Guide to IVF Shots

There are many couples and individuals who struggle to conceive naturally. In order to build their families, they turn to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) which have been effective in enabling people to overcome various reproductive challenges. Without treatments such as IVF some people would never be able to realize their dream of becoming parents. 

In IVF treatments, fertilization is done outside the womb in a carefully controlled lab environment. Eggs are retrieved from a person’s ovaries after the ovaries are stimulated to produce multiple eggs. These are fertilized with sperm that has been prepared ahead of time. The embryo is then inserted directly into the uterus, where pregnancy progresses normally. 

In this article we will be focusing on the process of administering the hormone injections used for ovarian stimulation. We shall also share tips on managing the side effects of injections.  

What Medicines Are Injected in IVF?

IVF injections contain hormones that cause the ovaries to develop multiple eggs to full maturity at one go. Although there are oral medications and vaginal pessaries used for ovarian stimulation, a healthcare professional will prescribe these based on each unique case. 

IVF injections are typically administered at a healthcare facility, but many people prefer to administer the injections at home for a variety of reasons. Before we get into how you can administer these injections yourself, let us talk about what goes on inside the body during ovarian stimulation.

IVF Step-by-Step

Ovulation Delay

The first step is disrupting the natural rhythm of ovulation by delaying it. The purpose of this step is to reduce the chances of ovulation occuring prematurely. This step is known as a down regulation protocol. It has also been observed that downregulation causes the development of the follicles to be in sync with the development of the endometrium. This in turn increases the chances of successful IVF therapy.

Stimulating the Ovaries

After the ovaries and endometrium are successfully synchronized, ovarian stimulation can then begin, and this is what the hormone injections do. The injections contain follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, which together cause a large number of follicles to develop simultaneously.

Whereas both oral pills and hormonal injections can be used to achieve this, the decision regarding which of the two, or combination of the two to use will depend on the prospective parent’s circumstances. 

The reason a large number of mature eggs is vital in IVF is that it provides reserves that patients can use for future treatments, as well as some back up should a round of treatment turn out to be unsuccessful. When eggs are not used, they are typically frozen without being fertilized until they are needed.  

Developing Eggs

Natural ovulation typically develops multiple follicles, but only matures one egg per cycle, and once a single egg matures, the other follicles immediately stop developing. Having stimulated the ovaries to produce multiple follicles, it is essential to ensure that as many of them as possible mature fully.

To ensure that many eggs mature fully, a day or two before the eggs are retrieved, a final hormonal injection containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is administered to accelerate and finalize this development. This injection is also referred to as a ‘trigger shot’, and has been observes to be extremely successful in developing multiple eggs for retrieval.  

Fertilization 

After retrieval, fertilization is done in a controlled lab setting. Sperm typically from a known, or third party donor undergoes a cleansing process that removes any unwanted matter from the semen, as well as sperm that is not viable. After successful fertilization, the embryo is left in the lab for a few more days so that it can begin to mature and then it is implanted in the uterus.

Uterus Preparation

Naturally, the uterine wall develops as the follicles develop in preparation for pregnancy. In order to increase the chances of a successful implantation, an injection called  granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is administered the day before the procedure takes place to thicken the endometrium and enable the embryo to successfully implant itself. There are two ways it is administered, one is through the skin or alternatively, as an intrauterine injection.

How to Administer an Injection at Home

Having understood what is going on on the inside, let us now discuss the injections. It may be of value to know that ‘needle phobia’ is an actual fear of needles that almost two-thirds of the adult population experiences. You are not alone, and it is understandable that IVF injections may make you a bit nervous. Rest assured that as your treatment progresses, the injections are likely to get easier to manage. 

Of course administering your own injections can sometimes be too much to handle, so feel free to ask someone who is close to you to help you administer them. In the least, they can  be with you as you administer it yourself. The below guidelines will help you to manage the process with as little discomfort as possible: 

1. Begin with thoroughly washed hands to avoid contamination or possible infection.
2. Using a cotton ball, clean the injection site with some rubbing alcohol.
3. Remove the safety needle cap from the injection. Pointing the needle upward, lightly tap the syringe, then depress the plunger releasing a small amount of liquid from the tip of the needle, eliminating any air bubbles.
4. Pinch a portion of skin at the injection site. Using even and firm pressure, insert the needle into the skin. Release the skin after the needle is fully inside.
5. Depress the plunger applying even pressure, until the syringe is empty.
6. Carefully pull out the needle, then apply pressure on the injection site using some gauze.

Some people can be particularly sensitive. An ice cube can be used to numb the site before injecting it. Some rubbing alcohol applied to the site before it is injected, and a second application of an icecube after pulling out the needle should take away much of the sting.

In Conclusion

Injections are a part of IVF treatments and they can be administered by yourself or a person you trust. To learn more about IVF and other ART treatments, contact Fertility Associates of Memphis. Our services cater to our patients’ unique needs. Make an appointment with us today.