Well, I have one week down and one week to go in this thing known as the TWW: the two week wait from the IUI until it's time to take a pregnancy test. I went to the clinic this morning for blood work and an ultrasound to check to see how my body responded to the medications and the IUI, as well as checking if my body is baby-ready. I had blood work to check my progesterone level. Around 7 days past ovulation and IUI it should be above 10 on an unmedicated cycle and above 20 on a medicated cycle. Mine was 46!! This is very good news and means that if there is a little embie (fertilized egg) working its way down into my 'lil oven my body is producing enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy. I also had an ultrasound to check to see if there are any corpus luteum cysts, which indicate an egg is released. Well, I had two! So it looks like I released two eggs. They also checked my uterine lining, which should be over 9. Mine was 13.1 which again is really good. The blood work and ultrasound indicate that my oven is ready for a little bun. Let's hope that one (or both) of these two eggies met one of Scott's fantabulous swimmers and starts baking our bun soon!
Just one more week until my beta draw to see if this IUI worked! I am hoping I can make it through this next week without POAS!!
Lilypie Maternity tickers
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Welcome ICLW-ers!
Welcome to all of those participating in May's ICLW and thank you for stopping by my blog.
This past month I heard about the Creighton Model of IF Treatment and am looking for any thoughts or experiences using this. It's a little different, and does not advocate for IUI or IVF but instead uses Natural Family Planning methods combined with hormone and supplement therapy to treat the underlying cause of infertility instead of 'over-riding' it by using IUI and IVF. It is faith-based and definitely not for everyone. But I would love any feedback on this, especially if you've had any experience. My first and so far only post relating to this can be found HERE. If you would rather comment on another post, feel free to find one that looks interesting to you.
I especially like my experience with getting our first order for a semen analysis, my first experience with an IM trigger shot
This past month I heard about the Creighton Model of IF Treatment and am looking for any thoughts or experiences using this. It's a little different, and does not advocate for IUI or IVF but instead uses Natural Family Planning methods combined with hormone and supplement therapy to treat the underlying cause of infertility instead of 'over-riding' it by using IUI and IVF. It is faith-based and definitely not for everyone. But I would love any feedback on this, especially if you've had any experience. My first and so far only post relating to this can be found HERE. If you would rather comment on another post, feel free to find one that looks interesting to you.
I especially like my experience with getting our first order for a semen analysis, my first experience with an IM trigger shot
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Confessions of an Infertile
While going through what we have been through over the past three years I have had times when some pretty crazy thoughts run through my mind. Sometimes they are laughable and sometimes they are sad. I've also said or done some things that are pretty crazy as well. The Catholic in me thinks that if I confess these things, (not in the actual confession booth, but here in the blogosphere) then maybe I can be forgiven. Maybe someone else can say that they have been there with me too. For ICLW week I've decided to share a few. Please feel free to add your own!
Sometimes I have mild panic attacks and play through my head the dreaded possibility that my next get-together with friends may result in one of them announcing a pregnancy. I really hope that by now my close friends and family realize that they are in an "announce at your own risk zone". Maybe I could make a T-shirt for such occasion! I might even make enough money to pay for our next round of treatments. It's not that I won't eventually be happy for this person, but I know I won't be able to predict nor control my initial reaction. So a phone call or a text a day or two ahead of time would be much appreciated.
I've actually POAS within a few days of my HCG trigger shot just to see what a BFP actually looks like, knowing it's just the trigger shot causing the positive test. Hey, I'll take what I can get at this point.
Sometimes I will avoid running in the TWW just because I don't want to bounce my potential bean too much and prevent implantation. Crazy, I know. But I still don't run much in the TWW. Sometimes not at all.
I still drink too much coffee. Two cups a day, and sometimes another half-cup after lunch. I can't seem to completely cut out caffeine from my diet.
When I see a woman with twins, or a former friend or aquaintence on Facebook with twins, I have an overwhelming urge to ask this person the name and number for their RE. I realize that twins actually do occur in nature, in the regular world of pregnancies, and not only with medical intervention. But still, I can't help but wonder.
I actually long for cankles, morning sickness, sleepless nights and swollen body parts.
I am extremely jealous of people who have no idea what a TWW is, what CM is, what POAS means, and IUI, ART, DOR, ICSI, etc., ect.!
When people ask me how things are going with our fertility treatments, I just say "things are going well". I can't bring myself to actually open up any more because I am afraid that if I start talking I won't be able to stop.
I recently had dinner with friends and told two of my girlfriends and one of their husbands that the combination of fertility drugs and supplements has cause me to grow a beard. Now while it isn't an actual beard, I have noticed a few little chin hairs that I NEVER had before. Age? Hormones? Supplements? Who knows. Either way it sucks and I can't believe I actually said this out loud, over a glass of wine before dinner, in front of my friend's husband.
At our last IUI my DH wasn't even there with me and I was actually ok with it. I love him dearly, and he is a wonderful support, but it just didn't work with our schedule. He went to the office first to 'deposit his sample' then came home and went to work. I went back to the office two hours later for the IUI and read some Dracula while waiting out the 30 minutes post-IUI on the table.
I took a picture while lying on the table because DH wasn't there and thought that if this cycle was successful he should at least have a picture of when it happened. It was just a picture of my knees covered with the paper blankie.
Sometimes I don't even shut my office door anymore when I am at work and the RE's office calls with blood work results.
I blame everything on the fertility meds even when I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with the meds. Overate tonight, it's the meds. Face breaking out, it's the meds. Crabby at work or at my husband, tired, happy, insomnia, bloated, it's the meds.
I actually made an Excel chart to determine my estimated HCG levels each day after taking the trigger shot. I did this so that I know when I can start testing and get reliable results.
Sometimes I have mild panic attacks and play through my head the dreaded possibility that my next get-together with friends may result in one of them announcing a pregnancy. I really hope that by now my close friends and family realize that they are in an "announce at your own risk zone". Maybe I could make a T-shirt for such occasion! I might even make enough money to pay for our next round of treatments. It's not that I won't eventually be happy for this person, but I know I won't be able to predict nor control my initial reaction. So a phone call or a text a day or two ahead of time would be much appreciated.
I've actually POAS within a few days of my HCG trigger shot just to see what a BFP actually looks like, knowing it's just the trigger shot causing the positive test. Hey, I'll take what I can get at this point.
Sometimes I will avoid running in the TWW just because I don't want to bounce my potential bean too much and prevent implantation. Crazy, I know. But I still don't run much in the TWW. Sometimes not at all.
I still drink too much coffee. Two cups a day, and sometimes another half-cup after lunch. I can't seem to completely cut out caffeine from my diet.
When I see a woman with twins, or a former friend or aquaintence on Facebook with twins, I have an overwhelming urge to ask this person the name and number for their RE. I realize that twins actually do occur in nature, in the regular world of pregnancies, and not only with medical intervention. But still, I can't help but wonder.
I actually long for cankles, morning sickness, sleepless nights and swollen body parts.
I am extremely jealous of people who have no idea what a TWW is, what CM is, what POAS means, and IUI, ART, DOR, ICSI, etc., ect.!
When people ask me how things are going with our fertility treatments, I just say "things are going well". I can't bring myself to actually open up any more because I am afraid that if I start talking I won't be able to stop.
I recently had dinner with friends and told two of my girlfriends and one of their husbands that the combination of fertility drugs and supplements has cause me to grow a beard. Now while it isn't an actual beard, I have noticed a few little chin hairs that I NEVER had before. Age? Hormones? Supplements? Who knows. Either way it sucks and I can't believe I actually said this out loud, over a glass of wine before dinner, in front of my friend's husband.
At our last IUI my DH wasn't even there with me and I was actually ok with it. I love him dearly, and he is a wonderful support, but it just didn't work with our schedule. He went to the office first to 'deposit his sample' then came home and went to work. I went back to the office two hours later for the IUI and read some Dracula while waiting out the 30 minutes post-IUI on the table.
I took a picture while lying on the table because DH wasn't there and thought that if this cycle was successful he should at least have a picture of when it happened. It was just a picture of my knees covered with the paper blankie.
Sometimes I don't even shut my office door anymore when I am at work and the RE's office calls with blood work results.
I blame everything on the fertility meds even when I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with the meds. Overate tonight, it's the meds. Face breaking out, it's the meds. Crabby at work or at my husband, tired, happy, insomnia, bloated, it's the meds.
I actually made an Excel chart to determine my estimated HCG levels each day after taking the trigger shot. I did this so that I know when I can start testing and get reliable results.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
PUPO!
Just a quick status update. We had our second IUI this morning! Everything went really well and we are very hopeful for this cycle. I responded very well to the meds and the timing for the IUI was fabulous. So, for now, and for the next 12 to 14 days, I am PUPO.
I am hoping the next two weeks go smoothly and I don't obsess too much over every twinge and possible symptom. I will go back to the clinic next Wednesday for blood work to check progesterone. I am keeping my fingers, toes, and anything else I can cross, crossed!
I am hoping the next two weeks go smoothly and I don't obsess too much over every twinge and possible symptom. I will go back to the clinic next Wednesday for blood work to check progesterone. I am keeping my fingers, toes, and anything else I can cross, crossed!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sorry for the Mess
I am desperately trying to give my blog a facelift, so if you are here and it looks a little messy, I apologize.
Hopefully I will have it all set tonight, but I am a bit of a newbie to blog design.
Wish me luck!
Hopefully I will have it all set tonight, but I am a bit of a newbie to blog design.
Wish me luck!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Ready to Trigger
Well, it's that time again. Time for me to take the trigger shot and get ready for our IUI. I went to the clinic this morning for monitoring: blood work and an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed two good follicles in my right ovary. One is 27mm and the other is 24mm. My lining was great at 9.1 and my E2 is 329! I will take the trigger shot tonight between 9:00 and 10:00. Scott and I will then go back to the clinic Wednesday morning for the IUI.
I am a little nervous about the trigger shot because I am pretty certain I will have to give it to myself. My mother-in-law is out of town, and she gave the the shot last cycle. (Remember the story?) Since she is traveling, I could have my sister-in-law do it, but I really don't think I want to make the trip, it's about an hour round-trip from our house to hers and back. So I will muster up the courage to do it myself.
I am a little nervous about the trigger shot because I am pretty certain I will have to give it to myself. My mother-in-law is out of town, and she gave the the shot last cycle. (Remember the story?) Since she is traveling, I could have my sister-in-law do it, but I really don't think I want to make the trip, it's about an hour round-trip from our house to hers and back. So I will muster up the courage to do it myself.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Creighton NaPro, Why am I just now hearing about this?!
My mother-in-law is becoming notorious for stumbling upon things which lead to amazing discoveries. First she found an ad in the local paper looking for subjects for a trial for infertility. This lead to Scott and I applying and then being accepted to the study in which we are currently participating.
Then last week she sent me an email she found in her SPAM box. It was about Catholic Infertility Treatment, which I thought was an oxymoron. I mean, most all ART is frowned upon by the Catholic Church and I have my own reservations and limits when it comes to treatments.
Well, I read the email from D and was incredibly interested. Did you know that there is a Catholic Infertility Treatment Center in Omaha Nebraska? It's called the Pope Paul VI Institute of Human Reproduction. And there are doctors all over the U.S. (although none in Michigan). There are Creighton Model Practitioners in the area and I've signed up for an introductory session in June. Based on what I have read so far the Creighton Model is an Natural Family Planning method that is also used to treat women's reproductive health and pinpoint fertility issues which allows the doctors to actually treat the issue. With traditional ART the doctors typically stimulate ovulation in the hopes of creating multiple eggs each cycle therefore increasing the chances that one of them will fertilize. Creighton doctors are trained in NaPro technology and look at a biomarkers during a woman's cycle, typically fertile and non-fertile fluid, in conjunction with monitoring hormones throughout her cycle in order to identify and treat various issues. The Creighton Model can treat various reproductive issues including infertility, postpartum depression, luteal phase (progesterone) defects, and other issues. Creighton Model doctors are also exceptionally trained in treating endometriosis, which as it turns out is something I will need.
My ultrasounds at our current RE have been showing a steady "cyst" in my left ovary each month. Each month it is the same size, which is not typical. Cysts usually shrink over a month or two. At our first ultrasound Dr. S said that he thought it could be endometriosis on my left ovary and that he would keep an eye on it. After it showed up again on Monday's ultrasound, I called and scheduled an appointment for a consultation. I had the appointment this afternoon and Dr. S is pretty certain it is indeed the dreaded endo. It has remained less than 20mm in size, but is in every single ultrasound we have done over the past three months. Endometriosis can be the fertility kiss-of-death if not treated. He wants me to schedule a laparocsopic surgery to remove the endo on my ovary and look for any other endo that may be present. He wants to wait until we have completed the study before he performs the surgery. However, if we do not get pregnant while in the study I am pretty sure we will move on to a Creighton/NaPro doctor for further treatments.
This is a rather devastating diagnosis, but I have faith that D sent me the email for a reason. We are just taking this one day at a time.
Then last week she sent me an email she found in her SPAM box. It was about Catholic Infertility Treatment, which I thought was an oxymoron. I mean, most all ART is frowned upon by the Catholic Church and I have my own reservations and limits when it comes to treatments.
Well, I read the email from D and was incredibly interested. Did you know that there is a Catholic Infertility Treatment Center in Omaha Nebraska? It's called the Pope Paul VI Institute of Human Reproduction. And there are doctors all over the U.S. (although none in Michigan). There are Creighton Model Practitioners in the area and I've signed up for an introductory session in June. Based on what I have read so far the Creighton Model is an Natural Family Planning method that is also used to treat women's reproductive health and pinpoint fertility issues which allows the doctors to actually treat the issue. With traditional ART the doctors typically stimulate ovulation in the hopes of creating multiple eggs each cycle therefore increasing the chances that one of them will fertilize. Creighton doctors are trained in NaPro technology and look at a biomarkers during a woman's cycle, typically fertile and non-fertile fluid, in conjunction with monitoring hormones throughout her cycle in order to identify and treat various issues. The Creighton Model can treat various reproductive issues including infertility, postpartum depression, luteal phase (progesterone) defects, and other issues. Creighton Model doctors are also exceptionally trained in treating endometriosis, which as it turns out is something I will need.
My ultrasounds at our current RE have been showing a steady "cyst" in my left ovary each month. Each month it is the same size, which is not typical. Cysts usually shrink over a month or two. At our first ultrasound Dr. S said that he thought it could be endometriosis on my left ovary and that he would keep an eye on it. After it showed up again on Monday's ultrasound, I called and scheduled an appointment for a consultation. I had the appointment this afternoon and Dr. S is pretty certain it is indeed the dreaded endo. It has remained less than 20mm in size, but is in every single ultrasound we have done over the past three months. Endometriosis can be the fertility kiss-of-death if not treated. He wants me to schedule a laparocsopic surgery to remove the endo on my ovary and look for any other endo that may be present. He wants to wait until we have completed the study before he performs the surgery. However, if we do not get pregnant while in the study I am pretty sure we will move on to a Creighton/NaPro doctor for further treatments.
This is a rather devastating diagnosis, but I have faith that D sent me the email for a reason. We are just taking this one day at a time.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Update - Rest Cycle Completed
I woke up very early Saturday morning with horrible cramps; Aunt Flo made her arrival which means that my rest cycle is over and we are moving on to our second cycle with IUI!
I am starting this cycle feeling a little different than usual, almost a little indifferent. Don't get me wrong, I want this cycle to be successful. I want, more than anything, to be pregnant. But I am approaching this cycle knowing that we have done all we can and that this is really in God's hands.
I drove to the clinic this morning for my baseline blood work and ultrasound. Things looked really good and I had 11 antral follicles. I received my medication and will start taking it today. I'll go back to the clinic early next week for another ultrasound and blood work to check my follicle developmente and we will most likely do the IUI sometime next week.
I am starting this cycle feeling a little different than usual, almost a little indifferent. Don't get me wrong, I want this cycle to be successful. I want, more than anything, to be pregnant. But I am approaching this cycle knowing that we have done all we can and that this is really in God's hands.
I drove to the clinic this morning for my baseline blood work and ultrasound. Things looked really good and I had 11 antral follicles. I received my medication and will start taking it today. I'll go back to the clinic early next week for another ultrasound and blood work to check my follicle developmente and we will most likely do the IUI sometime next week.
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