I realize people are trying to help when they say, "Be patient, relax don't think about it and it will happen" but that unfortunately is not the case for us.
We've been trying to conceive for a year now. After 6 months I made an appointment with my gynecologist since at my age (38) they recommend not waiting to seek help for longer than 6 months after trying.
She sent me for a slew of tests and determined that my FSH levels were a bit high. Not out of the normal range for my age, but a bit elevated and could be causing some issues or be a sign of low ovarian reserve aka I'm running out of good eggs. So off we went to the fertility clinic.
In most cases, fertility challenges are because there is something going wonky on the female side of the equation. The first thing they typically try is a round of ovary stimulating drugs with timed intercourse. I was on 1 round of Clomid in July, 2013 and felt like a balloon had been shoved up inside me and inflated. Not fun at all. I produced several sizable eggs and we did the HCG shot to control the timing of ovulation. We followed the instructions and timing of when to have intercourse, and it obviously didn't work.
In the mean time, Nate was scheduled for a sperm analysis. You'd think this would be one of the first things they do but it takes a few weeks to get in sometimes. Turns out his count is incredibly low, mobility and quality is poor. The chances of us ever conceiving naturally even if I'm in perfect health and have plenty of quality eggs, is 1 in millions.
So we were presented with a choice: Adopt, try IVF or don't have children. We decided to try for IVF.
The benefit is we can still have a child from both of our DNA. All they need is one healthy, normal shaped sperm for every healthy egg. Nate's count is low but he still produced more than enough for what we need. So here we go again.
We're on the calendar for December 2013 transfer. These things take planning and scheduling way ahead of time. A date, and sometimes time specific, calendar was created for us along with a very long list of stimulation drugs. Of course insurance doesn't cover IVF procedures and medicines so we are paying for this out of pocket. I'm very grateful we are in a financial position to be able to afford this. My heart goes out to those who want to try but financially cannot make it happen.
The drugs scare me. The list is so long and so many injections. Ovaries are typically the size of an almond. With all these stimulation drugs to get me to produce more eggs at once, they can grow to the size of your fist. EACH. How does that fit inside?? Sigh. One day at a time.
I have a starting point blood test and ultrasound on Monday 11/25 then Nate and I both start Doxycycline (antibiotic) twice a day for 10 days, on 11/28. 11/29 is my stimulation day 1 with a morning injection of Follistim and an evening injection of Menopur, one baby aspirin (81mg) and continuing with the antibiotic. We continue this for several days.
On stimulation day 5, 12/3 I have my first blood test and ultrasound after starting the drugs. They'll be looking for how the ovaries are responding, and the dr will tell me if he wants me to increase or decrease the dosage.
2 days later on 12/5, stimulation day 7, I may have another blood test and ultrasound. I'm instructed to bring a 3rd injection drug called Ganirelix which is to help keep the eggs in my ovaries since they'll want to ovulate with so many jammed in there. There may be a 4th injected drug called Lupron and I forget what it does but the dr will tell me if I need it. From Stim day 8 and on, I'll have daily blood tests and ultrasounds to check growth. Once the Dr. determines there is enough they'll schedule the HCG shot to stimulate the body to get ready for ovulation. This is a specific timed drug. They may tell me to wake up and inject at 2 am depending on when my retrieval appointment is because my ovaries with dump everything in 36 hours regardless.
Wednesday 12/11, stimulation day 13 is the possible retrieval day. I will be knocked out. They go in vaginally with a thin needle to suck out all the follicles. I may have to start yet another drug called Medrol, which is a low dose steroid to help my body not reject the eggs once they're implanted back inside.
On the day of retrieval they'll get a fresh batch from Nate and go to work in the lab. They will fertilize as many eggs with as many healthy good sperm as they can then watch them grow.
I can stop the stimulation drugs, but have to take the steroid and oral and vaginal hormones to help support the healthy environment for the fertilized eggs once they are back in my body.
Post retrieval day 3 or day 5 may be when they transfer them back in. It really depends on how many grow and how fast. They'll choose 2-4 best ones and freeze the rest. Again the number depends on the day they go in, how well they've grown etc. Then, we go home and think happy thoughts.
Post day 14, which will be 12/25 if everything lines up, is the time for the pregnancy test. Of course that is Christmas day so not sure the labs will be open but we can go the next day for sure.
That's enough for now. Lots of information. If my family or friends who are following this have questions feel free to post and I'll answer the best I can. Your prayers and positive thoughts through this process will be much appreciated.
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