IVF Resources

I've had a few questions about what IVF entails.  I've done my best to try and explain the process, but I thought I would share a few resources for those of you that are trying to get a better understanding of an IVF cycle. 

Here is a link to a step by step guide from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology:

ART: Step by Step

I also wanted to share the video and story below.  I don't even remember how I stumbled upon it, but it aired on the Today show on the same day that I had my first meeting with the IVF nurse. I was full of nerves that day so it was such an encouragement to me to know that I'm not the only one going through this.  It also inspired me to start this blog.  I figured if Bobbie Thomas was willing to show her bruised stomach on TV, I could write about my experiences.  

Bobbie Thomas opens up about new round of IVF

As always, let me know if you still have questions. Thanks for reading!  

Another Appointment

This afternoon I had my sonohystogram and abdominal ultrasound.  I was quite nervous about this appointment for both the physical discomfort and I was nervous that my doctor would find something wrong.  Luckily, it went well.  There was some minor discomfort, but the fact that they found nothing wrong made me feel so much better.  My doctor kept telling me that everything looked great.  It was just the news I needed to hear after a rough couple of days.

My next appointment is on 9/4 and it will be a vaginal ultrasound to make sure that the birth control has worked.  I'm not as nervous about this appointment because I feel like I'm past the testing stage and will be able to proceed with my IVF cycle.  I keep asking when I'll actually start my injections and I can't get a concrete answer.  I think it depends when it's convenient for them to schedule my egg retrieval and embryo transfer. My doctor did confirm that I should expect to be on the injections for 8-12 days.  I'm thinking this will put me at a late September retrieval and transfer, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see. 

Bad Day

I wasn't planning to post until after my appointment tomorrow, but I unexpectedly found out today that I will be switching departments at work.  I am not thrilled about making this transition while injecting myself daily to make my hormones go crazy.  I will not go into more details because this isn't a blog about work, but I will say that I cried in a meeting with my boss.  That is definitely a first for me.  Infertility seems to bring out the most vulnerable side of me. I'm not sure that I like it.  

With that said, I know I'll be fine.  I just know that I'll have to suppress my natural inclination to always be looking ahead.  I'm going to have to learn to take one day at a time for the next couple months.  My husband is much better at this than me so hopefully I can learn a thing or two from him.  

Progress

This IVF thing is starting to become more real now.  I called one of the IVF nurses yesterday to let her know that I had gotten my period.  It's quite unsettling to casually talk on the phone to someone you've never met and describe intimate details of your cycle. I'm honestly kind of squeamish about all of this. I've never had a broken bone or a major medical issue and I've never been comfortable with watching a needle go into a person's skin. Until we started having fertility issues, I couldn't remember the last time I had seen a doctor for something other than a routine annual exam.  

Although all of this is so weird, I'm happy to have a plan.  The nurse scheduled me for a sonohystogram  next week.  It's supposed to give the doctors a view of my uterus so they can make sure everything looks good for pregnancy.  I was told that I could be uncomfortable and have some cramping so I'm really not looking forward to the test.  I think most people are fine, but my husband is coming with me as a precautionary measure.  The plan is to go back to work after the test, but I don't want to have to drive myself all the way back home if it turns out that I'm not feeling well.  

I also scheduled a  screening ultrasound for September 4.  The doctor is looking for cysts and checking the size of my ovaries.  If all looks good, I should be starting my injections the following week.  That's when I'll really feel the effects of IVF.  I'll be getting daily injections, going in to the doctor's office multiple times a week for ultrasounds and blood work, and possibly be feeling kind of miserable as my ovaries literally get bigger to produce lots of eggs. 

I don't think I could do all of this if I wasn't optimistic about this working.  I have been assured by my doctor and the nurse that I'm young, healthy, and my ovaries seem to be functioning very well.  They're starting me on low doses of medications because they expect my ovaries to respond well to the excess hormones.  I also know that the women in my family are really good at getting pregnant and maintaining a pregnancy so I'm really hoping that my body will work the same way.  .  

Welcome

 If you are currently reading this blog, you probably know that my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for nearly a year now.  You probably also know that we have been diagnosed with male factor infertility, as a result of his spinal cord injury.  Our reproductive endocrinologist has advised us to try IVF treatment because she feels it is our best chance to have a baby.  

As of now, there are two purposes of this blog.  First of all, I've always found writing to be therapeutic for me so I'm hoping this blog can be a journal of my progress.  Secondly,  I will  inevitably be asked a lot of questions by interested friends and family and I'm hoping this blog will answer some of those questions.  I fully expect to be oversharing so read as much or as little as you would like. There's a reason that I have only invited women to read this.:)  

I'm trying to keep this first post short, but I will let you know that I will be starting treatment very soon.  I met with an IVF nurse last week and was told that I need to call the office as soon as I start my next period, which should arrive in a few days.  They will put me on birth control pills for about 3 weeks after that and then I will have a screening ultrasound.  Depending on the results of that ultrasound, they will decide when I need to start my drug regimen.  

Thanks for following along with me.  I'm sure I will be sharing more soon.