This sweet pill organizer is the newest addition to my purse! Here's a breakdown of what I'm taking and why.
Doxycycline: I'm taking this antibiotic (as well as my husband) to treat any possible low grade pelvic infections that might exist. We'll only be taking this for 10 days now and then again for a week after the transfer. I've been told to take it with food but not with other medications and not with any dairy. Apparently doxycycline doesn't play well with dairy in stomachs so I've been told not to eat dairy two hours before or after taking it. I decided I'll take it at breakfast and dinner.
Prenatal Vitamins: these are the two large pills in the "noon" boxes and it's pretty obvious why I'm taking them. Prenatals help prevent congenital deformities (such as spina bifida) and help make sure myself and the babies get the proper nutrients. Prenatals can upset an empty tummy so I'm taking them with lunch. I'll continue taking these through the whole pregnancy and as long as I'm lactating.
Aspirin 81 mg (baby aspirin): these are the other little guys hanging out in the "noon" compartment. The point of baby aspirin during this process is the help improve blood flow to the uterus (which I need some help with). There have been some studies done that show a significant increase in success rates with IVF (and even regular pregnancy rates). I believe I stop taking these once I have an ultrasound confirming pregnancy. I chose the take them with the prenatals just because.
Birth Control Pills: Friday will be the last day of these pills. Thankfully I haven't had a ton of side effects from the two months I've been on them. The pills have served two main purposes so far; Number one- making sure I don't get pregnant. Number two- helping to control my body's menstrual cycle so we can know exactly where I'm at. Although, I do have to say that my cycle has seemed more messed up since I started taking them haha. I have been taking them at night before bed so I'll continue taking them then.
Lupron (leuprolide acetate): this is the medicine I will be injecting into my tummy. It's a subcutaneous (the fatty layer under the skin) injection that will be administered with the small insulin needles shown below.
I'll start out administering 10 units every night for two weeks and will then drop down to 5 units every night for two weeks. Lupron's job is to essentially shut down my ovaries and put me in a menapausal type state. I've heard the symptoms are similar to that of menopause with hot flashes, headaches and nausea being common. I'm not too concerned about the shots themselves, since the needles are so small, but I am a little nervous about side effects. Hopefully they aren't too bad for me!
Acupuncture: this week I will begin acupuncture treatment twice a week until the transfer, then directly before and after the transfer. Acupuncture has been quite successful in treating fertility issues by helping to increase blood flow to the pelvic region. ORM has prescribed this for me because they noted a decrease in blood flow to the right side of my uterus during the ultrasound they did. Acupuncture has always fascinated and mystified me. I have no idea how sticking tiny little needles all over your body could help to cure anything but there's no doubt it somehow works. I'm actually pretty excited for it! My first appointment is on Tuesday.
These daily medications will stay the same for the next two weeks (besides stopping birth control after Friday and stopping the doxycycline after 10 days). These first two weeks are probably the easiest since the big scary needles and vaginal suppositories come later! I'm excited that the time has actually come for us to start the Meds and I'm just hoping and praying that my body responds the way it should!
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Days on Prenatal Vitamins: 45
Active Birth Control Pills: 41
Vials of Blood Drawn: 12
Vaginal Exams: 2
SIS: 1
Mock Transfer: 1
Internal Ultrasound: 1
Days on Prenatal Vitamins: 45
Active Birth Control Pills: 41
Vials of Blood Drawn: 12
Vaginal Exams: 2
SIS: 1
Mock Transfer: 1
Internal Ultrasound: 1
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