Guide To IVF Shots

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves retrieving viable eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them using sperm in a lab. The formed embryo is inserted into the uterus and the pregnancy progresses in the usual way. 

In order to retrieve viable eggs, a person will be required to undergo a process of injecting hormones into their bloodstream to stimulate egg production. So we shall be discussing how to prepare for and administer the IVF injections, as well as tips on how to manage any side effects.  

What Medicines Are Injected in IVF?

In IVF treatments, hormone therapy is administered in injections. There are additional medications administered as oral tablets or vaginal pessaries. Both the medications and hormones are prescribed on a case by case basis. 

The medications and hormone therapy are used for ovarian stimulation which causes the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs at the same time. The injections can be administered by a healthcare provider or done at home.

IVF Step-by-Step

There are several steps to IVF treatments. To prepare the eggs for retrieval, the ovaries need to be stimulated in two steps. Then the eggs are retrieved and fertilized, while the uterus is prepared for carrying the embryo. It is a very systematic and well-timed process. Let us look at the steps in a bit more detail: 

Ovulation Delay

In a typical menstrual cycle, ovaries develop several follicles on the surface of an ovary containing immature eggs, called oocytes. One of these oocytes matures fully, and is released from its follicle housing during ovulation, and the remaining oocytes simply stop developing. 

For IVF treatments, it is the practice to suppress natural ovulation using a downregulation protocol which lowers the likelihood of premature ovulation. This process was also observed to synchronize the growth of the follicles with the development of the endometrium, and this greatly improved the success of IVF treatments. 

Some healthcare practitioners will use oral contraceptive pills, others will prescribe injections, while others will combine the two. Combining both the oral and injectable medications is quite effective, but approach to use is determined on a case by case basis.

Stimulating the Ovaries

Once the downgrading protocol achieves successful synchronization, the ovaries are then stimulated to begin developing eggs using injectable medications that contain both follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones. In combination, these hormones increase the number of follicles that will develop simultaneously.

IVF relies on having a large number of fully developed follicles as it provides a contingency plan in the event a round of IVF is unsuccessful, or if patients want to use IVF treatment in the future. Unused eggs are usually frozen, unfertilized, for future use.  

Developing Eggs

The developing follicles need to mature fully before retrieval, and so a day or two prior, final hormonal injection is administered to accelerate as well as finalize their development. This injection contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and is commonly referred to as a ‘trigger shot’, which has been proven to be highly successful in providing multiple eggs for retrieval.

Fertilization 

Once the eggs are successfully retrieved they will be fertilized in a controlled lab setting. The sperm that will be used to fertilize the eggs will first be ‘washed’  to remove unwanted matter or sperm that is not viable. The newly formed embryo remains in the lab to mature for about five to seven and then it is implanted in the uterus. 

Uterus Preparation

The day before implantation,  an injection called  granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is administered in order to enable the embryo to successfully implant itself in the uterine wall. The injection is administered either through the skin or as a intrauterine injection. G-CSF injections thicken the endometrium, thus improving the chances of implantation success.

How to Administer an Injection at Home

Injections are not always pleasant. ‘Needle phobia’ is a real phobia suffered by almost two-thirds of the adult population. It makes sense then that IVF injections may make one nervous. The truth is that at the beginning, the injections may make someone nervous but with each subsequent dose, the process tends to get easier to manage. 

If administering your own injections is too much to handle, request someone who is close to you to assist you to do it, or at least be with you as you administer it to yourself. Regardless of who is does the injecting, follow the below process to avoid unnecessary discomfort: 

1. Clean your hands thoroughly before you begin. This prevents contamination or possible infection.
2. Use some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to clean the site you intend to administer the injection.
3. To prepare the injection itself, remove the safety needle cap, and point the needle upward. Tap the syringe gently, and depress the plunger to squirt a small amount of liquid from the tip of the needle. This process eliminates air bubbles.
4. Gently pinch a portion of skin at the injection site. Using firm but even pressure, insert the needle into the skin and release when the needle is fully embedded.
5. Again, using even pressure, depress the plunger until all the medication is emptied from the syringe. 
6. Pull out the needle, and apply pressure on the injection site using an adhesive bandage or some gauze.

If you are particularly sensitive, try using an ice cube to numb the injection site first, then clean it with alcohol. Apply the icecube again when you pull out the needle. This should ideally reduce the pain, and take your mind off of the sensation caused by administering the injection.

IVF Medications FAQs

Do IVF Shots Leave Marks?

No, IVF injections usually do not leave permanent marks, but some people may experience some bruising on the skin around the injection site. It is recommended that you try rotating, switching, or alternating injection sites to manage this.

Do IVF Shots Hurt?

Not particularly, they are relatively painless. Additionally, the needles used are relatively small needles which do not penetrate beyond the skin’s layers. If you do feel pain following an injection, massage the site gently, or use ice as previously recommended. 

Will I Add Weight During IVF Injections?

IVF treatments do not have a history of causing any notable changes in weight. Even though more than 500 rounds of IVF were administered in one study, no particular weight gain was observed.

In Conclusion

IVF injections all contribute to the success of treatment. They are not difficult to administer and can be injected by yourself or by someone you trust.

If you have more questions about IVF treatments, contact Ivy Fertility. All our reproductive health services are tailored to our patients’ needs. Make an appointment at one of our locations to learn more.