Had my mid-cycle ultrasound today. Wow, the cycles are going by fast. Seems like yesterday I was finding out I wasn't pregnant and here I am trying again already!
The extra Clomid and early dosing schedule sure paid off! There are two mature follicles in each ovary. That's right; four total. Those seem like pretty good odds, one of these babies has to stick! If not, at least I know the meds are working, even if a pregnancy doesn't result...
The IUI is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 2. This will be an experience for sure. It will all be worth it though, someday...
Friday, December 29, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Pregnancy… or the lack thereof - Part 2
Struck out again this month! I'm mostly trying to keep myself busy with Christmas and the holidays to avoid the disappointment. Count your blessings and all that stuff.
So, as Emeril would say, we're kicking it up a notch. I am now on a triple dose of Clomid. I'm taking it earlier in the cycle and I'll still use the trigger shot, progesterone supplements, estrogen patch, and baby aspirin.
The one new thing we might add this cycle (insert scary music here)... The dreaded IUI.
More on that later.
So, as Emeril would say, we're kicking it up a notch. I am now on a triple dose of Clomid. I'm taking it earlier in the cycle and I'll still use the trigger shot, progesterone supplements, estrogen patch, and baby aspirin.
The one new thing we might add this cycle (insert scary music here)... The dreaded IUI.
More on that later.
Friday, December 1, 2006
Gambling
I have never been a gambler. It's just not in my character. When I have money I want to keep it, plain and simple. Well, I gambled tonight...
Do you know how much Progesterone pills cost? Well, let me enlighten you. They are $325. I felt like I had been slapped across the face when I heard that tonight at Walgreen's. Now, don't get me wrong. I would give every penny I own to be a mom...in an ideal world. But in this less than perfect existence, we have things called mortgages, food, and gas to buy.
So, I was faced with a decision. Do I buy the pills even though they may not help one bit, or do I skip that step and hope the other investments I've purchased (Clomid, ultrasounds, patch, etc) are enough?
As my mind was spinning trying to decide what to do, I remembered those 2 follicles sitting in my ovary. Here I was actually considering not doing everything I can to get those babies here! And all over what? Money?
This is when I became a gambling woman.
I bought the pills. Yeah, things will be tight for a little while now. Christmas may not be so merry, materially speaking. But I now I won't look back and wonder if this was the crucial element I was missing. I placed my bet, and if I get burned so be it.
Do you know how much Progesterone pills cost? Well, let me enlighten you. They are $325. I felt like I had been slapped across the face when I heard that tonight at Walgreen's. Now, don't get me wrong. I would give every penny I own to be a mom...in an ideal world. But in this less than perfect existence, we have things called mortgages, food, and gas to buy.
So, I was faced with a decision. Do I buy the pills even though they may not help one bit, or do I skip that step and hope the other investments I've purchased (Clomid, ultrasounds, patch, etc) are enough?
As my mind was spinning trying to decide what to do, I remembered those 2 follicles sitting in my ovary. Here I was actually considering not doing everything I can to get those babies here! And all over what? Money?
This is when I became a gambling woman.
I bought the pills. Yeah, things will be tight for a little while now. Christmas may not be so merry, materially speaking. But I now I won't look back and wonder if this was the crucial element I was missing. I placed my bet, and if I get burned so be it.
Two is Better than One!
Mid-Cycle Appointment Today...
Well, the double-dose of Clomid led to double the result! Not much going on in the right ovary, but in the left there are now two mature follicles. The nurse stated, "Two mature follicles mean two beautiful babies!"
So, in a perfect world, I should be giving birth to twins in about 9 months. However, we know that the world's not perfect so we will wait and see what happens. They gave me, not only Progesterone pills, but Estrogen patches as well. I am taking vitamins, Robitussin, and baby aspirin. We are pretty much doing all we can to make my body ideal for a baby (or two!).
We shall wait and see...
Well, the double-dose of Clomid led to double the result! Not much going on in the right ovary, but in the left there are now two mature follicles. The nurse stated, "Two mature follicles mean two beautiful babies!"
So, in a perfect world, I should be giving birth to twins in about 9 months. However, we know that the world's not perfect so we will wait and see what happens. They gave me, not only Progesterone pills, but Estrogen patches as well. I am taking vitamins, Robitussin, and baby aspirin. We are pretty much doing all we can to make my body ideal for a baby (or two!).
We shall wait and see...
Friday, November 24, 2006
10 and 5
Top Ten Things NOT to say to a person with Infertility*
10. You've been married SIX years? What's the hold up? Don't you want kids?
9. Are you sure you're doing it right? (Laugh)
8. You're not getting any younger…
7. Oh, yeah! I know just how you feel! We tried for 5 MONTHS to get pregnant!!!
6. (Looking at their own children) Are you sure you want one? You can have these!!!
5. Look how clean your house is! You can tell no kids live here! (Laugh)
4. I tried for 3 months to get pregnant, and then I tried "XYZ Product" and it happened! I'm sure that will work for you too!
3. I wish I had the free time you do! You're so lucky! My kid(s) keep me so busy with "such and such".
(Just a note on this one… We want nothing more than to know what your kids are doing. We want to know all about it! But please don't call us "lucky" because we don't have kids.)
2. Did you know you can tell when you ovulate by taking your temperature???
(Trust me, we know.)
And the Number One thing NOT to say to a person with Infertility…
1. Just RELAX and it will happen!
(Sometimes just relaxing does help you to conceive but other times there are medical issues and no amount of relaxing can change that. Also, have you ever told someone to "not think about a zebra"? What happens? They immediately think of a zebra. The same goes with telling someone "relax" or "don't think about it". So, do all of us a favor and keep that advice to yourself!)
All of these things have been said to me at one time or another. Some of them several times! None of these comments were made with any ill intention. Some of it is great advice for someone just beginning to think about having a family. However, once you have been trying to conceive for three years, there isn't any advice you haven't heard!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, what DO you say to a person with Infertility? Here are some suggestions…
Top Five Things to say to a person with Infertility
5. How are you feeling? (Only ask this if you truly want to know the answer.)
4. Let's go get ice cream!
3. I was just thinking about you.
2. I care about you.
And the Number One thing to say to a person with Infertility …
1. If you ever want to talk about it, I am here, but only if and when you want to. (And if they don't take you up on that, change the subject!)
*Infertility is defined as trying to conceive with no success for more than one year.
10. You've been married SIX years? What's the hold up? Don't you want kids?
9. Are you sure you're doing it right? (Laugh)
8. You're not getting any younger…
7. Oh, yeah! I know just how you feel! We tried for 5 MONTHS to get pregnant!!!
6. (Looking at their own children) Are you sure you want one? You can have these!!!
5. Look how clean your house is! You can tell no kids live here! (Laugh)
4. I tried for 3 months to get pregnant, and then I tried "XYZ Product" and it happened! I'm sure that will work for you too!
3. I wish I had the free time you do! You're so lucky! My kid(s) keep me so busy with "such and such".
(Just a note on this one… We want nothing more than to know what your kids are doing. We want to know all about it! But please don't call us "lucky" because we don't have kids.)
2. Did you know you can tell when you ovulate by taking your temperature???
(Trust me, we know.)
And the Number One thing NOT to say to a person with Infertility…
1. Just RELAX and it will happen!
(Sometimes just relaxing does help you to conceive but other times there are medical issues and no amount of relaxing can change that. Also, have you ever told someone to "not think about a zebra"? What happens? They immediately think of a zebra. The same goes with telling someone "relax" or "don't think about it". So, do all of us a favor and keep that advice to yourself!)
All of these things have been said to me at one time or another. Some of them several times! None of these comments were made with any ill intention. Some of it is great advice for someone just beginning to think about having a family. However, once you have been trying to conceive for three years, there isn't any advice you haven't heard!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, what DO you say to a person with Infertility? Here are some suggestions…
Top Five Things to say to a person with Infertility
5. How are you feeling? (Only ask this if you truly want to know the answer.)
4. Let's go get ice cream!
3. I was just thinking about you.
2. I care about you.
And the Number One thing to say to a person with Infertility …
1. If you ever want to talk about it, I am here, but only if and when you want to. (And if they don't take you up on that, change the subject!)
*Infertility is defined as trying to conceive with no success for more than one year.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Pregnancy… or the lack thereof - Part 1
Well...not really a stretch considering the title but it did not happen for me this month. Luckily, I began spotting early so I have known for a few days now it didn't look good.
Anyway, I am moving on...I'll do the Clomid again with a double-dose this time around (2 pills a day). I'll still do the trigger shot and we'll add Progesterone pills after ovulation.
Here's to another countdown and more forced sex!
Anyway, I am moving on...I'll do the Clomid again with a double-dose this time around (2 pills a day). I'll still do the trigger shot and we'll add Progesterone pills after ovulation.
Here's to another countdown and more forced sex!
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Fertility, or the lack thereof - Part 1
Mid-Cycle Ultrasound
I took my last Clomid on Friday night. I was prepared to endure horrible side effects but, surprisingly enough, felt none at all! I have been emotional lately, but that began the day before the Clomid so that wouldn't be related. I was concerned that because I haven't had side effects, maybe it didn't work.
Well, I went back to the Doctor's office today. The nurse there (who is so sweet) gave me an ultrasound. I was pretty anxious. First, she looked at my left ovary and there was nothing going on there. That's when I got nervous.
Next, she looked at my right ovary and, oh my gosh, a huge follicle was staring back at us. One big follicle with (hopefully) one mature egg inside. It was so large that I may just ovulate it on my own!! Even so, I'll give myself the trigger shot tomorrow morning. I am supposed to do it at 9:30am exactly so I guess I'll be doing it in the bathroom at work. (Not exactly how you picture conceiving a child!)
So, it worked!!! Even if no pregnancy results, this is progress. The nurse told me my chances on Clomid are about 8%. I hope I beat the odds and get a positive result in 2 weeks.
Here's the bittersweet part, I am supposed to test on November 22nd...my 27th birthday. Here's hoping I have something to celebrate.
I took my last Clomid on Friday night. I was prepared to endure horrible side effects but, surprisingly enough, felt none at all! I have been emotional lately, but that began the day before the Clomid so that wouldn't be related. I was concerned that because I haven't had side effects, maybe it didn't work.
Well, I went back to the Doctor's office today. The nurse there (who is so sweet) gave me an ultrasound. I was pretty anxious. First, she looked at my left ovary and there was nothing going on there. That's when I got nervous.
Next, she looked at my right ovary and, oh my gosh, a huge follicle was staring back at us. One big follicle with (hopefully) one mature egg inside. It was so large that I may just ovulate it on my own!! Even so, I'll give myself the trigger shot tomorrow morning. I am supposed to do it at 9:30am exactly so I guess I'll be doing it in the bathroom at work. (Not exactly how you picture conceiving a child!)
So, it worked!!! Even if no pregnancy results, this is progress. The nurse told me my chances on Clomid are about 8%. I hope I beat the odds and get a positive result in 2 weeks.
Here's the bittersweet part, I am supposed to test on November 22nd...my 27th birthday. Here's hoping I have something to celebrate.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Clomid
Today, I took my first real step towards treatment for my infertility, as I guess it is called. I had an ultrasound at the Doc's office this morning. Everything looks great. I had a few "dark spots" on my right ovary, which the nurse tells me are "prefollicles", or something like that! God willing, Clomid will help these spots turn into follicles, turn into eggs, turn into babies!
So, now I wait for my period, to begin any minute now in fact. The first time in my life where I am excited to get it, go figure. Then the countdown starts. Day 5, I begin the Clomid, which is a pill I will take every night for 5 nights. Supposedly, it may turn me into a bloated, moody witch with hot flashes and all. I pray Ryan can make it through! Then, another ultrasound on Day 13 to see if those follicles have grown. Next is the shot to make me ovulate (yikes!). That's where Ryan comes in and, you get the idea (wink, wink). After that, we wait...and wait...and wait to see if it all worked!
I am cautiously optimistic. Maybe this is all my body needs...just a little push. Or maybe it's just the first step in what may be a long process...
So, now I wait for my period, to begin any minute now in fact. The first time in my life where I am excited to get it, go figure. Then the countdown starts. Day 5, I begin the Clomid, which is a pill I will take every night for 5 nights. Supposedly, it may turn me into a bloated, moody witch with hot flashes and all. I pray Ryan can make it through! Then, another ultrasound on Day 13 to see if those follicles have grown. Next is the shot to make me ovulate (yikes!). That's where Ryan comes in and, you get the idea (wink, wink). After that, we wait...and wait...and wait to see if it all worked!
I am cautiously optimistic. Maybe this is all my body needs...just a little push. Or maybe it's just the first step in what may be a long process...
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