Let’s cut to the chase. IVF injections are scary, overwhelming, and come with a lot of common pitfalls and misunderstandings.
We asked fertility nurse and Dandi co-founder, Leyla Bilali, what you need to know asap to make sure that you’re confident going in with your IVF medication protocol. Leyla’s also been through IVF herself, so she knows her stuff.
Find our top tips on injecting IVF meds like a pro in the video above, and the article below.
1. Switch Up Your IVF Injection Site
Inject Different Spots for Each Medication Type
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to injecting IVF medications, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach.
For your first night, it's recommended to inject each medication type in different spots on your abdomen. This way, if you experience any reactions, you can easily identify which medication might be the cause.
This tip is pretty genius as there can be side effects of different medications, so it’s important information to have if you do need to go back and check on anything with your nurse.
Alternate Sides Each Night
Another option commonly used by IVF patients is to alternate sides of your abdomen nightly for injections. For instance, you might use your right side for the first night of injections and your left side for the next.
There can be bruising with IVF injections, so don’t feel like you have to keep injecting the exact same spot. You can move it around as long as you’re sticking to the correct part of your body and administration method (subcutaneous vs intramuscular).
A clinic nurse will likely walk you through which areas you can use to inject and may even draw a target on your body for where to inject. In our research, we learned a lot of clinics are still using Sharpie for this – not ideal, as those markers can carry toxic chemicals.You can use the Dandi Shot Targets for a clean, nontoxic shot target. They don’t have harsh chemicals, will wash off after a few days, and come in packs of 8 for easy reapplication.
2. Inject Fertility Meds Slowly
Listen, injecting Menopur burns. It’s a thing. To help mitigate this side effect, many women going through IVF often say that injecting medications such as Menopur slowly can reduce the burning sensation.
While you can't eliminate the discomfort entirely, a slower injection can help ease it.
3. Apply Ice Before and Heat After IVF Injections
To make the injection experience more comfortable:
- Consider icing the injection site beforehand and using heat afterward.
- If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
4. Mixing IVF Meds
One of the most crucial yet intimidating aspects of IVF medication is mixing the medications properly. Certain medications such as Menopur require you to mix the medication yourself.
Many patients find this process daunting but your fertility clinic should have a med-teach that you take before jumping in with this process and there are always online resources they share as well.
If you need a refresher or want more hands-on support, Dandi's nurses can guide you through mixing your medications real-time from the comfort of your home, ensuring you're using the correct amounts and techniques.
Just book a session and you can video chat with one of our amazing fertility nurses and follow her lead.
5. IVF Injection Support Services
Dandi Fertility offers virtual care services with experienced fertility nurses, so you can video chat with a nurse real-time while you’re preparing and injecting your IVF meds!
Our nurses can help you with:
- Administering, mixing, and prepping your IVF medications
- Addressing any anxieties or questions you may have about the IVF medications and/or treatment process
You don’t need to purchase our handy injection comfort kit to book our nursing support services, but we do offer bundles if that’s something you want to do. Reassurance and guidance from a virtual session with a fertility nurse can boost your confidence as you move forward in your IVF journey and give you extra support when your clinic is unavailable.
Navigating IVF can be challenging, but with the right support and techniques, you can manage your medication injections with ease. Whether you're looking for tips on injection techniques or need a little encouragement during the process, remember that help is available. If you only need us once, twice, or more often, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our nursing team would be delighted to help guide you through this important journey.
