Tips For Staying Organized During IVF

IVF is overwhelming for so many reasons. Financially. Physically. Emotionally. On top of everything you’re going through, the simple task of staying organized can add to the stress of it all.

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Many of you know I went through IVF four years ago after struggling with unexplained infertility. Now that we’re going through round two of IVF, I figured it was a good time to share my tips and tricks for staying organized throughout the chaos. These tips helped me create a sense of control in a chaotic situation. I hope these help you during your journey!

Be Realistic With Your Schedule

The reality is: you may need to first take a look at your schedule and see if there are any commitments that you can take a break from. This may or may not be necessary. It’s going to depend on your IVF cycle, how many medications are involved, how many appointments are required, and also how you are feeling during the whole journey.

In my experience: for a FRESH cycle, where you are going through stimulation, retrieval, and then a transfer – lighten your load as much as possible.

You don’t want your schedule to be so packed that there is no room for rest, or recovery if you have an unanticipated migraine [like I do every cycle]. 

If you are going through a frozen transfer cycle – you may not be as busy with appointments, you may not be taking as much medications & so there may not be quite as much stress. Obviously these are all just hypothetical.

First: evaluate the calendar and make more ROOM for REST and minimize the stress of being overcommitted if at all possible.

After that, I highly suggest considering these TOP TIPS for staying organized: sync your calendar with your spouse!

Create A Fertility Binder

Create a folder or BINDER that is JUST for fertility stuff. Put everything in there: medication protocol calendars in here, appointment schedules, special instructions, educational handouts, receipts, and medication inserts.

You want to keep anything that you may want to refer to later on. This makes it easy to keep everything together and bring it with you to your appointments.

If possible, try to schedule appointments during a consistent time window or even day[s] of the week. I found this VERY helpful in balancing my work schedule.

My fresh cycle required appointments every other day for a while. I was able to keep them scheduled between 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. each day which allowed the rest of my day to stay predictable.

As I’m going through my frozen cycle with a lot fewer appointments to schedule. I’m still finding it helpful to keep my appointments on Tuesday mornings – so that my work schedule can be adjusted, and my husband knows when I need him to take the reigns for getting our toddler ready for the day. Tuesdays are my appointment days – it’s clear – and everyone else can adjust too.

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Organize Your Medication

During my first fresh IVF cycle, there were so many medications. So. Many. The pharmacy I used sent all medications I would need for the entire time – all upfront. There was no refill process, it just all came at once. Looking back, I’m glad they did that. I had all that I needed from the beginning. But it was a lot of stuff.

I’m a retired nurse. So this is a familiar world for me. But, I can imagine how much of an adjustment it might be for someone that is not in the medical field.

It can be a lot.

Ask your clinic questions, don’t be shy, and seek out any educational opportunities they offer.

FRESH IVF Cycle Organization

• Target Box : It was like a grasscloth decorative box
• Mason jar for syringes

FROZEN IVF Cycle Organization

• Amazon Pill Box for supplements : for three times daily Estrogen and supplements.
• Plastic Container from Amazon : for progesterone vials, syringes, alcohol swabs, etc.

Sundays are ORGANIZING days

You probably already do this in your normal life. I know we do. But I bring the IVF plans into Sunday too.

1. I look at any appointments ahead. I talk to Loren about what’s coming up – if I need him to do any pre-school drop-offs/pick-ups – and that sort of thing. This is also good because if you have an appointment with your doctor – it’s good to get your questions prepared ahead of time – give your brain a second to think without feeling rushed.
2. I organize all my medications for the whole week — I filmed an IG REEL on this if you want to see it in action. Then, I look at my supply of meds, syringes, and needles. I keep 2 weeks’ worth in my little injection organizer and the DECREASED CLUTTER makes my heart so happy. I make sure all is good for the week – when I’m running low on my stock – I know to request refills well in advance. Finally, I divide out my medication by day and AM, NOON, PM – for the whole week. My estrogen pill is 3x a day. I cannot be trusted to remember if I took it or just thought about taking it. So having it in that little colorful medication organizer is everything for me.
3. The last thing I do for IVF organizing on Sundays – has to do with my calendar again. Now, I’m looking to see if I’ve overcommitted myself or if I’ve allowed space for rest, meditation, and taking it easy. Trust me – this goes against all of my enneagrams 3 ways, but I have learned how crucial it is to carve out the space for rest – especially right now. If I made some scheduling mistakes & need to reschedule or ask for help – I’m thinking of the changes I need to make now.

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Other Helpful Items I Use

I also used little hand warmers for HEAT before and after Progesterone. [this is an oil medication so ICE will thicken it even more / heat will keep it thin & make it easier to inject]

I plan to use hand warmers again this time. It was awesome to be able to tuck it in my yoga pants and be mobile – instead of being attached to a heating pad cord. Keep the heating pad for downtime or nighttime.

For smaller needles, during stimulation in my fresh IVF cycle, I used small ice packs before the injection which helps too.

Logging IVF Medicine & Notes

Download An IVF Digital Tracker

I created a FREE tracker for you girls to download.

When I was first going through IVF there were no trackers and journals like there are now. Etsy is full of them if you want to pay a small shop and get that for yourself.

If not, use this! It’s what I did last time and will use this time around too!

I created a medication log for you to print out – and when you download it – you’ll see I gave you an example of how I used it. You do what works for you! I also created a little daily or weekly sheet you can use to stay organized, write down thoughts and keep a positive mindset!

I hope this helps you!

If so, I would LOVE it if you tagged me on IG @brittanylegette or share it with anyone you think it may help!

Also, if you have suggestions for anything to add to it – I’m always listening!

I’ll share apps and other suggestions in a later blog.

What else do you girls want to read about when it comes to fertility or IVF? Let me know in the comments below! Sending you all my love!!