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.

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!