Kristin:
For 4 months I took Folloistim injections in my stomache. I first had a friend show my husband how to do the shot. I iced the area for about 3 -5 min. streched my skin so it would be flat, heal my breath while he injected me. It wasn't at all what I thought. Very easy! Than I had Pregnyl injection in my right butt cheek. That didn't hurt at all, I'd rather have that then the one in the stomache. Good Luck!!!

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Smelli:
The first cycle my husband had given me the injections. I had lupron small needle in my thigh, did not bother me a bit, then I had Follistim in the tummy...First try I just had to inject in tummy once a day, the second round I had to inject this in my tummy twice a day...Yes it stung but the second time around I was able to give myself the injections!!the IM shots are the toughest to do yourself. Since I have to have them in my hip, my husband does it for me. It does not hurt a bit...Although after having a shot everyday for about 5 days, your hip starts to get a little sore. Luckily, even though you have the bruises, it is nothing compared to going through the retrieval, so I just grin and bear it...It is all worth it in the end and my hope is that in the next few days we will have a positive result.

Lynn UK:
This is my first IVF cycle and I am using an auto injector for my shots and I havent found any problems with them.It so much easier than injecting into your flesh as you just load the gun with the syringe and press it onto your chosen area and push the button and wait for it to click and its all over and done with.I dont think I could live without my auto injector now, its my new best friend Lol.

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Julie:
What are these shots everyone is talking about? I'am nervous as I've ever been but haven't started the process yet. I'm getting more nervous reading everyone's stories.

liz (australia):
My first ivf cycle had to be cancelled, but those injections were very painful, I'd liken it to 100 green ant bites in the same spot, but my husband would start talking about something else to take my mind off it, God bless him. Start my 2nd cycle in November; keep the faith!

Stephanie:
The follistim is what hurts most by far, but you bear it because you want to conceeive a child. It really helped me to have someone else give me the injections while I pinched my skin. I think the stomach definitely hurt less, which was a supprise, and it bruised less (bonus).. Also, if it was going to hurt no matter what, I like it to be injected quickly rather than inject it slowly so it would be over with sooner.

Fiona, UK:
I agree with Steph, below. Think that this is what you have to do if you want to have a baby, then you've just got to do it. It would be lovely to be an ordinary couple who can conceive in the conventional way, but we weren't/aren't and so this is it. I was lucky that my husband is a diabetic and is used to injecting himself 4 times daily. His experience really helped me overcome the dread of 'the stabbing' every night! He coped well with my tears for the last few injections, by then my bum was really sore and there wasn't anywhere fresh to stick the needle. So, I'm afraid it's the old British 'Stiff Upper Lip' and 'lie down and think of England'!!

Marie:
The injections were what scared me when we started our 1st Ivf treatment.While waiting to see a nurse I was reading through a magazine and noticed that you could buy an auto-injecter.Weyhey I thought ,so when I saw the nurse I asked if I could have one ,as it would be less stressful for me and my hubby.As our 1st Ivf attempt was free( NHS as am from UK )she said we might not have to pay for the kit ,well that was great..The nurse showed me how to use the auto-injecter and we were away,its soooooo easy.Although you do have to set up your syringe ,but all it felt like was a sting and it was all over.Ask about one its great and no stress at all....

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JenniferAnne:
"The Shots" were what I feared most when we began our IVF cycle. I really wasn't sure if I could handle it. But it has been much easier that I anticipated. I owe it all to ICE, ICE, ICE, and a wonderful husband who does all of my shots.I ice the area (tummy for the Sub-Q and hip/bottom area for the IM) for 5-10 minutes. I then do something distracting, like scratch my head or rub my face quickly while my husband firmly, but slowly, injects. I know this sounds silly, but the distraction works great. My husband makes sure to keep the needle at a 90 degree angle and dispenses the meds very slowly to help eliminate the stinging.At the end, I have a heating pad waiting for me, which is wonderful. I also have a husbad who says "you were so brave - I'm so proud of you" after every shot, which makes me smile, in spite of it all.

Patricia-Ann:
I had my husband give me them in my stomach. He did as he was taught and I got an ice-cream right after words..LOLThey are never going to feel good but I had someone else do it, and that made it so much easier for me.Good luck all, Positive thoughts to you all.

Mars:
I have been overly fortunate. I was going to try to give myself the injectins, but a panic attack while holding the needle prevented it, so my husband stepped up and took over... and for me, that was all it took to make the shots OK. Just having his support and him being part of the whole situation made everything better for me. My cycle has been extended as it seemed to take a long time to reach the retreival stage (slow growers :-), but we finally did and are now on the progesterone. With my long cycle, I have been getting injections almost nonstop it seems for 8 days shy of two whole months, and I could never have done it or bared it without my husband!

Val:
When you give or get your IM shots in your buttocks, a way to make them a little less painful is to turn your heel out and bend your leg.

Ineavelle:
My husband was supposed to give me the IM Follistim injections. The day that we were to start he was leaving to NY for the weekend. The thought of doing the injections myself made me dizzy and ready to pass out. But then he left, and it was just me, the dog and the follistim. I must have sat there for almost 20 minutes with the syringe. The thought of doing it gave me a giant headache. I was dizzy and sweating. Just the thought of it made me sick. Until I played the video (came from the clinic) that showed how to inject the follistim. I applied ice to a piece of my thigh, pinched about a 3 inch area and looked away and pushed the needle in. I think the worse part is actually having to pull the plunger back to see if you hit a blood vessel and then push the medication into the skin. I did it and it didn't hurt. I didn't bruise either. But just to be on the safe side, I have a heat pad ready after the injection and apply that to the area for a while off and on. Since I usually would do it at night, I would just lay the pad on the area while I watched tv. So, since I was able to do it on Friday, Saturday didn't seem so bad. I only sat there for about 15 minutes, sweated and did it. And I did it again on Sunday. Come Monday, my husband came home from work to give me the injection on my buttock, and although the insertion of the needle did not hurt, the medication going into that area did. My dh has come home to give me the injection every day because he has seen the anxiety that I suffer when I try to give myself the injection. Even though I gave it to myself for three days, once I got used to him doing it I had the worse time doing it myself again. Can I give it to myself? Yes. Do I want to? No. You figure we have to go through all of the injections, the ultrasounds, the bloodwork, the least the dh's can do is give us the injections. Now don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate him doing it and am glad that he is not the squemish type. But if given the choice, even though it actually hurts a little more to get it on the tush, I rather have him give it to me and hurt a little than go through a 1/2 hour of anxiousness with me trying to do it.

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Steph:
I think the trick is to not think about the implications of what you're doing. To think "this is what I need to do if I want to have a baby" only increased my stress level and fears about the process. There are way too many emotions associated with that way of thinking! When I switched my attitude to "just do it!" it helped. This is my second cycle and now it seems like just another routine - like brushing my teeth. For me, the worst part is the anticipation of pain - but they really aren't painful! I do "flick" the area I'm going to inject prior to the injection, which helps a lot. It also helped to not worry about the "quick dart-like jabbing motion." On some nights I would try to get the needle in and it wouldn't go all the day in and I would freak out. Sometimes, I had tried 3-4 different spots before finally getting it injected. And they were all bleeding (what a mess). One day I realized that I can insert the needle slowly and it works just as well - actually it works much better for me. Good luck to all!

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Red:
We were give a handy little spring loaded device that does all the hard work. Press the button and wham..it's done. Still hurts but the mental agro of sticking needles into my own flesh was taken away. Highly recommend it.

Jenifer:
I cover my face with a pillow, and DH gives me a shot in my tummy. He is a diabetic, (insulin dependant) so...needless to say, he's a pro...It's the anticipation of the shot that really freaks me out, but it's so painless and only takes seconds to do...

Nita:
I used to be the most queasy and squimish person and would scream at the sight of a needle. Now I give myself injections twice a day for my IVF cycle (I am on the microdose lupron protocol). I strongly believe that it I can do it ANYONE CAN. Even my husband is surprised. The trick is not to think about it.Prepare the mix and find a "meaty" part on the top-right-upper part of your thigh. Make a three inch pinch and plunge the needle at a 90 degree angle. Just do it without hesitation and without thinking about it. Then release the pinch and slowly push the plunger as you release the pinch. If you push the plunger too fast it will hurt and produce a burning sensation. I recommend you take your time and slowly push the plunger until all the medication is in you. Keep a piece of sterile gauze on your thigh so that you can hold it on the injection site after you pull out the needle. Keep the gauze there for a couple of minutes and make sure the site is not bleeding. I never had that problem and have no pain from injections. I take subcutaneous injections and highly recommend them.I am currently on the seventh day of my second IVF cycle. My estrogen levels were too low at my last blood test. I just read in a letter by another IVFer (posted on this site) that taking abdominal injections increased the absorbtion of medication and her estrogen levels shot up. So tonite and for the rest of the cycle (I hope it does not get cancelled due to low estrogen levels) I will give myself abdominal injections. When I went for injection training, the nurse told us that injections on the abdomen were the least painful even though it seems like they would be the most painful.Good luck my fellow mothers-to-be and keep a positive attitude. Remember, injections are a small price to pay for the joy of having a baby. I don't have any children and I will go to any extent to have at least one...even if it means giving myself injections twice a day.

Linda:
Use EMLA cream - it's prescription based and wonderful! Sad thing is that many nurses don't tell you about it.

carolanne:
I'm on my first ivf treatment and apart from my period not arriving (1 week late!) and plenty of sweats and tears the injections have been a doddle. The clinic supplied an auto-injector which is a definate must have. I inject at night as I'm like a zombie before ten o'clock in the morning, and I'm liable to mess it up. I try and pull the skin really tight (Front thigh)beforehand to try and numb the area a bit. Also, its good to inject just before you have to do something ie TV programm, visitors, etc. As you have to get it over and done with quick, so you have less time to think about it which is the worse part.Goodluck to everyone out there, and even if it does hurt, its not for long and its worth it !!!

Carmie:
I am so glad I found this site. We are on our 2nd round of IVF, and the first round was so scarey to me, I never thought I would be able to try this again. When I first received all my meds, I sat on the couch with all these needles around me and viles and pills and all I did was cry. I myself hate needles and to comprehend that I had to do this to myself was unbelievable. I found that the first time is the worst and not knowing the unexpected is torchure. The second time around they have changed one my meds to follistim and this shot has burned going in, which kinda lasts for minutes which to me seems like a forever. My husband who is giving me these shots every day Iam sure hates the fact that I have to go through all of this, and has been my rock. After every shot session he gives me a little treat, kinda to cheer me up. It doesnt make the stinging go away but it does make me smile. I find the best thing to do is not really think about it at all, allow if possible someone else to draw up the injection and definatly do not look at what is going on, quicker seems to me to be better, and you have to put all your trust in the person giving the injection. Stressing over it does not help the situation at all. I still sometimes cry, but counting down to the resutls keeps me focused. All we can all do is say a little prayer, and wish for blessing for everyone. Good Luck to everyone and keep in mind that you are not alone and the things that you are feeling and going through other people are too. I think reading the postings on this site has helped me alot also. Just knowing that I am not alone. God Bless and Good Luck!!!

Michelle:
Laying in bed, my husband giving me the shots and my 23 month old son holding my hand every day like a ritual. He loved laughing at all of the goofy noises and faces mommy was making. My pain made him laugh -- and THAT reminded me why I was happy to be in pain !

Mary Ann:
The IM injections were the worst for me. To make them more bearable, I avoided watching the prep and looking at the needle. I iced the site 5-10minutes before and minute or two after. I can't over emphasize how much icing helped me! I didn't ice the first week or move around much due to the retrieval. Once I started to ice and move around more naturally it was much, much better. I also bit down on a towel and hummed loudly during the injection. Humming was a great distraction for me but a bit stressful for my DH.

Jackie - Copenhagen:
The injections really aren't all that bad in the butt but tend to sting quite a bit and bruise in the stomach area. I was never able to inject myself, my husband did them all for me. It really is no big deal as you would do anything to have a baby.

Alison:
I had my friend to do mine. I had to have them in the buttock and I am the biggest baby in the world when it comes to needles. In the end we found the best way was for me to be laying on the bed, and I would see how many Allsorts (sweets) I could eat by the time she had finished. Somebody else told me to consentrate on moving your toes around.

Liz:
I was too scared to do my first injection and ended up hyperventilating and in tears so my husband had to do it. The next day I thought 'stop being such a bloody wimp and get on with it, diabetics have to inject themselves every day of their lives'. The needle slipped in like a hot knife through butter and I couldn't feel a thing - could have something to do with a bit of excess round my middle!

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penny:
I never get hurt by injection ive always been strong and if you think they won't hurt they wont its easy to stop them from hurting if you dont think about them they wont hurt its so eay if you try!!!!!

penny:
I never get hurt by injection ive always been strong and if you think they won't hurt they wont its easy to stop them from hurting if you dont think about them they wont hurt its so eay if you try!!!!!

Heidi:
For the subcutaneous injections, I found the thigh more bearable as long as it is injected on the side. But before this, I apply an ice pack on the site to help the numbness.As for the Intra-muscular shots, my dh draws (with the help of my eyeliner pencil, thank you) on my upper buttock to make sure its gets on the correct area. Ice Pack for less than a minute is also helpful.

dawn:
i was very lucky with injections as my sister is rn she gave me some help. if you find that there is seepage after shot try to grab or pinch a small bit of skin and try putting needle in middle, slowly pulling needle out will help with burning sensation, after you have needle out let go of pinch of skin you shouldn't see any seepage. i found that needles in my lower stomach area was easier, i tended not to bruise so eeasily. also if in canada puregon gonal-f and others come with admin kit inside the manufactors of the drug have very good ideas on where and how to do injections. i had to give all injections to myself as i was in different city and by myself. good luck hope this helps.dawn

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Cheryl :
I am fortunate. My husband is a WONDERFUL obstetrician/gynecologist and gives awesome, painless injections! His trick: a swift slap to the injection site immediately before inserting the needle, and inserting the needle with a quick "stab" as opposed to slowly inserting it - them pulling the needle out very quickly and applying pressure and massaging for about 1 minute. IT NEVER HURTS. I've had injections without the "slap", and they were painful. The slap seems to numb the skin surface for a few seconds. It has to be a GOOD slap, though. Good luck to everyone!!!

Carolyn:
I did them myself and as long as I did'nt hesitate they didnt hurt. I just used a quick, firm (but not hard) motion and tried not to think too much about it. When I was too slow, or I thought about it too much, it always hurt. I also found injecting in my stomach was the easiest b/c of the extra fat to be found there!LOL

Laura in California ( ::
My RE actually suggested using a homeopathic gel "Arnica Gel". It DOES work. It helps with bruising and the pain at the injection site. My husband does all my injections and after having so many he and I are still amazed that I have NEVER gotten a bruise. Not even after being on injections for 11 weeks at one time. Honestly....I can't imagine going thru all the injections without it. My friend (the mother of the embryos I'm doing IVF for) also uses this gel for her injections prior to retrieval.....she would tell you the same thing I am...... try it, try it, try it! You can find it at stores where natural foods are sold. My best to all of you with your injections. -())))]--

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Anna MJ:
I gave up on my huspand. He hurt!!! I found that is you turn toward the side you are giving the injection - you can do it yourself just fine. If you spread the skin tightly with one hand and stick the needle in with the other, you do not feel a thing. Of course, looking at it is gross but what isn't really in the entire process. All dignity is lost. I feel like everyone has seen me, well you know. But that is a different story. Good Luck.

Debbie:
I guess I was lucky. I had a Aunt who is a retired nurse,she gave me the shots,while I did just fertility drugs. Then when we moved to IVF, my doctors nurse lived close by and voluntered her service Praise The Lord. We are attempting our 2nd try at IVF tommorrow. I know that the lord has helped with the pain, without a doubt. I rub my hip before the injection. But the subq shot really does burn when the medicne is injected.God has helped with the anxiety, nervousness, and fear. Try him you might find this to be true.I give him praise know matter the outcome. God Bless You All,Debbie

Gerri:
My husband has been wonderful and given my all my shots. God knows I wouldn't be able to do it. But we found that doing it in the upper part of your butt and the faster he jabs it in...the less the pain. Right before each time he does it I remind him to do it really fast.And I also bend the knee on the side he's giving the injection all the way. This really helps b/c they are intramuscular injections and bending the knee relaxes that muscle. Good Luck!

Cherylynn:
When I first saw the stim needle 1 1/2 inches long, I was very nervous. But, my tip is to numb the injection site for a few minutes with an ice pack to numb the area. Aslo, here's a couple small ones: I took a Glade scented candle and smelled it while my husband gave me the injection. Also, if you are standing, try keeping knees slightly bent and point your toes slightly inward.

Lisa:
I was very nervous about this part, but found that icing the area for about 10 minutes was the trick - I never felt a thing and my husband was great at giving the injections. Even the oily progesterone shots did not hurt.

Sue, Australia:
My husband does my injections. The first ones were horrible. After injecting it stung like a hundred ants but the new one I'm on now is fine.I just look the other way and pinch the area on my belly. I found the thighs bruised too much, I looked like a beaten up housewife. My husband makes a joke of it, referring to it as his way of getting back at me for all the horribles things I may have done over the years.

Ana Paula:
I am 7 wks pregnant and still taking the progesterone injections. In the beginning it was all fine, it didn't even hurt. Every night, I spend some time with a very warm cloth over the spot and also let warm water run over it while in the shower. With time, this is not helping. I have the knots and the whole area is compromised, so that the shots now hurt a little. What helps me is to think that it'll be over soon (8 or 9 wks) and the cause is more than noble!!

Carol, Sydney, Australia:
Just a quick one - instead of using the swabs I was given ( which smelled so yucky and like a hospital and reminded me of needles) I used perfume - an alcohol but without the association of the swab smell - good luck. My IVF was successful after 6 tries at age 44 so there's hope if you keep trying.

Amy:
I found that numbing the area, especially for the Follistim, with ice before hand helped immensely. I never felt one needle. Also applying a warm washcloth to the area after took away the sting faster than anything else. For the Follistim injections I also let the syringe set for 5 or 10 minutes after mixing, which seemed to cut down on the stinging. Like Brenda, I have to be in control and gave myself all my injections and instead of doing the quick dart jab, I was much better at inserting the needle slowly.

megan:
I found the follistim SQ hurt because it was mixed w/sterile water I used only 1/2cc instead of 1 cc and drew it up with 1/2 cc of air so when I gave it I followed it with air. This stung alot less.My husband hated giving the IM shots- but he did a great job, my girlfriend is a nurse and her IM shots hurt less because she did it quick without warning and talked to me about other things the whole timeGood luck to all

megan:
I found the follistim SQ hurt because it was mixed w/sterile water I used only 1/2cc instead of 1 cc and drew it up with 1/2 cc of air so when I gave it I followed it with air. This stung alot less.My husband hated giving the IM shots- but he did a great job, my girlfriend is a nurse and her IM shots hurt less because she did it quick without warning and talked to me about other things the whole timeGood luck to all

CarolAnne:
I did the subq ones in the stomach, it hurts and bruises much less there.The progesterone injections (the ones that are thick and oily) are much better if you walk around with them in our hand (or in my case your bra) for 10 or 15 minutes before you inject - once they are up to body temp, they seem to thin a little bit.

Asha:
I didn't think I'd get through this with all the poking and prodding that I heard about, much less the injections. But the two week wait is probably the worst part of this for me. I was lucky to have some immunization nurses at work guide me through the IM injections. Here's what helped: Get the injections in your hip while you are standing up. Stand with your feet shoulder length apart and turn your turns in (this relaxes your muscles). Bend over and rest your arms and hands on a table that is above your waist but belo your breast line. All this helps relax your muscle to the best it can be which makes things less painful. Tell your partner applying the injection to pinch the area when putting the needle in, this helps alleviate some of the pain also. Also, your partner can practice on an orange before he starts to practice on you. GOOD LUCK!!!

Teri:
Before I started the injections a friend of mine sent me her EMLA cream..It is a prescription and your R.E. can prescribe it..You rub this on your shot site 45 minutes before the shot - cover it with a plastic gauze (so it is not absorbed) and tape it and wait - 45 minutes later your husband gives the shot and you feel nothing - I have to use 1 1/2 inch needles and I feel nothing..I take Estridial Valerate every tues and fri in the muscle in my behind/hip and Progesterone every night in my behind/hip for 12 weeks (if the transfer is successful) You won't be sorry - it saved my life !!!! Good Luck

Rosemary:
The first cycle was the worst. I cried and basically mentally tortured myself for about half an hour the first night, 45 minutes the 2nd, and then after panicking for an hour on the 3rd night I started having my husband do it. That helped with the mental anguish but even though Repronex is approved for sub-Q I would have really painful bruises that lasted for days each. That cycle was cancelled and when we started again we used I-M and though I didn't believe it when they told me, I found it to be true that it hurt much less, both during and afterwards. There was no bruising and it was good to lay down on the bed where I was relaxed and couldn't see it coming. One thing I did that helped was to have a shot of tequila right before to relax me, but now I think maybe that wasn't such a good idea. I figured you're not supposed to drink when you're pregnant but before doesn't count, but I may have been wrong so you may not want to try it yourself.

Laura:
Luckily my clinic supplies an auto-injecter (i'm in the UK) which made things a lot easier anyway. My husband would sneak off & prepare it all as I found that part really hard. He'd call me when it was ready and inject it quickly in the top, front of my thigh. Not particularly pleasant but really much easier than I ever thought it would be.

Suzanne:
My husband did the injections the whole time. This second time we had a routine that I would sit in front of the TV and make sure I was engrossed in the programme. my husband would put on the kettle, and then I would grab a piece of my belly and squeeze it tight so that i did not feel the needle go in. John was then careful to inject slowly slowly so that I felt very little. I would watch Tv all the time. As soon as it was over he would return to the kettle and bring back a mug of tea to me. The whole routine seemed to work quite well. I am quite happy that they were in my belly rather than my thigh. It seemed so much easier. I am terrified of needles - and every blood test they would have all on to get blood out of me as my veins disappeared. So if I can do it, there is hope for all!!!

Ali:
The first time I had to give myself the IM injection, I cried for 10 minutes BEFOREHAND! Then, probably because I was so tense, it hurt my thigh so much I could hardly walk. I had my dh do the next injection, in the back-hip, and I hardly even felt it! I did all the rest of my injections that way, even when I did them myself, and found it much less painful.

Donna:
My husband and I found that as he was giving me the injections if he slowly withdrew the needle as he was injecting it helped decrease the amount of knotting and soreness that I was experiencing with the injections.

nina:
My husband gave me all my injections, I was not able to do it all by myself, I was so scared. I always closed my eyes and sang during the injections, by doing that i felt much better and less pain.

Valerie:
I am now doing my second IVF/ICSI, and both times I have had to give myself some of the IM injections. I was also terrified at the begining, but they really do not hurt. My big tip is to not look at the needle! Even after many shots, when I look at that long needle it makes me feel kind of queasy. But if you just push it in quickly it is no more painful than the little sub-cutaneous lupron shots. If I can do it then anyone can.

Mel:
The injections were one of the things I feared the most with IVF. Positive thoughts - knowing that every little injection gets you a step closer to a ++ result. Take a deep breath in & let it out as the needle goes in. M.

Brenda:
One of the first things that I learned about IVF is that I would have to do injections. The thought of doing injections really terrified me. I had always changed the channel when they were showing invasive medical things on television. How could I handle day after day of injections?? But what sounded even worse in my mind was someone else poking me with a needle. I needed to have control!! I decided to desensitize myself to injections by watching the teaching video over and over again. I pretended to do the motion of giving myself the needle while the video was playing. When the day of my first injection arrived, I headed up to the clinic so I could do my first injection there. I was nervous and my dh came with me just in case I couldn't complete the task. Luckily my favorite nurse was there to guide me through the process and amazingly enough I was able to give myself the injection. I had a terrible stress-related headache afterwards, but I was pretty proud of myself. One of the best tips I got was to tell yourself "How much do I want this baby?" right before inserting the needle. I knew that the saying would always motivate me to complete the injection, because it would be so worth it, if it worked.

Read past surveys:
How did you get through the 2 week wait? (Jan 2000)
How do you cope with the holidays? (Dec 1999)
What was your IVF transfer like? (Nov 1999)
What was your IVF retrieval like? (Nov 1999)