IVF #1 Treatment Schedule
Part 4: The Grand Finale
You can read the rest of my 4 part IVF series below:
Part 1 : Our decision to move forward with IVF and why
Part 2: What exactly is IVF?
Part 3: How can a Christian and prolife advocate choose IVF?
My treatment schedule for IVF numero uno
4/1/2013 Begin oral contraceptive pills. Remain on active pills only. *Sidenote* Which, btw, when you start a pack a few days into your period, after not being on birth control for oh, about 5 years? It’s like, *brakes squealing* *children wailing in walmart* *dogs barking* *sirens sounding* My poor body was like WTH are you doing to me?! *end sidenote* Continue/start daily prenatal vitamins and daily low dose aspirin 81 mg uncoated tablet. – Currently doing
4/12/2013 Begin evening Lupron injection 10 units once daily subcutaneous in the abdomen and Dexamethasone 0.5 mg(one tablet by mouth) at bedtime –Currently doing
4/16/2013 Last active oral contraceptive pill.(whoop whoop)
4/16/2013 With onset of menses after starting Lupron, begin azithromycin (ZPak) for Jim and myself
4/16/2013 Suppression ultrasound and Estradiol and Progesterone blood test. Also, SHG to check that uterus and fallopian tubes are good to go.
I’m leaving Abigail with a non family “babysitter” all day for the very first time on Tuesday. Thank you, thank you, Heather!! (Although, she is probably reading my potty training post and thinking THANKS A LOT dude)
Continue taking Lupron; remain on dosage 0.1 ml (10 units) injections once daily. Continue taking daily dexamethasone, prenatal vitamin and low dose aspirin.
4/21/2013 Begin evening (between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.) fertility drug (GonalF, Follistim, Menopur) injections following the treatment schedule provided.
These are my meds for our entire cycle. They showed up in a giant box at the door. Holy crapola, no?
PS. this is what $2500 worth of medicine looks like. In case you ever wondered. Double holy crapola.
I will probably require about 10 days of ovarian stimulation (fertility) drugs. Once the follicles containing the eggs have been determined to be of adequate size and producing enough estradiol, then I will be told to stop Dexamethasone, Lupron, and fertility drug (GonalF) injections.
I will be instructed to take one last injection of a drug called Ovidrel which will complete the maturation process of the eggs. This injection will be taken 34-36 hours prior to egg retrieval.
4/23 blood work
4/26 9:45 ultrasound and labs
4/29 9:45 ultrasound and labs
Tentative Egg Retrieval 5/1-5/3
Tentative Egg Transfer 5/6-5/8
Afterwards I will start PIO(progesterone in oil) to help sustain a possible pregnancy.
This is the needle for it.
You guys. YOU GUYS. Look at that needle. That’s like, quadruple. Nay, quintuple, HOLY crapola y’all.
Totally and completely overwhelming, am I right?
My current motto, mantra, prayer right now is “One day at a time”. I’m not thinking about injections. I’m not thinking about retrieval. I’m not thinking about a pregnancy test. Today, I’m remembering to take 4 pills…..and a shot. And tomorrow, I’ll think about what I have to do then. It’s helping me feel less like AHHHHHHH and more like, ahhh.
I really wanted to get all of this typed out and shared on the blog. I tried googling “Christian IVF Blogs” and came up pretty empty. I found 2 pretty good resources, but out of the entire internet, I have to say it was severely lacking. I really wanted to read some inspiring and informative IVF info from Christians who have been there and it was kind of disheartening reading what I found. So, I was inspired to really put my story out there. Hopefully, the next person like me who searches for Christian IVF blogs can find some respite and answers here.
Pray, pray, pray for us. Pray for life. Pray for health. Pray for our marriage. Pray for our parenting of our sweet little Abigail as we go through all sorts of stresses, emotional turmoil, and hormonal madness(that one is just for me!).
I will keep everything updated here as we move along in this crazy process. If you want to discuss more or have any other questions you can always comment or shoot me an email.
Actually I was reading about the mini pedicure and thinking she'll be the most angelic thing to set foot at my place! Thank you for sharing all of this. Praying so much for you and Jim. And for Abigail too, and those little twins. -H.
Hah! You're too sweet. Hey, if your fervent prayers bring my twins, you will be first in line to come help rock, swaddle, and soothe 😉
Thinking of you throughout every step!
Thank you, Kara!
Thank you for sharing all of this Courtney! Praying for you sweet friend! I have no doubt in my mind that you will be amazing and do awesome!
Thank you, Katie! So far so good, but I'm only dealing with little injections at this point. If only we were close and you could do them for me!
That is a lot of medicine! Oh my goodness! Thank you for sharing your journey in the blog world. Your story and encouragement will be a blessing to others. Praying for ya'll!
Thanks, Marla. Yeah, every time I see the stack of it on my bathroom counter it startles me!
Praying for you and your family as you count down the final days to bringing your newest addition home!
Wow, Courtney. I wasn't aware of all that is involved, you are going to inspire and encourage so many by sharing this and being so real and honest. I'll be praying for you!
Thank you! We appreciate your prayers!
Praying for you all through this whole process!
Thank you, Candace!