Most of us are understandably scared of taking shots. In fact, it's the idea of having to take injections daily for 10 days which puts lots of women off the idea of even attempting IVF. Many women are needle-phobic, and the idea of having to take an injection induces a lot of anxiety and stress.
The good news is that all the IVF injections ( except for progesterone, which we don't use anymore) are water-soluble, which means that they are not painful. If you learn to take your own injections, this will make going through the cycle a lot easier. It is scary the first time you do this, but it does get easier, and you will have mastered a new skill in the process. You can practise on an orange in the beginning.
If you are squeamish, get your husband to give you the shots. No one will give them with more love and care . After all, he knows that if he messes up, he will never be forgiven, so he will be very careful !
Here's a self-administration guide from one of our patients.
Subcutaneous administration of IVF injections
- Choose the injection site (abdomen/thigh/back of the upper arm)
- Cleanse the spot with alcohol, starting at the center of that site and then moving outward in a clear circular motion. Allow all the skin to dry before the injection- this helps avoid a stinging sensation
- Remove the cover of the needle- be careful that you do not loosen the needle from its syringe
- Hold the syringe like a pencil. Squeeze your skin and then position the needle properly at a 90 -degree angle to the skin's surface.
- Insert the needle in a dart-like motion.
- Pull-back a liitle on the plunger- just to check for blood. If there isnt any, push on the plunger and inject the blood. If any blood appears, withdraw your needle completly. Change it and prepare a diffrent site and then inject again
- After you have injected the medication, let-go of the pinched skin and then remove the needle quickly but gently. If there is any bleeding on the site, apply very gentle pressure for 10-15 seconds.
- Alternate the injection sites
- Dispose of the syringe in a glass jar/appropriate container. You can also return the used needles to the doctor's office at the end of thecycle and the clinic will dispose them for you.
- Congratulate yourself, on a job well done !
Read more-Injections For Infertility