Shot Training...

After we completed the ultrasound we were cleared for shot training.  This was the moment I had been waiting for but also dreading at the same time.  There are several different types of shots that are used for infertility.  They have a shot that looks like a pen.  Each vial is loaded into the pen and all you have to do is press the top of it and it releases the medication without you having to see it or mix anything. Of course.... I didn't get that kind!

I have actual vials of medication that I need to mix with the dissolvant.  There are different needles for mixing and administering.  We practice with sample bottles and needles probably 10 times until we learn exactly how to mix the solution.  All the steps:

1. Wash your hands
2. Remove 1 vial of dissolvant and one (or more depending on your Dr's orders) vial of Follicle Stimulating Hormone ("FSH")
3. Take out one 22 gauge needle or Q-Cap (for mixing the medications), one syringe, one 30 gauge needle (for administering), two alcohol wipes and your disinfectant wipes.
4. Clean your surface and take the safety caps off 
5. Clean the tops of each vial with a different corner of the alcohol wipe
6. Open all of your supplies while your vials dry
7. Place the Q-Cap or 22 gauge needle on the syringe and twist until you hear it tighten
8. Draw 1 ml of air into the syringe
9. Place the Q-Cap into the vial of dissolvant and push the air into the vial
10. Turn the vial upside down and draw out more solution than necessary push the syringe back up  to ensure you only get 1 ml of solution
11. Remove syringe from the solution bottle and place it in the vial containing the FSH powder
12. Inject all the solution into the FSH vial 
13. Swirl the vial on the counter for roughly 60 seconds top to mix the solution with the FSH powder
14. Draw out all of the solution plus some air into the syringe and switch your needle to the 30 gauge administering needle
15. Flick our any bubbles from the syringe, remove the cap, pull down on the plunger to get any excess liquid that got flicked up into the top of the needle and then push all of the medication up until a small drop comes out the top.
16. Flick the drop off and recap
17. Clean your stomach with an alcohol wipe where administering the injection
18. Gather the skin
19. Remove the cap and shoot

Of course they do not have you inject yourself while in training so they let you inject a fake tummy.  I told the nurse that I was known for fainting but she reassured me that they have never had anyone faint from their injections.  Time to pick up our medication....

1 month supply of needles, and medication = 

Approximately $2,000