The Pack

We receive an IVF pack at the beginning of December which gives us the lowdown. Mr IVF is at work, I scan read it, then put it away. It sounds hideous.

Mr IVF comes home and eventually the next day gets round to reading it. I don't understand why he didn't pick it up immediately after walking over the threshold and feel a little bit of fury at this. It's IMPORTANT, look what is going to happen to ME. I know I'm overreacting and being unfair so I try not to be outwardly furious. Mr IVF does things methodically and gives things proper time whereas I am impatient and try to do a million things at once.

If you don't know what is involved with IVF here is a quick explanation:

The docs need to control your cycle so firstly you inject yourself to stop the ovaries working. Then when the ovaries are suppressed you also start injecting yourself with synthetic hormones to stimulate follicles (in which should be eggs). I'm guessing this is the period when some ladies go crazy.

If everything is a-ok all your eggs are collected and your partner gives a sperm sample on the same day. From then on you have to use progesterone suppositories every night until the pregnancy test. Next is the embryo transfer which occurs not long after egg collection. Then the pregnancy test.

The whole process can take as little as 6 weeks or much much longer. It can also be cancelled if at any stage there is a risk to your health.