Second appointment for my IVF #2

Days before this appointment, I observed that my period became heavier (it started to be so light). But on the day of my second appointment (D6 of my period), it was reduced to almost spotting. After my TransV, my doctor said that I can start my ovarian stimulation. She prescribed Pergoveris 300 IU for 3 days. Pergoveris injections contain the two active ingredients, follitropin alfa and lutropin alfa. Lutropin alfa is a synthetic version of a natural pituitary hormone called luteinising hormone (LH). Follitropin alfa is a synthetic version of a natural sex hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In the ovaries in women, FSH and LH increase the number of growing follicles and stimulate their development.

After taking my routine blood test for my baseline hormone levels, I went to the basement floor to take my injection. The Filipina nurse was not there. Instead, there was the Indian nurse that I’ve previously met during one of my operations. She insisted on giving the shot because she wanted to show me how to prepare the injection. One box of Pergoveris contains two vials— powder and solvent solution for injection. The powder vial contains 150 IU (equivalent to 11 micrograms) of follitropin alfa and 75 IU (equivalent to 3 micrograms) of lutropin alfa). Since my prescription is 300 IU of follitropin alfa, I need to take 2 boxes of Pergoveris in one shot. The nurse inserted the syringe (with big needle) into the solvent vial and took out the liquid. Then she injected the solvent into the vial of powder. After the powder is dissolved, the solution is taken back into the syringe. She then injected the solution into the second vial of powder (second box of Pergoveris), which completes the 300 IU of follitropin alfa. As soon as the powder is dissolved, the solution is taken back into the syringe. The big needle is then replaced with a finer one and then injected in my tummy below the belly button. I’m glad that the other solvent was spared because it would mean more liquid injected! The drug was a bit painful but it doesn’t linger.