By Leyla Bilali, Dandi Chief Clinical Officer, BSN, RN (Kindbody Partner, Dandi Fertility)
IVF injections are a walk in the park, said nobody ever! I’ve been a fertility nurse for over a decade, and I can confidently say that across the thousands of patients I’ve cared for, the stress of injections is usually the most consistent pain-point. When I eventually went through my own fertility journey, even though I was technically an expert, I came to understand this stress on a deeper level.
Trypanophobia (the fear of needles in medical settings) is enough to put most people on edge. But there’s also the physical pain of injections and the mental anxiety of not being sure if you’re mixing, preparing and injecting properly. There’s a lot at stake and meds are really expensive, so it’s totally valid to have a fear of messing up.
Dr. Google is readily available, but internet guidance isn’t always sufficient (or even medically-credible). It’s usually one-way information, so patients are unable to ask questions or get direct feedback in the moments they need it most! The old cliche “knowledge is power” couldn’t be more true here. Specifically, personalized and proactive guidance can make all the difference in creating a more comfortable, supported and empowered injection experience.
My Top Tips For a More Comfortable IVF Injection Experience
I’ve helped so many women through their fertility journeys and specifically with their injections – in the clinic, in their homes and even virtually. And now I’ve also cofounded a company (Dandi) focused on all things fertility care and comfort – we’ve partnered with Kindbody in this mission to make fertility care more accessible and simple. So I like to consider myself The Fertility Godmother and share all my experience and knowledge with you. Here are my pro tips for success, and ease, with your IVF injections.
1. Always plan ahead
Preparation leads to confidence and confidence allows for success. IVF can be a long and winding journey – so the more you know up front, the better off you will be. Getting organized and setting up a system for yourself will help to reduce blind spots and surprises. Two specific areas I always coach my patients to focus on in advance of beginning treatment:
- Lifestyle: I get tons of questions ranging from diet to exercise to sexual activity. Knowing what lifestyle changes you might want to make can be really helpful ahead of time. Depending on your clinic, your care team can often provide a lot of this guidance, but if you’re looking for additional personalized support, Dandi offers wonderful (and medically-credible) 45-minute consultations to answer questions about nutrition, supplements, physical restrictions and more.
- Med Prep: IVF treatment usually involves injection protocols with a slew of different meds, various needles and syringes, precision mixing and injecting. The first step is always to watch the video modules your clinic shares with you AHEAD of time and not the day/night of. In fact, when you first get your package of meds, I recommend an unboxing session where you review each individual drug and the apparatus meant to go with it. Live Injection Support via Dandi leading up to the start of your treatment is a great way to get this unboxing session even a walk-through on your first night of injections – or every night if you need it! These sessions are a great way to get 1:1 time with a fertility nurse to make sure you’re fully prepared in advance.
2. Create an IVF support system
Whether it’s a friend, partner, therapist or just somebody in your life that’s a great listener – getting support in place can make all the difference. The journey can be all-consuming and nobody should go through it alone. There are some wonderful fertility communities that foster connection among women going through similar struggles.
Consider other types of self-care too, whether it’s daily walks, meditation, quiet time to journal your emotions, or even taking up a new hobby. Proactively planning activities can be really restorative and also help serve as a healthy distraction from the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment.
3. Numbing before your IVF injection
While my first few tips focus on getting prepared ahead of time, it’s equally important to know all the pro tips for injections themselves. There’s a lot you can do to foster an easier and more comfortable injection experience. create more comfort, simplicity and peace of mind during injections. Tip #1 – numb prior to injecting.
This is where Dandi’s IVF Care Kit comes into play, with a really comfortable belt + redesigned cooling pad that allows for hands-free numbing prior to your injections. 5-10 minutes can make a huge difference, especially for egg-retrieval injections.
4. Know where to inject
Knowing where to inject can also cause unnecessary anxiety. These Shot Targets are a convenient and non-toxic way to help reduce some of the guesswork. Your clinic can apply for the first time and you can reapply over the outline every week or so as needed.
5. Know how to treat progesterone
If you’re preparing for an embryo transfer, you’ll often encounter progesterone injections, otherwise known as PIO (progesterone in oil). It’s that last part – the oil – which is pesky. Because it’s so thick, it can be more uncomfortable to inject and also cause lingering soreness throughout.
But there are some great hacks to note here! First, heat the progesterone vial prior to injecting – this will thin it out and allow for a slightly easier injection. Dandi’s heating pad actually includes a dedicated pocket to heat your vial ahead of time.
And this heating pad is the second hack! Right after your PIO injection, you can use it to heat the injection site, allowing for the oil to spread instead of lumping under the skin. Not only is the PIO better absorbed with heat, but it also alleviates soreness in the area over time. The best thing about the Dandi heating pad is that it’s hands-free – you don’t need to be stationary or plugged in. And to even further prevent discomfort post PIO, you can use the Dandi Kit’s massager to work through the PIO “knots” right after heating. This combo of heat + massage works really well.
6. Heat therapy for ongoing comfort
Your heating pad isn’t just for PIO injections! Some patients have cramping or discomfort for a few days after the egg retrieval procedure. Heat therapy can help to alleviate these symptoms as well. In fact, they typically give you a one-time use heating pad in the recovery room and you can keep this going at home with Dandi’s hands-free heating pad. It clips into a comfy belt and is an easy solution for on-the-go relief, which is a much improved experience than old, clunky heating pads with plugs, wires and outlets.
You’ve Got This!
I know how hard the fertility journey can be – I’ve been there. In creating a comforting ritual around the injection process you’ll not only feel more empowered but you’ll also be set up for success.
At the earliest stages of your journey, take the time to understand and get familiar with the process and what to expect. Getting your support tools in place in advance is key to keeping your peace of mind. Make sure you’re up to snuff on all your meds prior to the first night and be sure to fold in as many pro tips as possible to minimize the discomfort and stress of injections. Dandi is always here to support you – you’re not alone.
