IUI #3

Well, it's done! I have been sperminated.  We had to drive up to Seattle for the procedure since the satellite clinic in Tacoma isn't open on the weekends. It was a beautiful day though and we were able to have lunch on Lake Union, in the harbor, while they were doing the semen washing.

Mike was a rock star again---completely blowing the normal ranges out of the water. His count was lower than the previous two IUIs but still very good. I joked with him and said that his count last month was super high because of all the fortification from the English beer.

I had some cramping and spotting last night but nothing too terrible. Today my right side is definitely feeling twinges and fullness so I know I must be O'ing today. So begins the two week wait. I hope it goes by quickly for me and all of you as well.

On the drive home yesterday I was talking to Mike about how last summer the doctors told us he might have a motility problem and how upset I was thinking that we'd have to do IUI to get pregnant. I never thought we'd be where we are now.  A year ago the idea of needing medical help to conceive was unfathomable and now look at us! IUI #3 done and moving onto surgery and IVF. For anyone at the beginning of your infertility journey, my suggestion to you is to keep an open mind about treatments. Never say, "I'll never do that" because you won't really know the decision you'll make until you're ready to cross that bridge. I still can't believe that we are going to need the help of IVF to grow our family or that we even had to make a decision like this!

Yesterday we bought Seattle Sounders vs Man UTD tickets for the 20th. Super excited as I've never been to a professional football/soccer game and after seeing all the crazed football fans in London we can't wait! The girl I bought the tickets from is an Army wife as well. A new Army Wife. Class of 2010 and almost halfway through her pregnancy.  The thoughts running through my head weren't so nice and I'm pretty sure I'd get in a hellofalot of trouble for throat punching a pregnant lady, right?  Infertility is so unfair.

Spermination.

Well, there's been a change in plans. Our first IUI is tomorrow!
M went with me to my follie check this morning. We fully intended to go in there, voice our concerns, and demand more testing.  It didn't quite happen that way. I got to see Dr. C. today--he's the head of REI and I haven't seen him since my hysteroscopy, coincidentally, the last time I brought M to an appointment. Hmm.... Dr. C. said our prognosis is good and that he's confident I will be able to get pregnant, it's just a matter of time, seeing what works, etc.  I'm "relatively young" compared to most of his patients (Grrr......) so he's not quite ready to start us on more aggressive treatments.

I love Dr. C.  He's a civilian and, unlike the Army doctors, he always takes the time to explain things to me. I have two follies this month-- 17mm and 19mm. This was my best Clomid cycle so far and Dr. C. said it would be a great cycle to add in IUI.  Originally M and I decided that we'd wait until June to start IUI, mostly because we're saving for our trip to England next month. Dr. C will only let me do six cycles of Clomid before putting me on different drugs, which Tricare does not cover, so we decided to make the most out of this cycle and go ahead with IUI.  Even though we have to pay out of pocket for the IUI procedure it will still be less costly than having to pay for IF meds in the future.

 The nurse gave me a trigger shot (a syringe of HCG-the pregnancy hormone) this morning that will make me ovulate within 24-36 hours and we will go to Seattle Reproductive Medicine tomorrow for the IUI procedure tomorrow morning.  I think I might POAS in the morning, just so I can see what a + pregnancy tests look like.
I can't wait to hear how M explained to his 1SG why he needs half a day off. I wonder how that conversation went--ha ha!

So, we're pretty excited. By adding IUI our chances will increase to about 10%, which is the same as a normal, healthy couple. In the words of Han Solo, "Never tell me the odds....." =)  It feels great to finally be moving forward and doing something proactive but I am scared of how I will feel in two weeks if it doesn't work.  I need to stay positive though, right?
I've joked with M about how we'll explain to our kids where they came from, since they won't be conceived "the old fashioned way."  I wonder what IF patients tell their kids....

Well, for those of you who aren't familiar with the procedure of IUI, here's little video to help you out. Wish us luck tomorrow! <3

 

P.S.  I bruise easier than anyone I've ever met. This is my tummy after this morning's injection with the tiniest needle that I've ever seen.