Wake up, take a shot, go to clinic for ultrasound and bloodwork, go to work, come home, take a shot, go to bed, repeat. I have a strange feeling I have done this before… Oh wait, I have! It’s all coming back to me now (queue Celine Dion background music).
It was just two months ago I was experiencing all of this for the first time. The process was so exciting and I was full of hope. Now it just seems like a part of my average day! It feels a bit sad that I have grown accustomed to all of the injections and medications. I wonder what I will do when there comes a day that I don’t have to worry about all of this. Knowing me, I will probably be bored.
My dad has a lot of “favorite quotes” that he has shared with me over the years, but one that has often stuck out to me is this: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Some days this is how I feel about the whole IVF problem. What is going to make this time so different from the last, unsuccessful time? Sure, we are doing some things different like PGS and a frozen egg transfer, but can that really make a difference if the problem is my egg quality?
Thus, I have introduced a regimen of acupuncture, avocado, eggs and massage into my routine this cycle. Being the control freak that I am, I can’t just sit back and do the exact same thing and expect a different/better outcome! All of these “new additions” are thanks to Dr. Google, who I’m sure knows exactly what he is talking about.
Scientific research actually does show that acupuncture can have a positive effect on infertility issues and IVF cycles. At the very least it can help to reduce the stress that I feel. I have had about five acupuncture sessions so far and I have to admit, I like it! The needles are nothing compared to PIO shots and you barely feel the pressure of the needle, let alone the poke. I find the presence of ultra-thin needles in my face, stomach, ears and feet (to name a few) to be oddly relaxing. I plan to keep these weekly visits up through my FET in January. For more information on acupuncture for fertility, click here.
The “Avocado Diet” is based on a very small study that found that a diet high in healthy, monounsaturated fats (avocados!) could increase the chances of a positive IVF cycle! In fact, those who ate the highest amounts were said to be 3.4 times more likely to have a child after IVF. So, obviously I have been eating tons of guacamole, nuts and olive oil.
In addition to avocados, sometime, somewhere I read an article about eating an egg a day during stims. Apparently it can help with egg quality? At the very least it is helping me to meet my protein quota, since I do not eat much meat.
Finally, I have a fertility massage scheduled this week! I’m not really sure what that means (I am imagining a lot of ovary rubbing, but what do I know), but I am excited for any type of massage. I will report back on that later.
Here’s to shaking things up and staying sane this cycle!
The Patient Mom 