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IVF: ovarian stimulation and injections
IVF stimulation · IVF injections · ovarian stimulation · IVF protocol
You give yourself hormone injections so that several eggs mature in the ovaries. The doctor watches this with ultrasounds and blood tests.
This is the first stage of IVF. It starts on your doctor's schedule, usually at the beginning of the cycle.
⏱ Duration: injections usually last 8 to 14 days, with several ultrasounds
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Schedule. Get a written schedule from your doctor: which medicine, what dose, and what time.
- Storage. Some medicines are kept in the fridge. Check the instructions.
- Training. Ask the nurse to show you how to give the injection.
- Calendar. Set phone reminders for your injection times.
What to bring
- Your ID
- Your medicine schedule
- Your medicines, if asked to bring them
- Your injection diary
How it goes
- Wash your hands and get the pen or syringe ready
- Wipe the skin on your belly with an alcohol wipe
- Pinch a fold of skin
- Put in the needle and slowly inject the medicine
- Hold the needle for a few seconds, then take it out
- Write down the time and dose
- Come for ultrasounds and blood tests on the set days
What you'll feel
- A quick prick, sometimes a small bruise
- Bloating and heaviness low in the belly
- Mood swings and tiredness
Afterwards
- When the follicles are mature, you get a trigger shot. Give it at exactly the set time
- At a set time after it, the eggs are collected
- No hard workouts during stimulation
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Severe belly pain or bloating: call your doctor or emergency services
- Shortness of breath, little urine, or sudden weight gain: call emergency services
- Severe weakness or dizziness
Common questions
What if I missed an injection?
Call your doctor or clinic right away. Do not double the dose on your own.
Can I work during stimulation?
Usually yes. The main thing is not to miss injections and ultrasounds.