I was signing myself up to become a human pin cushion!

Hello Hello!

Most of us have had conversations or at least listened in on one involving IVF or AI.  I have always mixed up the two thinking Artificial Insemination meant they grow the embryo in a petri dish, and In Vitro meant they used a turkey baster.  Haha, had to use that one!  I wasn't aware that In Vitro means 'In Glass' in Latin.  If I had, I would've known the difference long ago.  Nonetheless, we've heard of them, but to really understand what is involved is entirely different.

It wasn't until the day after our initial consultation with Dr. Riggs that I had a better understanding of the process.  I watched the video that I posted in With a lot of love and a little bit of science, we were going to make a baby!, and gained so much knowledge on infertility and what options are available.

"Infertility 101" presented by Ryan Riggs, M.D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28d-qfESsMQ

The next meeting we had with Dr. Riggs was to discuss moving forward with In Vitro Fertilization.  What I didn't know was the process was going to be 12-15 months, and I was signing myself up to become a human pin cushion.

Yes, immediately after making the decision to make a baby they wanted blood, and a week after that even more; again in a month.  My veins have become pros to this hostile needle take over!!  I thought that was a lot, until I read through a packet given to me to prepare for what was coming.   I never expected the IVF cycle itself was going to be as intense as it appeared.  I learned that not only was I getting my blood drawn more in 2 months than I had in my lifetime; I was going to be injecting myself on a daily basis for 2-3 weeks.  You've got to be kidding me, right?  Nope!  The cycle involves many medications, most of which are injections.  Some other things this packet mentions to prepare for are extreme ups and downs with emotions.  They have information on group therapy, acupuncture, healthy eating/lifestyles and meditation.  I remember reading the information and getting teary eyed, wondering what am I getting myself into?  These are not things you imagine would be involved. 

I'll be honest, I'm a very emotional person to begin with.  Seriously, I've had commercials bring tears to my eyes.  Sometimes it's like I've turned on the water works, so as you can imagine I was pretty shaken up about this.  But I knew it's something I have to do.  It's going to be nothing compared to child birth... nothing to compared to child birth!!