Ok, let's talk progesterone in oil. You made it to the #PIOshot part of the journey, which is exciting (stick baby, stick!) but also DAUNTING, as that needle is much bigger than those used for stim medications.

I am here to tell you that they are do-able. This is coming from someone who always hated needles, blood and anything medical. Ask my high school friends - while they discussed episodes of Grey's Anatomy at the lunch table I squirmed and begged them to change the subject. Now I like to think of myself as a seasoned injection champ. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing?! I guess that's infertility life. 

I still get uneasy prior to each injection (it's not natural to poke yourself with a sharp needle! ha) but you do what you gotta do. And YOU can do this! 

Here are my top tips:

#1 Ice the injection site 15 min prior (shop our cute ice pack). I've found the longer you ice the less sting.

#2 While icing, draw up the medication. Once you have everything set, warm up the syringe in your hand or you can place on a heating pad. (I find that warming between hands works fine.) This helps make the injection a little easier as the medication isn't as thick when warm. 

#3 If you have a partner helping you then great! You can stand up or lay down, whichever is most comfortable. I prefer that they count to 3 and then do the injection so I know when it's coming. I don't want to tense up in anticipation! It's best if they inject with a swift dart-like motion.

#4 If you're injecting yourself, stand in front of a mirror so you can see what you're doing, take a deep breath and inject at a slight downward angle. Sounds scary but a dart-like motion is best. I find it's less painful if you just go for it. Also, I try not look at the whole needle so I don't freak myself out. Focus your eyes on where you want to inject and GO FOR IT! You can do it! 

#5 Massage out the area for a few minutes to avoid knots. I have a Theragun which is awesome (I haven't had any knots yet!) but any massager would work great. Or get your partner to give you a good rub-down!

#6 Applying heat also helps with avoiding knots and reduces pain. Honestly, I've skipped this step if I'm in a rush and it's been fine. I think massaging out the injection site really does the trick

THERE, YOU DID IT! I promise it gets easier the more you do them. The first one I gave myself I was so nervous and sweating (check my Instagram reels for a good laugh). Let me know how they go!

xx

Juliette

Hi and welcome to Devon Hill!

It's been one year since I've joined the infertility community and although it's been a difficult path, I have been fortunate to have met so many inspiring women along the way. As everyone says, worst club, best members.

After several rounds of IVF, I now understand the silent struggle so many women go through in dealing with infertility. From the outside we appear to be "fine", and many of us put on a brave and stoic face but each day is a challenge. We've fought so hard, faced numerous injections, medications that alter your sanity, countless appointments, setback after setback, all in pursuit of meeting that rainbow baby. It's exhausting physically and mentally. 

This community deserves a little love and pampering after all we've been though. We hope to provide that extra bit of strength to encourage you to keep fighting in the moments when you feel defeated. We are rooting for all of you!

Here are a few tips that help get me through each day.

- Yoga has been my favorite escape! Focusing on moving my body helps turn off my brain from the constant stress and anxiety of IVF.

- Making a point to indulge in the Ourika body oil after showering - the scents are amazing and the oil sinks right into your skin. It's a mini spa experience!

- I've switched to drinking warm water. TCM believes that you need a warm womb in order to conceive! The theory is that the body struggles to break down cold food/drinks, and then has difficulty generating qi (energy) and blood. Homemade lemon, ginger, honey tea is my fav.

xo