My IUI Journey: Pregnancy Test Countdown

So the countdown to my pregnancy test was a breeze for me. I can truly say I didn't consume myself with thinking about it. I just took each day for what it was. For me its very easy to do because I like to keep my mind busy. I did keep myself updated in my IVF and IUI support groups just to have information on what others felt after their IUI. Sometimes its good to surround yourself with people that are in the groove of the same process.

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 I came across a lot of people saying you can take your pregnancy test 5 days before or that they just couldn't wait to test. I could definitely wait to test. This is a life changing moment and I wanted to make sure I took my test when I was scheduled. I didn't want to have a fake positive along the way from checking too early.

The day before my test I was very anxious because everyone was calling or texting about tomorrow being the big day and I just didn't want to think about it. I already had two days of mild cramping that came and went away, a bit of unusual spotting and I was late on my period. So for me confusion was in full effect and the clock was ticking. We got our pregnancy test from Target, so many brands you will be so overwhelmed by what to get. I stayed with the brand ClearBlue people say its the best I guess it is? It simply has a plus sign if you're pregnant or a negative sign if you have to work on it again. Very simple for under $9 and we were excited we got the test now the real moment begins.

24 hours later...I expect to take my test at 5 am they say the first morning urine is this best... I waited. My emotions were a bit nervous. What if I am...I played it cool until 11:30 am. It was my call just to do it and find out. And so I did secretly and nervous as hell. Please read the directions before you do the test if I didn't I would have messed up completely. (Take the cap off first) Very important! I peed on the stick it turned pink to let me know it was working...3 minutes and you find out if you're a mom. I waited 5 minutes... I think my video camera read the test before I could clearly see what I was reading. NOT PREGNANT!! Was the result. I paused looked at it a few more times thinking is it right?! Yep it was. And so the thought of not really feeling pregnant was already on my mind so I wasn't too disappointed. I just knew everyone else was going to be and that I would be starting this fertility journey all over again. At that moment I just knew all I wanted was a bottle of Korbel sweet rose and I was going to drink it until I felt wonderful.!
Cheers to IUI number 2 in June!

My IUI Journey Day of IUI

The day of IUI and it’s starting off as stressful. My partner couldn’t make the appointment to give sperm the day of the transfer. We booked a hotel a few blocks from the the fertility clinic so he would have easy and private access to do his business. Well he barely slept and was super exhausted resulting in no fresh sperm! So I had a 7am call time to thaw out his frozen sperm so we can move forward with IUI. With all of this unnecessary drama I feel like my body is in stress mode! Will the frozen sperm be enough? Not really sure. His 46 million sperm with only 7 % motility (swimming sperm). The normal should at least 40.

We still have to plan for intimacy after IUI which is good and the next day as well. Every extra step is helpful when it comes to this procedure. We missed one step so not sure how it will effect our chances. 

The IUI was uncomfortable but didn’t hurt. The beginning is similar to getting a Pap smear. The doctor is double checking making sure things are good and they want to be able to have a good view to place the sperm near the eggs. They used a catheter and then a syringe to release the sperm into my uterus. I didn’t feel anything at all. I had to lay down 10-15 minutes after the procedure and that was it.

After it was over my stress level completely dropped! I felt amazing that I did this and the hopes of it working was the only thought process I had. I have a two week wait period until I know for sure. May 1st is the day I check. If things are unsuccessful we have only one IUI in our cards left that the doctor has approved.
My family and friends are hoping for the best so hopefully we are blessed enough to share our great news.
Start tuned!

My IUI Journey #5 I Triggered

Another appointment for my Ovidrel trigger shot is today. Hopefully my follicles are high enough that I can trigger and do IUI. I feel great and wonderful so there isn’t a real reason why I can’t move forward, except if none of my follicles reach 18 mm. Thankfully my parents have the day off and decided to help out and take me to NYC.

7 am monitoring I checked in and I feel like my numbers are high. The champagne had to work last night I am sure! After having an ultrasound I had 4 follicles measured at 18+, 16+, 16+ and 15+. The doctor says 18 is the magic number and you only need one mature follicle to start trigger so I am good! My other follicles will probably reach the high numbers just in time for my IUI. Everything is working and I am super excited!!! The trigger shot was super easy and did not hurt! I hate needles no matter how small I still hate them. But this shot I didn’t feel a thing not even a pinch! So if you’re scared don’t be!!

I was on cloud 9 all day after it was over. The big day comes tomorrow IUI and then the process is over. I am almost done with my journey it went pretty fast but I did have some challenges. Can’t wait until tomorrow, it will get real!

My IUI Journey #4 Trigger Shot Fail

Well today was the day I was suppose to start my trigger shot Ovidrel after being on Clomid for 5 days. Unfortunately my follicles weren’t mature enough to start the process so I have to go back to the fertility specialist on Monday.

I was very prepared for the day, getting the ultrasound and moving forward with the shot which I hate needles. And now I am in the waiting stages again. I didn’t know that the follicles had to at least be at 18 mm for them to start you on a trigger shot to boost ovulation. Mine were only at a 13 so I am hoping that it grows by Monday. If not back to NYC I go until they reach a high number!!!

This journey seemed a bit easy but it definitely has had a lot of setbacks because of the unknown of it all. You can’t rush things to happen even though you want it dearly. With today’s delay, I decided that a glass of champagne was needed. After a month of no alcohol I decided that today was the right day for one.

No worries as I sip...Things will work out...At least in this moment everything feels amazing. Cheers!

My IUI Journey #3 Clomid Symptoms

I noticed the first day of taking Clomid it made me tired within 30 minutes. My vision was blurry and I did have mild cramps. I took the medication at 6:45 pm and by 8 pm I was sleep. I slept all night long.

When I woke up the next day, I felt my normal self. My mood was good, no side effects noticeable and no cramps. I was really nervous thinking about the side effects that Clomid might have like depression, mood swings, hot flashes etc... But so far it was working for me very well. I did decide that I would take the medication much later around bed time because 6:45 pm was way too early. I still wanted to enjoy my evenings and watch my crazy reality shows. The evening time is when I am able to whine down so I wasn't feeling losing that relaxing period. 
I am being positive about this process and have managed to warn everyone that if I act weird for the next 5 days it’s all on the Clomid. Hopefully I won’t be rude or crazy after it’s over.

My IUI Journey 1

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization.

My IUI journey is an exciting one because the unexpected is in the process. I am very glad I decided to start with IUI first because IVF just seemed more intense for me after my Myomectomy surgery. I think if IUI is unsuccessful I will be prepared for what to expect when I began IVF. Overall both procedures will give me the knowledge and education to help others looking into these fertility treatments.

This video features a full rundown of the costs from our Fertility Clinic it can different from your state or base off of your insurance. I must also say a lot of paper work has to be signed, notarized and sent back to fertility clinic before and fertility treatment is done as well as blood work. So it’s best to have all that done before you decide you want to really move forward.

Before doing IUI I changed my diet tremendously and with the recommendation nutrition lists from the fertility clinic here is the lists of things that will prepare you on your journey.