Notes from the 7 DP IUI monitoring appointment...

I had my 7 DP IUI monitoring appointment this morning.  When I was taking the Clomid, they simply did bloodwork to check my progesterone level.  With the injectables, they also do an ultrasound to make sure the ovaries look OK.  Mine looked fine - the doctor counted 4 "CL's" (I assume she meant corpus luteum's (lutei?) - 2 on each side.  Does this mean that I ovulated 4 eggs??  I didn't ask.  Anyway, they said they'd call if my progesterone was low and have me start suppositories.  They didn't call, so I assume it was OK.  I won't test (or probably post) again till Monday, which will be 12 DP IUI.  This time, they told me to wait until 14 DP IUI, and if no period, call them to schedule a beta the following day.  So, theoretically I may have a beta next Thursday.  We shall see - one thing at a time.

Geez... thanks a lot, pajama pants.

I've had these flannel pajama pants for about 7 years.  They've come in handy during these bloated days due to their forgiving drawstring waist.  When I was putting them on, I noticed the tag.

 

 Gosh, even my pajama pants are telling me to "just relax."

4 DP IUI

I'm checking in today, 4 DP IUI.  I'm having major GI issues (mainly constipation) and lots of cramping and lower back pain.  I'm not sure if it's my digestive system or my uterus which is the source of the cramping.  My boobs are sore, but I believe that is from the HCG trigger.  I've been very "good" this cycle so far about not drinking coffee or alcohol.   Past cycles, I kept drinking coffee and had a drink or two during the 2ww, partly because I didn't think it would hurt anything if I did.  This time, I'm trying to really take care of my body, just in case this IUI worked.  Mentally, I'm feeling very calm and positive.

Still testing out the trigger and it was positive as of today.  I'll keep testing every other day till it's gone, then stop testing till hopefully next Monday (12 DPO).  We're heading out of town to Virginia next weekend for an ultimate frisbee tournament that Bunny is playing in.  I won't bring any tests with me, so that I won't be tempted!

Just for fun, here's the series so far.  The numbers next to the tests are days past trigger.  Based on previous cycles, the tests turn negative by around 8 DPT.  These are Wondfo tests, which I find to be accurate.  I have a zillion of them.  Thanks for all the comments - I was hearing crickets around here for awhile!  Glad to hear you all are reading and supporting me - I appreciate it!

IUI was this morning...

I had the IUI this morning.  Bunny's post-wash count was 26 million, not too shabby.  When I signed the paper saying that the sample was his, I noticed a note at the bottom saying something about liquefaction and "reduced motility."  The doctor and nurse didn't comment on it, though, just said that it was a good count.  If these IUI's fail, I'll ask them about it.  It makes me wonder if something is up with Bunny's semen.  I've been having ovulation pain on both sides since last night.  Hopefully I will O some time today.  I plan to test out the trigger till it's gone, then hopefully stop until at least 10 or 11 DPIUI.  The good thing is that we're going away next weekend, so I can leave the tests at home and that will stop me from caving!

Triggering tonight!

I had my last monitoring appointment this morning.  I have two big follies (both measuring around 20mm) on the right side, plus a few smaller ones which probably won't produce an egg.  I've gotten the go ahead to trigger tonight.  The IUI will be on Wednesday morning (CD 13).  I'm stoked because I only went though one vial of Follistim, so I have a ton left (2 600mcg vials) for future IUI's.  If we repeat next month (here's hoping we won't need to!) then I'll only need to order Ovidrel.  It's always nice to save a dollar or two (or several hundred)...

Quick monitoring update... CD9

The monitoring appointment this morning turned up one dominant follicle at 16mm and a few smaller ones.  The doc thinks I'll probably trigger Monday or Tuesday.  It seems quite early, since Monday is only CD 11.  He said he has high hopes for me this cycle, but if this one doesn't work they may increase the Follistim dose next time so I'll have more mature follicles.  I'm still on 100 mcg.  I haven't even gotten through one vial of the meds this month, so hopefully the other two vials in my fridge will carry me for another cycle.  I'll check in again on Monday.

The doctors keep telling me that everything is "perfect" and that they think I'll get pregnant this time, but it doesn't ever actually happen.  I'm not going to get my hopes up until I see a positive pregnancy test.  Not sure yet whether I'll test out the trigger, but I probably will.  I'm really going to try and hold off starting "official" testing until at least 12 DPO.  Let's see if I have the discipline!

CD 7 - monitoring appt...

I had my second monitoring appointment this morning.  This time it was a nurse practitioner I hadn't seen before.  She just did a very quick wanding and told the nurse (not me) what she saw.  It was all a blur but I believe she said that there were eight follicles on one side and nine on the other??  Either that or she was saying that there was one that measured 8 mm and one that measured 9.  All she told me was that I have follicles growing but they need to keep monitoring me.  I'm still on 100 mcg of the Follistim and I'll go back for my third appt on Saturday.  I assume my bloodwork was OK, since they didn't call me with the results or tell me to change my dosage.

Baseline ultrasound...

I had my first ultrasound and bloodwork this morning.  The uterine lining is "nice and thin" according to the doctor.  I have 7 possible follicles on either side.  I don't really know what that means exactly, or how many will actually develop into eggs, but the doctor said it's very good.  I'll start 100 IU Follistim tonight and go in for my next ultrasound and bloodwork on Thursday.

CD1 - it's on...

AF arrived today very unexpectedly.  This was my shortest cycle yet - 25 days, with a 10 day luteal phase.  Freaks me out a little.  I have my first monitoring appt on Monday morning and will be starting the Follistim then as well... wish me luck.

Acupuncture, take 2

I started acupuncture again yesterday.  I found a new practitioner close to work which will be much more convenient.  I had my consultation, and she told me that I'm showing signs of liver, kidney and some spleen deficiency.  She also said my heart pulse was weak.  So, I'll be getting treatment once a week for a few weeks, then down to maybe once every two weeks.  I really missed it.  I'm 9 DPO today and don't feel especially pregnant, so I doubt I am.  I had some major GI issues over the weekend which haven't fully resolved, but I was traveling and eating lots of rich food, so that's probably the cause.  I had a lot of cramping and pressure in my abdomen yesterday, but not putting much stock in any of it.  I'm expecting AF on Monday, then it's on for IUI #4!