problems today! Thursday night my stomach started swelling..looked like I had a tiny bump!! LOL. but was gone the next morning (HMMM). 

Friday- doctor’s appointment to check on my follicles! When I arrived, there were SO MANY GIRLS in the waiting room. I can’t believe how many women have to deal with infertility. SUCKS! It was a typical appointment, they did blood work and an ultrasound to see if the injections are working. YALL I AM SO SICK OF NEEDLES UGH!!! I left feeling a little discouraged!! My follicles are growing but I don’t have many. Today they saw 1 mature follicle measuring at 17mm (YAY), 5 follicles (10mm) that should mature by Monday and 2 follicles are being super slow but hopefully they grow this weekend... fingers crossed!!! The doctor said I should have around 7-10 at egg retrieval. She could tell I was a little disappointed, the more eggs the more chances of healthy embryos! I have low ovarian reserve so eggs were not in my favor from the start (reason I am doing IVF). BUT since I’m young hopefully quality is in my favor! Wahooo. Praying my eggs grow over the weekend and one becomes our GOLDEN EGG!! Overall I’m still feeling good. 

Blood work and Ultrasound Time

Saturday- day 6!!! Woke up feeling fine (no bloat). I was able to get a workout and some shopping in. WAHOO. By 4pm I am DONE. exhausted and  I look pregnant- George said my belly is trippin him out. LOL! Maybe if a baby was in there it would be different? The hormones are making me HUNGRY and TIRED but I haven't experienced the emotional breakdowns or headaches much this week. Today I started feeling the fluttering.. AHH its so weird! Hoping this means my eggs are growing and maturing! Overall I have been super relaxed- haven't cried once since we started STIMS- GO ME!

Sunday- Day 7- Woke up feeling uncomfortable, but its expected. I think my ovaries have now reached the size of oranges! I decided to get out of the house and move around a little-went for a walk then came home and rested. I am starting to run out of space for my shots!!! Hard not to inject a spot that's already been hit. Tonight that happened and caused some bleeding and a bruise! I am ready to trigger. hopefully I will find out tomorrow when we do.

Monday- Day 8- Doctors appointment, I had my bloodwork done then went back for an ultrasound- a little nervous because we are to the end of stims. My mom and Georges mom decided to tag along for this apt- As of now it looks like I have 7-10 follicles. It sounds low but for my AMH levels its pretty average. She told me tonight might be trigger -

Tuesday- Day 9- TRIGGER DAY. I know this sounds foreign so let me explain...The trigger shot is what makes you ovulate exactly 36 hours after the injection is given. It is very important the shot is given on time so you don't ovulate before surgery. They called me Tuesday afternoon with my trigger time-10pm. So that means Egg Retrieval is scheduled for Thursday at 9am. This shot is HUGE compared to the others. NERVES are going CRAZY. See pic below 

Wednesday- Trigger shot hurt less than my nightly shots-crazy! Nothing today, finally get a rest day!