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.  .