All Done... Except the Waiting

On Wednesday I went in at 10:30 a.m. and had our IUI procedure done. Like last time, Chris had to go in at 7:30 a.m. to give his sperm sample so that they could wash it before my appointment.

The procedure went well, and I felt much more relaxed after having already experienced it. In fact, this time I only experienced some slight cramping.

If you are interested in reading more details about what happens during an IUI you may want to read my previous post entitled: Fingers Crossed. http://lazzyeggs.blogspot.ca/2015/06/fingers-crossed.html

I know we only have a 20% chance of success, but when I think of the fact that Chris provided 64 million sperm and I provided three eggs; I find it hard to imagine that yet again it might not work.

64 million sperm and three eggs!

It seems almost impossible for it not to work.

The one thing I keep holding on to is that if it doesn't work this time we are planning to give it one more try.

I've started taking the Endometrin three times a day and will also continue taking the low dose asprin. (Endometrin is an effervescent progesterone tablet that is used to prepare the uterine lining so it is ready to receive and nourish a fertilized egg and support early pregnancy.)

It was while I was on the Endometrin that I experienced the most side effects last time. I'm hoping that since I will be working this time, I will be too busy to notice them.

I was also given the paper work to have my pregnancy test done on October 25.  That's 2 and a half weeks or 18 days past the date when I had the procedure... not that I'm counting!

So like last time we're asking for as many well wishes, fingers crossed and prayers that you can provide.

Still Waiting

It is officially two weeks after my IUI. It is also my cycle day 29.

Normally a woman is able to test to see whether or not she is pregnant at this time.

My doctor has ordered me to get my blood work done on Saturday, which will be cycle day 32. By that time there should be no mistaking whether or not I am pregnant. There should be enough HSG hormones in my body that I won't have to worry about a false negative. It also should be long enough past my HSG trigger shot that I won't get a false positive.

I have to confess I almost took a pregnancy test today... in fact I came ridiculously close!

The nurse who performed the IUI told me that I could take a home pregnancy test the morning of my blood work so that I can be prepared. Because I'm having the blood test on Saturday I won't get their results until Monday.

I don't even have the comfort of not having started my period yet because the Endometrin that I am taking stops you from starting your period; along with all its other side effects.

So I find myself in this weird limbo of both wanting to know and also not wanting to find out, because if I don't know there is still a chance.

I haven't decided whether to take the home pregnancy test on Saturday or not. I can't imagine if I took it and it was negative how I would then go in to get the blood work.

So for now I wait... hoping and praying for a miracle.

MIA: Missing In Action

For the last couple of days I have been MIA, Missing In Action. 

Why? I'm not really sure. 

For the past two weeks, I have had so much that I wanted needed to write about. So many things that I wanted to share with other women who were going through the same experiences. 

And then... it stopped!

At first I thought it was because I couldn't think of anything that I wanted to say.

Then last night, I realized that I am afraid!

I'm afraid that by writing about this I will somehow jinx it. I so desperately want this IUI to work, and yet I know that we only have 20% odds of success.

Have you ever had the feeling that you want something too much?

As I mentioned previously, I also know that so many of our friends and family are wishing and praying for this to happen, and I don't want to let anyone else down.

When I had this realization last night I knew I needed to write another post, because I refuse to allow fear to rule me.

I can't promise that I will go back to writing a post everyday, but I will say that whenever I feel like I have something to share, I will.

So here is what I have been doing these past two days:

I have been taking the Endometrin (progesterone) tablets three times a day. Thankfully, the cramps have pretty much stopped, but I am still completely exhausted. In fact, the second day I was on them, all I did was read a book in between naps!

I have also been doing a lot of praying and visualization. I try to visualize the sperm meeting the egg, the egg growing and developing, and a successful implantation.

I bought and have been eating a couple of brazil nuts a day. I've read several studies on the internet which have suggested that brazil nuts contain selenium, a natural antioxidant, which may increase women's chances in conceiving.

I have been drinking lots of water, have visited with friends, and also went to the Stampede!

Maybe going to the Stampede grounds will help- after all- tons of Stampede babies are born every year! :)

Side Effects

When I first began this journey I was really concerned about the different side-effects that I might experience. I read about all kinds of crazy side-effects from hot flashes to emotional roller coaster rides. 

I am happy to say that I have experienced very few side effects. The hormones never really gave me the major side effects that heard some ladies experience. I think it may have to do with how a woman typically reacts to her own hormones. I am one of the lucky woman who doesn't typically experience bad PMS.


Yesterday, after my IUI procedure, the nurse told me that I may experience some slight bleeding and some cramps.

Unfortunately I experienced both of these. 

The spotting wasn't a big deal, but the cramps were/are very uncomfortable. In fact I am still experiencing discomfort. 

I have also started my Endometrin this morning. If you didn't read my post yesterday, Endometrin is progesterone which will help to ensure that my uterine lining is ready to receive and nourish a fertilized egg.

The Endometrin comes in a tablet form, and I was given applicators which makes it easier to insert it high enough into my vagina. I will be using these three times a day until either I get a negative pregnancy test or until my 10th week of pregnancy. 

Did I mention that it is an effervescent tablet? 

Picture putting an Alka-Seltzer tablet up your woo-hoo! To say it is an interesting sensation would be an understatement! I also think it may be the fizzing which is adding to my cramping.

I have to wear a panty liner as some of it is discharged... isn't that a sexy thought!

Speaking of SEXY- just take a look at some of the side effects I may experience.

Side Effects of Endometrin include:  abdominal bloating and/or pain, nausea, headache, uterine cramping, vaginal spotting or bleeding, vomiting, constipation, tiredness, breast tenderness and mood swings or irritability. 

They also have less common side effects which include: vaginal itching, vaginal burning, and vaginal discomfort!

Yay!!! Don't they sound like fun?

Have you noticed that quite a few of these side effects are similar to those women experience when they first become pregnant? Nothing like playing with a person's emotions!

I'm hoping, like with the other fertility drugs, I won't experience too many of these side effects.

Fingers Crossed

Last night Chris took the bus home from Edmonton and got in at 9:45 p.m.

This morning we were up early and got him to the clinic for 7:15 to give his sperm sample, so they could 'wash' it, and have it ready for me later.

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!