Monday, October 8, 2007

Bring It On, I'm Ready

I'm enjoying the last day of a 3-day weekend (yay for Canadian Thanksgiving!) and all I can think about is my upcoming appointment with our soon-to-be fertility doctor (Dr. T). I'm nervous, excited, anxious, excited, excited, optimistic and excited. I have looked at the website for the fertility clinic so many times now that I've practically got it memorized. Being the nerd that I am, I've actually prepared a list of questions for the doctor, because I know the second I walk in there I will forget everything I wanted to ask about. Here is my list, in case anyone feels like commenting:

1) Single IUI vs. double (or triple) - your thoughts?

2) What stims/meds do you suggest (noting that I have a spotty response to Clomid at best)?

3) As OPKs are almost always positive for me, can I request to be monitored by ultrasound?

4) Does your clinic do genetic selection during sperm-washing? Does this decrease our odds of conception? (I'm not totally sure if I'm going to ask this one...)

5) Should I be on Progesterone supplements after IUI?

6) Given our work up and history, what are OUR chances of success per cycle?

7) Do I need to be concerned with OHSS (ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome), considering my history of PCOS? What about poor egg quality?

8) How long should I lie down after the IUI? Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of success?


Am I crazy to be as excited about this as a kid before Christmas? I'm excited for the injections, I'm excited to see my follicles on ultrasound, I'm excited for the whole process. This must sound absolutely naive and ridiculous to those out there who are veterans in this process.

D is worried about taking the time off work to go to this consultation appointment. D has a fairly high-stress job and it's hard for him to get away. Little does he know, this is just the beginning when it comes to needing time off, poor guy.

I talked to D again last night about moving straight to IVF, rather than try IUI first. My theory is that the success rates are so much better, we may as well do IVF once or twice, rather than IUI three or four times. I just want to get pregnant right now! But D is convinced that IUI will work and he wants to try it at least once before we move on to the next step. He said "I'd bet a lot on 20% odds." He is a great husband, very encouraging. I think I get a lot of my optimism from him. Also, the doctor I'm seeing is supposedly one of the Canadian pioneers in the field of IUI, so I guess I should have some faith in that.

With that in mind, I'm going to post a poll because, well, I'm just that crazy - (take a look at the top/right of this blog and please vote!). [EDIT: POLL DELETED]

I am so ready to be a mum.

God I love 3-day weekends. I have absolutely nothing to do today and that, my friends, is just fantastic.

5 comments:

Mel said...

I can't wait to hear how your visit turns out. Our first RE visit lasted FOUR hours. Husband almost killed me.
I think your questions are excellent. IVF is SO invasive and expensive, I think you guys should definitely give IUI a few tries. My first IUI cycle was a bust, but I have met so many people that it has worked for so you never know. Sending wonderful baby thoughts your way. :)

RBandRC said...

Your questions look great. I don't think I would ask about gender selection just yet, but that is just a personal opinion. I asked and my RE looked at me like "you'd be lucky to get pregnant lady!" Good luck with everything though! It is exciting to start at a new place as it is a new opportunity to be successful! I can't wait to hear how it all goes! :)

Barb said...

I voted first iui, but that's misleading b/c I lost it. But we DID have success.

AwkwardMoments said...

I was/am VERY excited to move to injections/IUI. It's a new chapter, offers new hope. I am excited that you are excited

Katarina Jelly Beana said...

I'm getting so excited for you!!

Your list of questions looks great. I'd definitely ask for a monitored cycle if you can because of the possibility of OHSS. My Dr. will call off if there are more than 2 very likely follies (reducing the chance for megamultiples.)

Little recommendation: Be sure to plan to go out to eat with DH after the appt. That will give you a chance to talk about it all, make any choices you need to and to just enjoy going through it with someone you love.