IVF Medication Tips and Tricks
Is the fear of IVF shots keeping you from your dream baby? Read on to learn some tips and tricks learned from nurses and former patient experience to help minimize those fears and make this process more manageable.
First things first, open your box of medications right away when it arrives from the pharmacy and do not panic. There are going to be lots of different medications, needles, syringes, pills. You will not be taking all of the medications at once, but it’s important to go through and match what you have to your IVF calendar to ensure you have what your nurse intended.
Some medications require refrigeration, some do not. The medications that do not need to be refrigerated should keep at room temperature. Check the labels and store them accordingly. As you know, these are expensive and not readily available at the local drug store, so replacing them could be challenging, especially if last minute.
Stay organized! You don’t need anything fancy, although a Caboodle may bring back some nostalgia for those 80s babies out there. Any simple way to store all of your IVF medications in a safe place, where you will have everything you need in reach is key. Make copies of your calendar and put it on the fridge, on your bathroom mirror, anywhere you are going to have to look at it every day. Some patients choose to transfer their IVF calendars into their phone and set alarms, others are old school and put it into their day planners! Whatever method will work for you, do it! Medication mistakes happen, but we want to try to set you up for success and minimize the risk of making an error.
IVF protocol injections
Menopur- it stings, okay maybe it burns. You can ice the site on your abdomen before
administering the injections
Wait for the alcohol to dry prior to injection
Use a quick dart motion- no hesitation
Rotate the sites where you are injecting
Topical numbing creams or patches can be used, but are not required. Be sure to clean
the site with an alcohol swab prior to injecting
Suppositories- Estrogen and progesterone are often prescribed in suppository form.
No IVF is not turning you into a Smurf! Estrogen tablets might be blue in color so could
cause blue/green discharge, don’t be alarmed!
Discharge is normal from suppositories
We suggest a panty liner to help contain the discharge
It is not recommended to insert a tampon to “hold” suppositories in place
Vaginal suppositories may come with an applicator, or you can insert them with your
finger instead which may reduce irritation from applicator use
If you have the option to do a dose at night, insert it before bed to allow gravity to help
keep the suppository in place
Estrogen patches are probably the most simple administration of these medications. If you can apply a Band-Aid, you can apply an estrogen patch. Removing the sticky adhesive left behind is another story. Here are a few things you may already have in your medicine cabinet that can help remove that residue:
Baby oil
Eye makeup remover
Coconut oil
Extra Alcohol pads from your injections? Try one of those.
Next up, the dreaded PIO, Progesterone in Oil. Try one or a combo of these recommendations for your next injection:
Place one of those buzzy bee vibrating devices near the injection site to distract from the poke of the needle
Ensure the muscle is relaxed by removing all pressure on that leg, put your weight on the opposite leg
Warm the vial of oil by rubbing the bottle between your hands for a few minutes before injection
Apply mild heat and massage the muscle after injection to disperse the medication.
PIO is often compounded in peanut or sesame oil. If you have an allergy, there are
alternative forms of oil that can be prescribed
Phone a friend! Ask your partner or a friend if they are willing to help you with the
injection
Tylenol is generally recommended throughout treatment for mild aches and pains and be sure to drink lots of water! Treat yourself to a cute reusable water bottle and fill it up!
Medication teaching videos can be accessed on the Conceptions website here.
These tips come from the experience of nurses and patients who've been there but do not substitute for medical advice. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
Happy injecting!
-Erica Lewis, RN, BSN, Clinical Physician Liaison