<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"    Yes, it&amp;#039;s the 13th. Yes, it&amp;#039;s Friday. No hocus pocus, universe! Welcome to another installment of (in) Fertility Friday Five! Let&amp;#039;s get to it... Redbook Reader, Stephanie, and her husband just found out they will be entering the world of IVF. So she has some questions--I&amp;#039;ve got some answers. I encourage you as readers to offer your suggestions as well! 1. Did you have a hard time deciding to go for IVF the first time? We took about 2 days to process all the information our RE gave us, once the recommendation was made that we move to IVF with ICSI. I was &amp;quot;for it&amp;quot; as soon as he gave us the option--I just wanted the best tool to help us become parents. It took Mook a bit longer, but once he made sure I was OK with it, we were off and running. But yes, it was hard in a few ways: emotionally and financially! We just made a commitment to take care of each other other and communicate OFTEN.  2. How did you cope with being told that there isn&amp;#039;t anything wrong with you but you are having to undergo the vast majority of the poking, prodding, drugs, etc for IVF? I have always done my best to treat our male factor diagnosis as OURS. Part of that, is making sure Mook understands that I have no problem getting the shots, ultrasounds, etc. as long as he is a part of the process. For example, he is my mixologist! He takes care of all the mixing of the medicine, getting the needles ready, and making sure I have taken all of my pills. I honestly rarely think about there not being a medical reason I couldn&amp;#039;t get pregnant, because at the end of the day, it takes two! 3. How did you choose which doctor to do IVF with? We were given a recommendation from my OBGYN. I went prepared with a list of questions, and I came out with great answers and a feeling of security. Before going to that initial meeting, I had very specific things I was looking for--and thank goodness, they met my needs! Depending on where you live, I know there can be lots of options--or very few. So be sure you have those questions ready, and use your gut--make sure you don&amp;#039;t feel rushed, or like a number. I demand personal attention--with all the pressure that this journey puts you under, you deserve a doctor and staff that will take care of you! 4. Did Mook feel guilty and if so how did you ease that guilt for him? Yes, this was probably the hardest part for us at the beginning. He took the news very hard, and it took a lot of talking, counseling and time to deal with the diagnosis. It still hits him at different times--especially when a cycle is not successful. I just offer continuous love and support--the counseling has really helped us know what to say, and when. 5. How bad is it really - the shots, side effects, what did you find about increased risk of cancer later in life? Personally, I do not have a fear of needles--so the shots have never bothered me. They don&amp;#039;t sting bad at all--only downside for me, is the small bruises on my belly! But they go away! The side effects for me are the up and down mood swings--we knew to be prepared for that, so it made it a bit easier to deal with--well, in my opinion--you may need to get Mook&amp;#039;s opinion! I have to be very honest: the risk of cancer later in life does concern me, for sure; however--the desire for a child is so great that I&amp;#039;m willing to take that risk. I have to hope and pray that my body is strong enough and willing to hang tough with me!  Happy Friday! I am laying low for the next few days--waiting for news on when our transfer will be: either Saturday or Monday. Thinking good thoughts for our 9 embryos! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/body/pregnancy-fertility/a3650/friday-five-61308/>