In case you forgot: 'washed' sperm simply means that they separate Chris's sperm from the rest of his semen. They then put it into a small catheter to inject into me later.
After his appointment we had breakfast and then I drove him to the bus station so he could travel back to Edmonton. (To say that he was exhausted would be an understatement.)
Then I had to drive back for my own appointment.
Although they normally start performing IUIs at 10:30, the nurse we saw on Sunday told me if I got there at 10:00 they may be able to get me in early... and they did!
In fact, it was the same nurse who told me to go early who actually did the procedure. She was so kind and it was really nice to have it done by someone familiar.
Too much information?- (You may or may not want to read the following paragraph!)
To get started she inserted a speculum into my vagina- just like when you get a pap test. This was used to keep my vaginal walls apart. Then she inserted a small catheter and tried to get it to reach my cervix. Unfortunately, the catheter was too soft and she wasn't able to get it inside. Apparently we have small skin tabs on and around our uterus, and she was getting it caught on one of mine. By switching to a less flexible tube she was able to insert it into my womb where she then inserted Chris's sperm. (She told me that it was a good sperm sample.)
Believe it or not the whole process only took a few minutes and was pretty much painless. There was a few small twinges when she finally inserted it, but other than the normal uncomfortableness of a pap, it was fine. She told me I may have some bleeding and would probably experience cramping later.
I could have gotten up and left as soon as she was finished, but I asked if I could just lay and wait a few minutes. I understood that I could get up right away, but I still wanted to stay laying down for a few minutes just in case.
After about five minutes, I went to the pharmacy and picked up my Endometrin. It is an effervescent progesterone tablet that I will need to insert into my vagina three times a day starting tomorrow.
Because I was on so many different drugs to stimulate my egg follicles, I was prescribed Endometrin to prepare my uterine lining so it is ready to receive and nourish a fertilized egg and support early pregnancy.
I will continue to take the Endometrin until we either get a negative pregnancy test or until my 10th week of pregnancy.
So we have now done everything we possibly can, and the hardest part is about to begin... the waiting!
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ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog, and I have to say, mine is very similar. I just wanted to share, and I'm not sure your reasons for IUI BUT... I'm going to go out on a limb. IUI is not the best course of action for anyone who wants a healthy baby. IUI can be very successful, but the risk with IUI is that they inject the sperm directly into your womb. Now, this may be TMI, but when they do that ALL the sperm gets in. Through natural intercourse this amazing process of natural selection occurs and only the healthiest sperm make it past the cervix. With IUI they inject it all past your cervix and into the womb and all of the bad swimmers, chromosomal rejects, and basically defective sperm get in there too. I realize that you are paying a lot of money to try this, and I hope it works out for you but!! if it doesn't, try seeing an NFP specialist through your local Catholic diocese. They are wonderful and they have helped so many women get pregnant naturally. Also I'm so sorry about the haters who made you feel badly about your age. My grandmother was in her forties when she gave birth to two of her children, and my mother in law also had a child at 41. Everything was fine. Best wishes, and I hope you get pregnant, and that your baby is healthy. You will be in my prayers, definitely.
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