Starting In Vitro..

When you've done all you can do, the only thing left to do...is move forward. Our in vitro (IVF) process has begun. We couldn't be more excited....and nervous. 

It all started when I received a large package from FedEx, which was a huge box full of my medications. Most of them consisted of injections that I will perform on myself daily, others were pills that Dusty and I both have to take. 

$3,000 worth of medications

The "fun" begins on a Friday, when Dusty and I both start an antibiotic. We take the antibiotics for ten days (the purpose of the antibiotic to get rid of any and all types of infection or virus' that we might have). For Dusty's part of the medication, well that's about it. Me on the other hand, that's a different story. First I start taking a Lupron injection. Lupron acts by suppressing the pituitary gland (which is the gland that is normally responsible for triggering ovulation). However, before the suppression occurs, Lupron will briefly stimulate the pituitary causing an increase in hormones that stimulate follicle production. I take the Lupron injections once a day for three weeks. 

A week and a half after I start the Lupron, I start another injection. This one actually consists of two medications that I mix power and liquid together for one injection. These medications are called Bravelle and Menopur. Bravelle is a follicle stimulating hormone. Menopur is two kinds of hormonal activity, FSH, which helps increase egg production; and LH activity, to assist with ovulation. This injection is also done once a day, giving me two injections per day. I take the Bravelle and Menopur for a week and two days. 

During these few weeks of medication/injections, I will also have occasionally blood draws. Then starting four days before the egg retrieval I will have an ultrasound everyday for three days. (Depending on if my ovaries have produced the right amount eggs and if they mature enough for the egg retrieval, I may have more ultrasounds or less.)

When the ultrasound reveals that my eggs are at the right stage of maturity, I take a trigger injection (which triggers ovulation) and 36 hours later we make the drive to Pleasant Grove to retrieve the eggs.