Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues with insurance, I didn’t start my IVIG infusions to treat my fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) until I was 24 weeks into my second pregnancy, well past the recommend time to start, which is around 12-14 weeks.
Because of this, I was left with the only option of driving 45 minutes across town to a hospital to receive my first infusion.
This was unknown territory for me, as it was my first time undergoing IVIG. When I was on my way to the hospital, my high risk OBGYN called me to tell me the results of the FNAIT test. I in fact did test positive for FNAIT, and he was so happy that I was in the car and on my way to do my IVIG infusion. He also prepared me by letting me know these infusions would need to happen on a weekly basis to keep my unborn baby healthy and strong.
However, what I thought would be a quick trip to the hospital proved to be a much longer stay than anticipated.
Learn more about FNAIT treatment and care
IVIG infusion time
IVIG is a thicker substance than most IV fluids, and because of this, infusions can take a much longer time. Mine took anywhere from five to 10 hours to be fully completed. Depending on your weight, the infusions could take longer.
My first and second IVIG infusions were done in the hospital, and it was incredibly difficult to be away from my toddler and husband for so long. Thankfully, the rest of my weekly infusions were able to happen at my own home with an in-home nurse.
Very quickly, I found a routine to help me during the long eight hours of having to be hooked up to an IV. I made sure each time before starting my IV that I had gone to the bathroom, had a full water bottle, snacks, my Kindle and a comfy spot on my couch to watch my shows. I was lucky in the sense that during this time, my husband was home due to the pandemic and was able to be with our two year old daughter.
What to expect in the days following an IVIG infusion
In my personal experience with IVIG, I found that starting my infusions mid-morning or
early afternoon worked best for my situation. By the time they were finished, it was already time to put my toddler to bed, and if I was feeling exhausted, I could also go to bed shortly after.
My infusions usually left me feeling fatigued for around two to three days. The fatigue was the worst around day three. Some weeks, the fatigue was almost too intense to handle and left me on the couch for hours watching movies and shows with my toddler. In a society where we as moms feel like we need to do everything, it was stressful and difficult at times to make myself rest when feeling so fatigued.
The side-effects of IVIG infusions, of course, can vary from person to person. IVIG infusions and the fatigue experienced from them can be overwhelming, but I can also promise you that they don’t last forever. I’ll never forget how much more energy I had postpartum, even while waking up every two to three hours to feed a newborn! Remember to be gentle with yourself and that your body is working on overdrive to receive these IVIG infusions.
