I've heard a lot about side effects from IVF stimulation meds but after yesterday's walk in the park, I thought I might just be superwoman. Yeah, I was wrong, today I feel like my head is in a bear trap. I also have this constant feeling of dizziness. Like that feeling you get after you take the merri-go-round for a good spin but jump off too fast. I made that sound too fun, let me try this again. It's like that brief feeling of dizziness you get when you un-pop your ears on an airplane...except ALL THE TIIIIIIME. I've been trying to work all day, but I'm not having much luck in the focus department. Luckily, I'm extremely blessed and get to work from home. I honestly don't know how some women do this while working a regular 8-5. You're seriously my hero.
Tomorrow we have our first labs & sonogram appointment to check the progress of these (hopefully) growing follies. For those of you that don't know, that's what these meds are all about. I'm basically roiding out my ovaries. From this point forward, I'll have labs and sonograms every other day to check their growth. Ultrasounds are done to monitor the follicle growth throughout the stimulation process. They grow approximately 2mm per day. With IVF, the goal is to have 15-20 total follicles. Follicles have to reach a minimum of 15mm for the egg within to be mature enough to fertilize (the egg is too small to see, so everything is based off the size of the follicle). Since the follicles grow uneven, meaning some will mature faster than others, most doctors will give the "trigger shot" (HCG) when the largest 2-4 follicles reach maturity size. What is a trigger shot? It's a shot of HCG hormone (the pregnancy hormone) and it's what releases the eggs. The shot is done at home and from what I hear is pretty damn painful. I'll ovulate exactly 36 hours from the time I give myself the shot (this is when the retrieval will be done). The decision of when to give the trigger shot is determined by the experience of the doctor and his personal recommendation. If given too soon you may lose eggs because they're not mature enough. If given too late, they won't be viable because they're over-mature. Have I mentioned that our doctor is a badass? I'm not worried at all.
More updates tomorrow after the appointment!
Tomorrow we have our first labs & sonogram appointment to check the progress of these (hopefully) growing follies. For those of you that don't know, that's what these meds are all about. I'm basically roiding out my ovaries. From this point forward, I'll have labs and sonograms every other day to check their growth. Ultrasounds are done to monitor the follicle growth throughout the stimulation process. They grow approximately 2mm per day. With IVF, the goal is to have 15-20 total follicles. Follicles have to reach a minimum of 15mm for the egg within to be mature enough to fertilize (the egg is too small to see, so everything is based off the size of the follicle). Since the follicles grow uneven, meaning some will mature faster than others, most doctors will give the "trigger shot" (HCG) when the largest 2-4 follicles reach maturity size. What is a trigger shot? It's a shot of HCG hormone (the pregnancy hormone) and it's what releases the eggs. The shot is done at home and from what I hear is pretty damn painful. I'll ovulate exactly 36 hours from the time I give myself the shot (this is when the retrieval will be done). The decision of when to give the trigger shot is determined by the experience of the doctor and his personal recommendation. If given too soon you may lose eggs because they're not mature enough. If given too late, they won't be viable because they're over-mature. Have I mentioned that our doctor is a badass? I'm not worried at all.
More updates tomorrow after the appointment!