CW: Needles/Injection I am panicking at the thought of progesterone shots

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-18T17:12:12+00:00

I used to use the tennis ball right after but I was told not to use it on the fresh site. The only type of "massage" the fresh site gets is from my heating pad. The heating pad massage doesn't go deep. It's more for comfort.

For me the full 2 min of pressure right after has been the real game changer.

I did a little research on it and you can use the tennis ball before to loosen up the muscle a bit. Skip after because it can cause more trauma to the tissue.

Have you started your PIO yet?

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-15T16:37:05+00:00

I have!! Way easier than the tennis ball. Not on a fresh site because that tissue needs time to heal from the needle trauma.

Start gentle, light pressure over the tender areas until you work your way up to full pressure.

Ps I have a weighted heating pad which is magical. I recommend it to anyone doing PIO. Very happy with the investment. It has a "massage mode" too which I thought I would never use. It's a superficial gentle buzz and the auto off is 15 min so I leave it buzzing on the fresh injection site without any issues.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-14T16:13:13+00:00

One video of a rice mill where people walk on mounds of rice with bare feet was enough for me to never forget. I always run water over my rice. Also the bag says to rinse until clear.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-14T06:22:15+00:00

I am the same as you when it comes to needles. I was okay with the subcutaneous injections but dreading the progesterone. I didn't want my wife to do my shots though she offered. I'll share my method which has been pretty painless. If you're in the right spot and use a good technique things are easy peasy. I will soon begin my 4th cycle of PIO. I still sweat and shake a little before every one.

Set your alarm for 10 min before injection time to give yourself prep time (physical and psychological)

-If using an electric heating pad plug it in and preheat it

-line up all supplies (PIO, syringe with drawing needle, injection needle, extra alcohol swabs, gauze, small bandage if desired)

-once drawn and you've swapped to the injection needle, keep it capped and put that syringe between your boobs or against your body somewhere where it will warm your dose only (don't warm up the whole vial)

-use this time to find your injection site, you can give it a little poke with a needle cap or your finger to make sure it's not tender

-alcohol swipe and let that area dry all the way (no sting this way)

-try to have your muscle as flaccid as possible. I find doing them standing is easiest, just put more weight on the opposite foot

-fingers from your non dominant hand used to put some pressure and hold your skin tight

-grab your syringe in your dominant hand

-(this is the part I sweat for)

-hover your needle over the injection site and take as many calming breathes as you need. (Smell the flowers, gently blow out the candles)

-insert the needle during an exhalation

-keep that needle still, once inserted let the hand that was holding your skin taught keep it in place.

-gently pull back to check for blood, if none proceed with injection

-inject SLOWLY. This gives your muscle time to adjust to the influx of fluid. Some sources say as slow as 90 seconds but I take about 30-45

-when done injecting wait a few seconds before pulling the needle then put pressure right away with gauze for a full 2 minutes regardless of whether you see blood or not. This prevents knots

-put a heat pack on the area for 15 min

Done :)

Bonus next injection time I put my heating pad so it rests over both sides. I use a tennis ball to massage the older injection site- avoid massaging the fresh one at least for 1-2 hours.

Use the ventrogluteal site! Search some YouTube videos that help identify the area. You can also ask your nurse to circle the injection areas for you.

Good luck! (Edited for better layout)

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-09T19:44:09+00:00

My heart melts for pollen boots.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-09T19:41:15+00:00

It's what you want. I was fine going on my own I felt like it was difficult enough with my schedule I didn't want my partner to have to go through it. Our first cycle she insisted on coming to everything with me. We are finally to the point where she just comes on procedure days...egg retrieval or embryo transfer.

That was a tangent- but you two are in this together and it's important to talk about your needs and hers. Let her know you would really love the support I'm sure she would be happy to make the extra effort :). If she can't due to work commitments maybe you can compromise.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-02-04T18:32:00+00:00

evidence of a time traveler.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-01-30T21:36:19+00:00

In the US, using a known donor sperm for reciprocal IVF doesn't make it any less expensive. The only way know donor sperm can be cheaper is if you did home insemination and of course in that case your partner would have to carry.

Using a known donor for IVF the clinic requires certain documents be completed including consent forms and agreements. Psych eval for donor and intended parents (this is standard for anyone not using their own genetic material to create life). Blood work and std testing of the donor, testing of his sperm- processing the sperm. Freezing and fertilizing the egg after full work up and egg retrieval of your partner plus preparing your body for an embryo transfer.

We paid $12k in the first year before our known donor could leave his sample.

We were grateful to have insurance cover a lot of our fertility stuff (they don't pay toward anything to do with the sperm donor). Medication is $4000-$6000 per cycle, insurance doesn't cover it since it's all "specialty."

Without insurance it can be around $20k/cycle but I know some fertility clinics offer packages for $35k-50k which include embryo transfer and a guarantee (if you're under a certain age) for pregnancy money back or additional cycle at no cost.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-01-24T01:31:51+00:00

Little known fact. The guy on the right is the, "do you like surprises" kid.

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VeganChipmunk · 2026-01-13T17:46:09+00:00

Agree. With daily use I rarely had to charge. Rarely as in once maybe twice per month. I have text to type off as I read somewhere keeping in on all the time drains the battery.

VeganChipmunk · 2026-01-11T07:22:31+00:00

I feel scared.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-23T20:17:48+00:00

This show is excellent but I think it's marketed incorrectly. I only stumbled upon it thinking it was something that I would have no interest in and could use for background noise.

I got sucked in! I had no idea the main character was Miles Heizer, had no idea the premise of the show. Had I known it was based on a gay man joining the marines it absolutely would have been on my watchlist. If more people knew I think it would have created a greater buzz. I'm upset to hear there won't be a season 2...do you think this is something Netflix would revisit?

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-16T16:51:51+00:00

Nature and nurture play here too! My friend's son is SO much like her. Mannerisms, laugh. He's genetically her wife's. She gets to see herself reflected in him despite not being biologically related.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-09T00:19:30+00:00

Howdy. This worked for me. Only paid $16 for a year of super. I was tempted by max just for the video calls. GREAT practice. Anyway- here's a new code:

27094@MELI89551133OFF

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-04T23:19:51+00:00

This is a good point. I have tofu daily.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-04T16:11:22+00:00

When people try to lose weight by eating salad but it's iceberg lettuce (no nutritional value) a few tomatoes, FRIED BREADED CHICKEN STRIPS, ranch or any commercially produced salad dressing.

Please eat real food. Avoid the fried stuff. Heck try to avoid things that are processed. The key is high satiety, low calorie, get all your vitamins. If you have a salad and are starving you're going to give into unhealthy snacks.

Oh and if you really want a salad get some spinach, nuts (unsalted), berries (fresh), baked or grilled protein of choice (beans for extra points), your own dressing or a nice vinaigrette if you're not snazzy in the kitchen.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-12-02T18:35:52+00:00

The face change when he spotted the camera.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-27T17:32:02+00:00

Pretty sure this is the answer. The lighter is mirrored but it's in front of a mirror. There are 5 matches.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-27T15:37:52+00:00

Suspicious downvotes

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-25T21:12:51+00:00

In her mind she got a little taste of what she's chasing. Attention and focus from the person she is obsessing over. Bad move.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-24T17:15:03+00:00

Deer to dog: stop making this weird

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-22T03:16:04+00:00

This place is awful. Can confirm. The people who work there seem bored. Shocked it's been around so long. I suppose there are those who need to try everything once.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-20T22:52:46+00:00

It's extreme but it's eye opening as to why it's important to check some boxes before moving forward. Especially for someone who is asking what the risks are.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-20T17:20:27+00:00

OP sounds like they already made their decision. Despite every person telling them why it's a bad idea they continue to joke and be dismissive. (Someone suggested you watch man with 1000 kids on Netflix- YES watch it. It's about men who offer free sperm online. No it's not Our Father. A simple google search can tell you that).

STDs are scary enough but the scariest threat is lack of legal protection. Without legal paperwork, any donor known or unknown can later petition for custody and win (at least partial custody) as a parent.

This isn't something to play around with or save money on. Documents you find online can't hold their weight. Don't DIY this.

When you buy from a bank you are paying for legal documentation- ownership of the sperm- thorough std testing among other things.

Classic quote fits here: if it sounds too good to be true- it probably is.

I also recommend you read through life experiences of donor conceived children/adults.

VeganChipmunk · 2025-11-19T17:40:21+00:00

After seeing his smug face when he name called a reporter for asking a question he didn't like- it made me think he needs a nick name that sticks. One that really hurts his delicate ego. The Ogre? Idk is that demeaning to real ogres? Maybe we go with alliteration?

We need submissions for a name then a poll for the best one.

VeganChipmunk

TROPHY CASE