Hi
I've just completed my Mar/Apr IVF cycle with KKH and thought of sharing what i did during the cycle and 2WW, as i have seen a few posts of sisters wondering what to do.
What my hubby and I did which i found useful
1) Plan for distractions almost everyday to limit the amount of time i may fall into worrying.
- I borrowed books from the library (mostly on fertility - the best of the lot i read were "It starts with the Egg" for practical tips; "In vitro fertilization : the A.R.T. of making babies" for a scientific/medical explanation of the IVF process)
- I arranged TCM appointments. Went for acupuncture at EYS at Paragon on ER - 1, ER + 1 and ET -1.
- Checked office emails on alternate days
- Watched netflix!
- Hubby took 1/2 day leave on alternate days (which came up to prob about 3 days in total during the 2WW) to be with me. Brought me to the parks and beaches to relax.
2) Crinone gel
- Nurses advised that I should walk 15 - 20 mins after applying to aid absorption. I think the tip works as i don't recall seeing huge discharge of the gel (except for the one time described under 4 below)
- Apply it only after going to the toilet to minimise the need to go to the toilet soon after where some of the gel may fall out as it's not absorbed yet
- In the first few days of applying, i noticed a faint salmon coloured discharge on the pantyliner. Read online from others' experiences that it may be due to the insertion irritating the cervix causing slight spotting. Thereafter, i left a thumb width (width, not length) outside instead of pushing the length of the entire applicator right through. The faint pink spotting stopped significantly or reduced to none after i tried this.
3) Origins' peace of mind
I am a worry wart. In spite of the distractions, i found myself more jittery than usual. I would massage origins' peace of mind on my temples, ears and necks when i go for my walks and found that that helped me to relax easier. I was also happy that the product is mostly made up of natural ingredients without phthalates and synthetic fragrance.
What i did but wished i did NOT do
4) Bathed right after applying the crinone gel
Once, i took a shower right after applying crinone gel. The gel fell out while i was cleaning the area (i was on auto-pilot mode and didn't think about the possible impact on the gel!). Called KKH and asked if it means i should re-apply. Was told there was no need to and just wait for the next dose.
5) Monitored my basal temperature
Under TCM, i was to monitor my temperature but i forgot to ask if i still have to do so if i was undergoing IVF that month. As i didn't ask, i just continued to record my morning temperature. There were a couple of days after ET when the temperature dipped more than usual and i panicked. Googled madly, didn't get a conclusive answer and just continued to worry. Then, i got my hubby to record the temperature without telling me. Turned out that my temperature would pick up after those dips but i just didn't even want to know if there were dips 'cos it would just make me worry for that day that it dipped. Finally, at my next TCM appointment (which was already after the 2WW), TCM said no need to record.
Hope these help! (For those who are wondering, we are thankful that we are now moving on to the next stage of going for antenatal tests and appointments.)