The Unfiltered Daily Reality of IVF
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You probably hear a lot about IVF, but not a lot about what the daily reality actually looks like. So here's mine.
I had heard the stories about the needles, the hormones, the emotional rollercoaster. I thought the hardest part would be the physical side of things, the injections and the discomfort. And yes, the evening shots are no joke. Multiple injections, some of them burn, and by the end of the day I'm tired and sore.
But what I didn't expect was how much this process would ask me to slow down and actually listen to my body.
For someone who spent 15 years fighting through chronic illness, from Lyme to mold to autoimmunity to Lipedema, I've gotten used to pushing through. But IVF doesn't let you do that. It asks you to pause, to rest, to trust the process. And that's been one of the most humbling parts of this journey.
Interestingly, it has been super rainy here in LA during this entire process, which has automatically slowed me down and put me into a more restorative mood. It's almost like the universe knew to take the sun away and force me to go inward, rest, and just chill.
Here's what my days actually look like right now going through IVF with Dr. Ghadir at HRC Fertility.
“Your eggs today are the best they’re ever going to be. The biological clock is very real”
Morning Shot
My day starts with an injection before coffee, before anything else. I've learned to just get it over with first thing and be consistent with my timing. The morning shot has become routine at this point, but it took a few days to get there. My husband Adam has become surprisingly good at mixing medications and injecting me without leaving bruises, and we've got a system now that works for both of us. Pro tip, ice is EVERYTHING before your injections and really helps make it a touch more comfortable.
Eat Something Nourishing
After the shot, I focus on eating something that feels supportive. My appetite has been completely unpredictable during this process, with some days where I'm not hungry at all and other days where I'm ravenous. But I know nutrition matters right now, so I'm paying attention to what my body is asking for instead of pushing through or skipping meals.
Protein has been the biggest craving, and bone broth soups have become my go-to. They're warming, easy to digest, and packed with collagen and amino acids that support tissue repair and hormone production. I've basically been living off of them, adding organic pasture-raised chicken or making braising stews with grass-fed beef and bone broth.
Eggs have been a staple too because they're high in quality fats and choline for cellular health, and they're easy to prepare when I don't have the energy for much else.
I've also been reaching for fruit, especially berries for antioxidants and winter fruits like pears that feel grounding this time of year. Since its the holidays I have swapped champagne for organic sparkling apple cider when I want to feel festive without the alcohol.
Nothing overly complicated, just real, whole foods that feel nourishing during a process that asks a lot of your body.
Take Prenatals and Hydrate
Prenatals go down with water and electrolytes every morning. Staying hydrated has become a non-negotiable, and I'm drinking more water than I ever have in my life while adding electrolytes to make sure I'm actually absorbing it. My body is working overtime right now and hydration is a big part of supporting that.
My current stack is Vitamin D, DHA, CoQ10, Methylfolate and a Prenatal all recommended by Dr Ghadir.
Labs and Ultrasounds at HRC Fertility
Some days I head to HRC Fertility to see Dr. Ghadir and his team for labs and ultrasounds that track how my body is responding to the medications and how my follicles are developing.
It's wild to watch what's happening in real time because you can actually see the follicles growing on the ultrasound screen. Having a doctor who walks you through every step, explains what he's seeing, and answers every question has made all the difference and puts me at ease each visit. I never feel rushed or dismissed, and I feel like I'm part of the process rather than just a patient being moved through a system.
“If you took three months off to take your vitamins, great. Your body is now ready and it’s in a good state, but it’s not reversing anything. And your eggs then aged another three months. So I do believe in taking supplements to make your body strong. I do believe in taking supplements to slow down the aging of the eggs that you can, but nothing is as good as it is today and nothing will reverse it.”
Go for a Walk
I am really really missing my morning workouts but I know I will be back at the gym before I know it.
Leisurely neighborhood walks have replaced lifting weights for the time being because I need to take it easy during this process with no intense exercise and no heavy lifting. As someone who has always pushed hard physically, learning to slow down has been humbling, but I'm trying to listen. My body is doing a lot right now, and the least I can do is give it space to do its job.
Work & Productivity
One thing I want to be clear about is that IVF doesn't mean your life stops. I've actually been really productive during this process, working on personal projects, catching up on things I've been putting off, and staying engaged with work. The difference is that I'm building in more breaks to rest and listen to my body. Some days I have more energy than others, and I've learned to work with that instead of against it. The process requires a lot from you physically, but it doesn't have to take over your entire life. You just have to be more intentional about pacing yourself.
Acupuncture
I've added acupuncture to support the process and go twice a week. It's become one of the things I look forward to most because it helps with blood flow, stress reduction, and overall hormone balance. Plus, I get to take an hour to just rest and decompress, which has been invaluable. There's research supporting acupuncture during IVF, but for me it's also just a moment to pause, breathe, and let my nervous system settle.
Puppy Snuggles
I've been getting more puppy snuggles than usual, and honestly it's the best medicine. There's something about having my dogs curled up next to me that makes everything feel a little more manageable. They don't care about follicle counts or injection schedules, they just want to be close. That kind of unconditional presence has been exactly what I need right now, and I really feel like they sense something is happening. They've always been my greatest supporters.
Evening Shots
Then come the evening shots, which are honestly the hardest part of the day. I truly dread 7pm, but there's no way to skip or avoid them and I know this process will be over soon.
The morning shot is one injection, but the evening routine is four more. Some of them burn and my stomach is officially a pin cushion. By the end of the day I'm tired and sore and just want it to be over. Thankfully my husband has become a professional injector and I don't have any bruises, just soreness and sensitivity, so I'm grateful for that.
I've learned that icing for a few minutes before the shots is a game changer because it numbs the area just enough to take the edge off. But there's no easy way to get through this part of the day. You just do it because you know why you're doing it.
Sleep
I am prioritizing sleep, as much as I can!
My body is working overtime right now, growing follicles, responding to hormones, and preparing for retrieval. Rest isn't optional during this process because it's part of the protocol. I've stopped feeling guilty about going to bed early or sleeping in when I can because this is what my body needs right now. I think I even went to bed and was asleep by 8pm a few nights in this process.
Final Thoughts
I'm grateful to have Dr. Ghadir and the team at HRC Fertility guiding me through this. Having a doctor I trust who takes the time to explain everything and genuinely cares about the outcome has made all the difference.
This process isn't easy, but it's also not as scary as I thought it would be. The hardest part was making the decision to start, and once I was in it, everything became about one day at a time, one shot at a time, one appointment at a time.
If you're considering IVF or exploring your fertility options, I hope this gives you a realistic picture of what the day to day actually looks like. It's a lot, but it's also manageable. And you're stronger than you think.
If fertility has been on your mind, even just a little, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Ghadir. He's currently accepting new patients at HRC Fertility and one conversation can shift everything.
You can book a consultation here: https://www.havingbabies.com/appointments/
You never know when your life will change course. Mine did after one podcast episode, maybe this blog and my story will help inspire yours.
