IUI Round 1 Result: Negative

A week or so ago I suddenly started getting really tired, which I thought might have been a positive sign.  But then over the weekend I started feeling cranky and had a little spotting, and I just generally got the feeling that my period wanted to come and we weren't successful.  By this morning I had pretty much convinced myself that the result was going to be negative, but we went through the blood test process anyway.

A little after 2pm, I got the phone call.  Unfortunately, my suspicions were correct.  At least I hadn't built myself up so much that the result was a shock.  I thought I took the news pretty well - I didn't even cry, which was a surprise.

I'm trying to stay as positive as I can.  There are several positive things I can take away from the experience.  As Mum pointed out, the process is no longer a mystery.  My body responded really well to the meds I took before and after the IUI itself, and I produced two "beautiful" follicles and a good thick lining.  I also feel like I know my body and my cycle better and have more confidence in that knowledge.  And like Jo the Clinic nurse says, the odds on the first cycle are pretty low because they are still adjusting my treatment to suit my body.  The odds go up the more cycles we do.

We decided to have a cycle off before we try again.  Mostly for financial reasons, but also I'd like to give myself a break emotionally.  There's no medical or technical reason why we can't just roll straight into another cycle, but I'd rather take some time to regroup before trying again.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support.  I've had so many messages from family members and friends both old and new.  It really does mean a lot to know you guys are all looking out for us and sending us positive vibes.  Thank you all so much.

(Okay, now I'm getting a bit teary.)

IUI Round 1: D-Day!

Or should I say, I-Day.  On Saturday after my blood test the Clinic said my hormone levels were still going up but it looked like we were safe until today, but they suggested quite matter-of-factly that we "have intercourse" over the weekend, just to be safe.  We went back in for another blood test this morning and Jo the clinic nurse thought I'd better have an ultrasound scan to check how many follicles had developed.  Dr Swift could squeeze us in for the scan and said everything looked good: I had 2 nicely developed follicles and a nice thick lining and he was predicting that we'd have to do the IUI itself today, but we had to wait for the blood test results to be sure.

At 2pm the Clinic called and confirmed we were on for today, which made me very happy - we both had the day off so it was really good timing.  Dave produced his sperm sample and we headed to the Clinic for our 3pm appointment.  We had to wait for half an hour to prepare the sample for the insemination, then we went into the lab room and waited for the doctor.  The nurse went over what happens next while we waited.  It felt like we were waiting for ages but Dr Swift finally turned up.  It all felt a bit surreal after that.  There was discussion of speculums.  And mucus.  There was some trouble with the procedure and it took longer than it was supposed to.  The doctor had to use a special tool to open up my cervix, which hurt.  I was uncomfortable and felt like my legs were going to cramp.  But finally, after 15 minutes (instead of the promised 5) we were done.  Once again, we were instructed to have sex over the next couple of days.  I felt a bit shaky and uncomfortable afterwards and was so happy I could go home and rest.

Now we start the dreaded Two Week Wait.  Starting tomorrow, I have to use vaginal pessaries for progesterone as an added precaution - it's possible that one of the reasons we haven't gotten pregnant so far is that my body doesn't produce enough progesterone.  So I take these pessaries until they tell me otherwise.  If I don't start bleeding, I go back on Tuesday the 24th of May for my pregnancy blood test!  If I do start bleeding, I have to call them for further instructions.

I hate waiting.

IUI Round 1 Progress Report 1

On Wednesday I had my first ever IUI cycle blood test.  Unfortunately, my hormone levels were still fairly low, so Dr Swift suggested I increase my Puregon dosage from 50 IUs to 75, which I started on Thursday.  This morning I went back for another blood test and now have matching bruises on the insides of both elbows - people are going to start thinking I'm a druggie or something!

After my test this morning, the Clinic called this afternoon and told me that my hormone levels have started going up - which is good and bad.  Good, because it means that I'm responding to the Puregon...But also bad, because the weekend is about to start!  They asked me to go back in for another blood test tomorrow morning and warned that if it looks like my hormone levels are about to surge we might have to do the insemination tomorrow.  Which would be fine for most people, but of course we both work on Saturdays so it could be logistically tricky.  Hopefully my body plays ball and holds off until Monday, as we both have Mondays off, which would make it much easier.  But I am unfortunately at the mercy of my hormones.

It's getting exciting and nerve-wracking now that we're approaching D-Day of our first cycle.  Statistically, I know that our chances of success are slim, but it's still hard to not be excited.  I'm so thankful that we've had such an easy run of it so far - no major side affects, very little fiddling with dosages and so on.  Fingers crossed!