Okay, here’s my experience with “fertilizacion in vitro” (IVF), shared in a personal, blog-style format, and using simple language:
So, let’s talk about IVF. It’s a wild ride, let me tell you. My partner and I, we tried and tried the old-fashioned way, but nothing was happening. We went to the doctor, ran a bunch of tests, and yep, we needed a little extra help. That’s where IVF came in.
Getting Started
First, it was all about the information. We had consultations, read pamphlets, and watched videos. Basically, they were going to take my eggs, mix them with his sperm in a lab, and then, hopefully, put some healthy embryos back in me.
Then came the shots. Oh, the shots! I had to become my own nurse, sticking myself with needles every day. These were to stimulate my ovaries to produce a bunch of eggs, instead of just the usual one.
- Hormone injections: Daily, sometimes multiple times a day. My belly started to look like a pincushion.
- Monitoring: Lots of appointments for ultrasounds and blood tests. They were constantly checking how my ovaries were responding.
Egg Retrieval
Once my eggs were ready, it was time for the retrieval. I was put under anesthesia – thank goodness! – and the doctor used a needle to collect the eggs from my ovaries. It sounds scary, but I didn’t feel a thing.
Meanwhile, my partner had to, um, “produce a sample.” That part was his job.
In the Lab
This is where the magic (or science!) happens. The embryologists (the lab folks) took my eggs and his sperm and combined them. We chose to do ICSI, where they inject a single sperm directly into each egg. This ups the chances, they said.
Then, we waited. For days. They monitored the eggs to see if they fertilized and started growing into embryos. It was nerve-wracking! We got updates every day, like “Five fertilized! Four are growing well!” It felt like a reality show, but with our future family.
Embryo Transfer
A few days later, it was time for the embryo transfer. This part was way easier than the retrieval. No anesthesia needed. The doctor used a thin tube to place the best-looking embryos into my uterus. It was quick, and I barely felt anything.
The Two-Week Wait
After the transfer, it was the dreaded “two-week wait.” This is the time between the transfer and when you can take a pregnancy test. It’s the longest two weeks of your life! You’re analyzing every twinge, every feeling, wondering if it’s a sign.
I was so nervous and I finally took the test, and… it was positive! We were pregnant! Of course, there were more checkups and monitoring, but we were on our way.
IVF is a tough process, physically and emotionally. It’s also expensive. But for us, it was worth it. It gave us our beautiful child, and we’re forever grateful.
