1. As soon as I say “IVF” the first thing that comes to mind for many people is a long needle that goes in the tushy. You will take injections to get your eggs to grow but they are small short needles that go in the skin of your tummy. If you have a hard time with the idea of giving yourself shots or don’t have someone who will help, I will do your injections for you happily.
2.The weight gain is really really annoying. The injections are calorie-free (ha ha) but you may feel more bloated and hungrier than usual.
3. We don’t prescribe birth control pills at the start of your cycle because we are trying to prevent pregnancy. We use birth controls as “IVF readiness pills.” I wish they could be labeled that way because I get the funniest looks when I start talking about taking birth control for some (not all) IVF protocols. And then you should know that it’s totally normal to spot on the pill (we call that breakthrough bleeding). And then……………………….
4. You’ll get another period after you stop the pills before you start shots. Confused? Don’t be! The hormones basically take over your cycle so your doctor can collect your eggs at their time of maximal awesomeness. This means your egg retrieval day is basically your “ovulation day” and you will get a period about 10 days later. Your doc has aspirated the cells that secrete estrogen and progesterone so if you’re planning a frozen transfer and are not taking hormone replacement, your period will come earlier than you’re used to and that’s totally okay.
5. You’re going to feel symptoms of ovulation: egg white cervical mucus and little twinges in your ovaries as your follicles grow but you’re not really ovulating. The reason why you sense the same discharge during IVF as you do around ovulation is because of the body’s response to a rise in estrogen. It isn’t unusual for me to get panicked calls from patients worried that they’re “losing my eggs and ovulating.” Don’t worry. It’s all normal!
6. Even though you had the fluid in your follicles drained during the egg retrieval, you may still feel bloated and have what feels like gas pain after the procedure. Over time the swelling in your ovaries will go down and you will most likely feel better once your period starts (assuming you’re doing a frozen embryo transfer).
7. The emotional ups and downs are harder than the physical stuff. Make sure you have the support you need from the beginning. Let go as much as you can. Realize that you can only do your best and the outcome is out of your control.
Photos of Dr. Nikki used with permission.
TJ says
Thank you for this article, and your fantastic youtube channel. I am going through a stim cycle for egg harvesting at the moment and started getting mucus yesterday. Have been super worried that I am ovulating when I shouldn’t be. This article is the ONLY one I have found that says it’s normal and not to worry. There’s not even any info on it from my own clinic, and the nurses haven’t bothered to call me back yet either. So thank you for being the only person andresource to put my mind at ease.
Aimee says
Thank you for your message! Thank you for being a fan of my YouTube channel. Means a lot to me to hear from people that find the info helpful. I will keep developing content knowing that you find it helpful. Thank you so much!
Dee says
This was super helpful. I am currently in the stim process . I got so worried when I saw the mucus
Chelle says
I second tj’s comment! Thanks for the info that ovulation discharge is normal. I started panicking too!
FunkyDuck says
Thank you! Same here, ovulation like discharge and I was slightly terrified – it is day 7 of injections.
Thanks for writing this. So relieved.
AR says
Thank you so much for this article. I wish I would have read this earlier in my cycle from the moment of breakthrough bleeding. I had so many questions. Today I worried about ovulating. I stand reassured. Thanks again!
Yan says
Thank you for the content. Extremely helpful. I’m on cycle day 6 and start seeing EWCM. Is it normal to have it as early as this? Will definately check your youtube channel. Thank you!
Stephanie says
Thank you for posting this! I’m on day 6 of stims and I started getting watery discharge and FREAKING OUT and worrying that I was ovulating! Thank you so much for putting my mind at ease!
kate says
I agree with the comment above. this is the only article i could find that lays everything out and includes the “feelings” of ovulation and the fluid- i had a panic today thinking what you described. Thank you thank you thank you. i feel so much more prepared now.
Joecy Datiles Frazier says
Just like TJ I got worried too about the white like rubbery vaginal discharge (I say it’s rubbery because it hold it’s own even submerge in water, it’s like small tofu or yogurt). I told my doctor about this, she said it’s normal because of the estrogen, but I can’t help but worry that I am loosing eggs. Thank you foe this article. Tonight is my trigger shot at 8pm. My husband will administer it, I’m scared but excited at the same time. Thank you again! Best – joecy
Theja says
So thankful that I found this article on the very first search. It’s my day 5 and observed the same. And also seeing the response of ppl felt more relieved and now I am one along u guys.
Shary says
I had the same problem also..doctor orderd me do orgalutran on day 5 with gonal f stimmo BUUT day 4 ganol f (9 days into cycle) I noticed EWCM panicked so I called my FS which she told me to take my orgalutran ASAP instead of wait til next day. I had scan next day FS reassured me I have not ovulated yet. If u notice something u not sure of just know u can always ring to ask your firtility clinic. sometimes u can ovulate early
Tamika says
Can spotting also be a side effect of stims? I’m on day 9, due for my egg collection on Tuesday and cannot find anything about spotting at this time in the cycle. 😩
Joanne Tremarco says
Thank you. I have had a lot of mucus on eve of day five and was worried that the cetrotide was coming too late. I feel better now.
Aina says
Thank you for this reassuring article. I am on day 8 stims and now l feel dryness, l was worried something was wrong, thinking follicles have stopped growing. You have given me hope that all is going ok. Thank you again. I will definitely go to your YouTube channel, l really need this as this is my 5th ivf, l am really hoping for a good outcome this time
Deb says
Thank you so much. This article was much needed and very reassuring
Sarah says
Hi there , I have a high AMH for my age 39 years , no polycystic ovarian disease and have all the checks and blood test . I had basal check of blood in 6 month ago. I started my first IVF cycle ,225 gonal F and on day 5 (3 days of Gonal F) I started getting mucus that looked like ovulation and I rang the Fertility specialist that said it’s normal as there increase in oestrogen , but I’m still getting the mucus looking ovulation on , it been happening everyday and I’m scared because I have high AMH. I started my orgultran on day 8 and again on day 9 but I’m yet to have scan until day 9, ( day 7 , 7 of taking medication) which I feel is to late . I’m scared of ovulating to quick . Thanks Sarah
Deanna says
Thank you for this information! I’ve been stressed that I’m ovulating and now I feel like I can relax.