In this episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, Mari Llewellyn opens up about her personal IVF journey and the challenging realities of the process. She candidly shares the daily routines, physical hurdles, and emotional highs and lows involved in IVF treatments, from stinging injections to post-retrieval pain and vulnerability.
Llewellyn reflects on finding support through sharing her experience on social media and the value of transparency during this trying time. With embryo testing and transfers on the horizon, she explores the anticipation and anxiety that come with each pivotal step. The episode provides an authentic look at the struggles of IVF and reminds listeners that vulnerability and strength often go hand-in-hand.
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Mari Llewellyn shares the rigorous daily routine of IVF, involving timed injections, frequent doctor visits, and managing medication supplies with partner Greg's support. She notes the difficulties of self-administering stinging medication like Menopur, and the emotional strain of abstaining from exercise to avoid ovarian torsion.
Post-retrieval, Mari experienced severe pain, swelling, and fluid leakage, making movement difficult. The emotional highs and hope of the injection phase gave way to tearful lows as hormones shifted and recovery prolonged. She grappled with vulnerability and the mental fortitude needed to continue treatments.
Mari found therapeutic benefits in vlogging her journey on TikTok, fostering community support while acknowledging intrusive responses from some. Greg's companionship and church provided positivity during uncertainty. Mari aims to help others through transparent storytelling.
Mari awaits critical next steps - embryo genetic testing and the transfer itself. She voices anxiety over potential failed transfers and family anticipation, coping through hope and deciding not to learn embryo genders to prevent further emotional burden.
1-Page Summary
Mari Llewellyn opens up about her IVF experience, sharing the struggles and daily routines she faced during her fertility treatment on TikTok.
Mari's day-to-day routine throughout her IVF treatment involved performing injections at the same time every day and frequent visits to the doctor's office. She found it stressful to manage these treatments, especially given the need for support, which she received from her partner, Greg. Greg helped with medication dosing and attended almost every appointment with her, a source of stability for Mari during this time.
Early in her journey, Mari confronted a miscommunication about her medication supply, leading to a panic when it appeared she did not have enough [restricted term]. Thankfully, a nurse provided her with samples just before the office closed. To avoid further stress, Mari and Greg established a fixed daily time for injections, making the routine more manageable. Mari preferred to self-inject, allowing her to avoid sore areas and maintain control over the process, often distracting herself by filming TikToks during the injections.
Mari notes the particular sting of the medication Menopur, recommending to let the medication sit for five minutes before injection and to administer it slowly for less discomfort. Greg took on the role of preparing the injections every night, and Mari was at her doctor's office each morning for necessary blood tests.
Mari's IVF cycle coincided with the holidays, a decision she found relaxing due to the slower pace of work, which helped alleviate guilt over potential missed activities. She began her injections on December 27th and took her last one on January 6th. Adding to the routine, she introduced morning shots called Centrotide on January 1st to prevent early ovulation. With precision timing essential, she balanced these injections alongside her other treatments and doctor's visits.
An inventory shortage at their pharmacy triggered a dire situation where obtaining more [restricted term] became critical. After Greg's insistence and a near trip t ...
Mari Llewellyn's IVF Journey and Process
Mari Llewellyn shares the arduous journey of egg retrieval during the IVF process, shedding light on the physical ordeal and emotional rollercoaster that accompanies the procedure.
Five days post-egg retrieval, Mari reveals the severity of the pain and bloating she has endured. She experienced extreme discomfort and an inability to move properly due to swelling. An ultrasound disclosed her ovaries were leaking fluid and blood, causing pain that radiated into her upper body and made walking difficult. Despite the injections being manageable, recovery has been unexpectedly arduous, with more pain than anticipated.
Initially, Mari adjusted to the injections by distracting herself through filming and vlogging, feeling hopeful about the number of eggs before retrieval. The process seemed positive, offering a semblance of control after the confusion of trying to conceive naturally. However, she felt emotionally strained post-retrieval, realizing recovery would take longer than expected. The drop in hormone levels post-procedure added to her emotional challenges, underscoring the isolating and taxing nature of hormonal treatments in IVF.
Mari discusses the psychological intimidation she had to overcome regarding the injectio ...
The Physical and Emotional Challenges of Ivf
Mari Llewellyn has been open about her IVF journey, choosing to take her experience to social media platforms like TikTok, which has in turn fostered a community of support.
Mari has mentioned that vlogging her experience helped her mentally manage the stressful process of self-injection, suggesting that sharing her journey online has therapeutic benefits. She also encourages others going through IVF to ask many questions to understand their treatment, emphasizing the importance of communication.
By being transparent, Mari has not only provided insight into her own experience but has also aided others in navigating their IVF journeys. She's noted the empathy she received from many in her life after sharing her journey, while also acknowledging that some people may not have shown up in the ways she hoped.
Although the specific types of responses from her social circle aren't mentioned in the content provided, the mix of support and perhaps indifference is implied.
Sharing Her IVF Experience Publicly and Receiving Support
As Mari Llewellyn plans for her embryo transfer, she navigates the complex emotions and steps that come with the IVF process.
Mari is currently in a critical phase of her IVF journey, where her embryos are not yet at the stage for genetic testing. She explains that the genetic testing done at her clinic, known as PGT complete, is a significant part of the embryo process. However, she is still waiting to see how many cells are developing and which ones are progressing. The anticipation builds as there is a 60-day wait for genetic results following the egg retrieval, which weighs heavily on her both in its duration and the uncertainty of its outcome.
Mari openly shares her anxiety regarding the embryo transfer, voicing her concern about the stress involved with friends and family knowing the transfer date and the collective anticipation of the results. This anxiety is exacerbated by the knowledge of potential failed transfers and the reality of possibly having to endure multiple IVF cycles. Mari is coping with this stress by trying to manifest a positive outcome and keeping a hopeful mindset despite fears that the first embryo might not stick. She acknowledges the emotional challenge that comes with being realistic about the chances of the first transfer's success.
In an effort to protect her emotional well-being, Mari has decided not to learn the gender of her embryos. She believes that not knowing the gender will reduce the potential emotional burden in the event that the first embryo tra ...
Preparing For and Anticipating the Embryo Transfer
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