Waiting is the hardest part.

On a pain scale of pap smear to HSG, the IUI was probably right in the middle.

My husband came to the infertility clinic with me and held my hand during the procedure. I tried not to let anything reflect on my face, as far as pain goes, because I didn’t want to freak him out. I did have cramping pretty much immediately after the speculum was inserted and the catheter started its journey. I don’t know if the cramping was due to the fact that I have a tilted uterus, the doctor had trouble getting through the cervix, or because the procedure was performed too early. I wasn’t tested for a LH (luteinizing hormone) surge, which would indicate impending ovulation, because the doctor wanted to do the IUI before I had too many mature follicles.

I really wish I would have gotten some more information from the doctor about what to expect with both the before and after the IUI procedure. Besides being told that the IUI shouldn’t be a big deal pain-wise and being warned about a possible infection afterwards, I had no idea what to expect. I had to do a Google search of an IUI to figure out what exactly was going to happen! At the IUI appointment itself, I basically signed the release paperwork and that was the end of all conversation. My preference is to be talked to, particularly with information, while I’m having any type of procedure done. What are you doing? Is everything normal? What should I expect? I have had none of that with this particular doctor, and that doesn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

After the IUI, I was instructed to lay on the table for about twenty minutes. I was highly thankful for that because the cramping was rather severe at that point. It wasn’t to the level of the HSG where I felt I was either going to faint or get sick, but it was enough to make me want to not move for a while. My husband also told me while we were waiting that he was worried because the catheter had blood in it when they removed it from my body. I hope that’s normal…?

So, at this point, all we know is that if I don’t start my period in two weeks, I’m supposed to call the infertility clinic and ask that they schedule a pregnancy test. Honestly though, I’m really not holding my breath. I am thankful, however, that I had this procedure performed where I did (military facility) because it’s not going to cost us anything (or at least that’s what we were told). That said, if it didn’t work then at least I won’t be up in arms about spending a boatload of money on something I felt shouldn’t really have been done this cycle.

Let life surprise you.

I was rather caught off guard when I received a phone call from the infertility clinic this morning. To be honest, I’m always a bit flustered when my phone rings because it’s not something I typically anticipate. Add that to the fact that I was in the middle of the frozen foods section of the grocery store and you could say that I was slightly taken aback. Personally, I don’t think any woman would want to have a conversation about her lady parts while being stuck in a public and slightly noisy place.

It was a good thing that I answered my phone because I was told that even though I was on the cycle list for December, there was a cancellation this month and they wanted to know if I was available to take it. It really wouldn’t matter if I was busy because, at this point, I would reschedule just about anything. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance!

The only downside is that I have to go on birth control pills as my cycle isn’t going to coincide with this random appointment opening. I have a bit of time to pick up those at the pharmacy, and we still have the opportunity to “hope for the best” for this month’s cycle of trying naturally. If that doesn’t work out, then I have the appointment with the infertility clinic in just under three weeks.

At the end of the day, I’m just happy that we’re starting the IUI process, especially with our moving date quickly approaching in three months. The sooner we get the ball rolling, the better our chances of success!

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.

I received a call from the infertility clinic this afternoon. This was the first time I’ve talked to this particular doctor and considering how nice and informative he seemed to be, I’m rather disappointed I haven’t been dealing with him before this! I feel like he actually wanted to chat with me about what’s been going on.

Last week, my hubby had to repeat his semen analysis in order to verify his numbers. It was thought that he might be on the low end of normal, but it seems as though there was an improvement. He still might be a little low on the normal spectrum, and maybe have some abnormal swimmers here and there, but our chances are looking better.

The doctor also looked back over my own medical records and informed me that my eggs looked great, stating that he wished he could market them. Good news for me, obviously! He also said that we have a really great chance of getting pregnant, especially with IUI coming up.

I’m still on the cycle list for December and should be receiving a call about it sometime near the end of November. The doctor recommended that I request to schedule my appointment soon after my expected period in December so that I can avoid going on birth control pills. I’m all for that!

Getting pregnant naturally, before the IUI, would be awesome, and the doctor seemed really convinced that the IUI would be an immediate success for us. Just in case though, he asked how I felt about being added to the IVF list, which has a waitlist of fourteen months (and a much discounted $3,300 price tag). I signed us up for that because it’s impossible to predict how things will turn out, no matter the positive signs.