IVF-what to expect as far as time

[maybebaby29]

Hi all,

We are waiting to start our first clomid+ IUI soon. We're just waiting for a cyst to go away first. If things go right, that meanst we will start in March and go for 3 cycles. However, we have a wedding and wanted to do a vacation in June so we were thinking if cycles 1-3 (or whatever schedule it falls on) doesn't work, we would take June off to get a break before going to IVF.

However, the more I look into IVF, I see how much work/schedule it is. Can one travel or do activities if one has gone through IVF? I only ask because our summers do get busy and part of me was thinking to put things on hold for a few months, try to have some fun, and then start up in Sept. again. But part of me feels horrible for thinking this--as if it's an inconvenience. But I never thought IVF was about 2 days of being totally bed ridden, no intercourse until 2WW or longer, etc. Is Clomid and IUI the same thing about being so overly cautious? I know after the IUI, they ask you to rest for say 20 min or an hour but after that you can go back to normal stuff within reason but everything with IVF seems just soooooo restrictive and cautious.

Has anyone else put IVF on hold for a short while due to convenience? I just don't want to regret waisting time either but for me, it doesn't seem THAT bad to perhaps wait with IVF for 3 months.

Thoughts or experiences?

[sarge1]

I just had my embryo transfer yesterday (IVF #3). Here are my random thoughts: With IVF you will be on a heavy load of injections (I'm up to 62 and counting).  The injections need to be given at the same time every day, so you either need to be home then or be somewhere that you can give them.  They do sometimes cause bruising and knots in the skin.  Because everything is so precision timed, and to prevent bad things like OHSS, I am monitered via blood tests and ultrasounds every other day.  The egg retrival is a surgery, and your partner will have to be there as well to give his sample. So that's a whole day, and you may be sore and not be able to do much heavy work for a few days. 3-5 days later, you will have your embryos transferred, which is a breeze, but will be on bedrest for a couple of days. Depending on what kind of injections you are on, those may continue for 3 months, thus again having to be given at the same time each day.
I almost put off this round of IVF in order to run the Boston Marathon, but after speaking with my RE, he thought at my age (39) it was best to continue full steam ahead.  
Hope that helps, and maybe it won't be necessary for you to move on to IVF-good luck.

[maybebaby29]

Good to know. Plus it gives me a break from doing cleaning. :) I planned on taking it easy for a week (like no exercise, heavy lifting, traveling) with an IUI but not as bed-ridden as IVF sounds.

[Helen72]

I am thinking of starting ivf in about a week and my nurse told me that myself and my dh will have to clear our schedules for 2 months of testing & procedures.  IUI is nowhere near that time-consuming.
I hope IUI works for you!

[nevaeh222]

I'm not sure about IVF but for IUI you have to take it easy all day. You're not supposed to clean or lift anything remotely heavy due to the fact that you could make the sample come out...but you can have a normal day the day after.