So Confusing!!! Venting….

Danni_Girl

This whole IUI process is very confusing and intimidating.

 

So this is how I think things are going to happen….

1.      I keep doing my LH tests until I see a surge

2.      Call the clinic when I do and then I will go in the next day for IUI

 

However… what if, like this month, I surge for a day and a half?

What if I surge on a Friday or Saturday?  Our clinic does not do IUI’s on weekends.  So if I show a surge Saturday morning and night and again Sunday morning, what do I do then?  Go in Monday and hope for the best?

 

The clinic said they could start me off right away with a trigger shot.  But that would mean I need to have ultra sounds done, and I don’t even know where I would get those done because the Hospital here is apparently backed up, and I would need to go almost 2 hours to another city that does them, but if they can’t get the results to our clinic in Saskatoon within a day, then it’s pointless.

 

I hate that we live so far away.  It’s making this much harder than I thought.  Worst part is that the NP that referred us is very slow to getting back to me, and she is the one that needs to set things up with the ultra sounds close to home, otherwise we will have to drive the 4 ½ hours to Saskatoon to do them.  And I really don’t want to do that, because we would have to take that drive again a few days later for the IUI.  But, I have a feeling we may need to cut out the middle man for a little if we want to get the job done.

 

Ugh...  Stressing out.

mwagner25

I think it is totally normal to feel confused and overwhelmed about the IUI process at first. I also had a long period of positive surge days on OTC tests (we used clear blue easy digital per our providers recommendation). For this reason we started off with ultrasound monitoring and trigger shots from the beginning. If you are a temper/charting person you may be able to narrow down your actual time of ovulation that way. I know several people on the board are near experts on this and I often hear the book "taking charge of your fertility" recommended if you go that route. Which may be something you want to consider since it sounds like ultrasound monitoring may not be an option. Usually if you are using an RE there is a nurse or the doctor at the clinic should be able to help you answer these questions. Our clinic did IUIs on the weekends too, so that wasn't an issue for us. I promise IUI #2 is much easier and makes more sense but fx you will have a good result from the first one.

Danni_Girl

I’m a planner… and I can’t take not knowing what’s going to happen.. lol

 

So I have emailed our clinic to see what we would need to do to start trigger shots right away and just say ‘screw it’ to the OTC tests because obviously it’s not going to be as cut and dry as I had hoped.  Plus we just want to better our chances of having a baby.

 

Does trigger shots up the chances of multiples?  As much as we want 2 children, I don’t know if I want to have twins, especially living where we do.

 

We were hoping to do this without medications, but if this will help our chances, I’m willing to take it.  Just don’t know how the whole u/s thing is going to work, I’m not looking forward to driving all the way to Saskatoon for that.

Danni_Girl

Thank you for the support.

We haven't even started IUI's yet and it's already stressing me out.

mwagner25

A "trigger" shot or Ovidrel does not increase the chance of multiples. It is basically "pregnancy hormone". The reason you are given the shot is to help promote ovulation if you have not already ovulated on your own. It helps make sure the timing is right for the IUI. Ideally you want to have ovulated and have the egg be in the Fallopian tube when you inseminate. Make sense?

Danni_Girl

Got it!

trisholio

I echo previous posts, this process is not cut and dry and is very stressful.  With that being said, it is worth it when it all comes together.  My wife and I did 6 at home cycles before going to IUI, but during that time I was monitored by an RE.  We had the benefit of having an RE less than 10 minutes away and having great insurance cover almost everything.  With that being said, we got pregnant on our first IUI after the 6 failed cycles at home.  It could have been timing, it could have been possible scaring on my cervix preventing it from working or varies other factors.  Do you have an OB office that is closer that could offer you some services?  I have never heard of an RE office not being open on the weekends.  The month I got pregnant I went in for internal ultrasounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that month, took the trigger shot Sunday night (at home) and then we did the IUI Tuesday morning at the office.  Timing is of the most importance during this process.  

I wish you the best of luck, it sounds like you do have many challenges but it doesn't seem impossible.  Keeps us updated on your progress :-)

doodah1013

We had a similar experience. At first we had a lot of frustration reading OPK's and our timing was off several times. My wife had 5 IUIs and then when we switched to me. They wanted to do fertility meds right out of the gate because they knew we were frustrated... So I did three rounds with monitoring and triggers... Still no positive.
We then switched to an RE who suggested temp charting and OPKs. From my understanding you should call it in from the first time you get a positive. It may stay dark for a few days, but your surge is when it gets dark to start. We also used a Clear Blue Easy fertility monitor.... It was expensive but worth it. It clears up questions about when your surge comes. Just make sure you start using it a cycle before you are ready to start because that will give you the clearest results.
Long story short, after 3 medicated, monitored cycle we got pregnant on our first natural cycle monitored with OPKs... We lost that pregnancy, but were able to get pregnant again on the very next cycle (again with no medical intervention). Everyone's experience is different, but in our experience intervention was not necessarily our key to success... On top of that it nearly doubled our out of pocket cost for each try.... Just a few things to consider!
Good luck to you on your journey! This board is a great source of knowledge and is a great place to turn when you are overwhelmed!

wishiwaspreggo

I wish there was a comprehensive manual written specifically for lesbians TTC - there is one book I've seen (The Ultimate Guide to Lesbian Pregnancy) but then again, it was just one woman's individual experience so while it's helpful to have some commiseration her advice may not work for everyone.

Anyway, I know how you feel.  I was stabbing in the dark my first go-round.  I was seeing an OBGYN and he had me take my trigger shot when my lead follicle was 9 mm.  Knowing what I know now, pregnancy would be impossible under those conditions.

I started seeing an RE after and used Clomid (first step in medication intensity) for 3 cycles, with trigger for 2 and OPKs for one.  All failed so I moved on to Femara plus Follistim (second step in medication intensity) and that one didn't work, either.  So now I'm on straight Follistim (third step in medication and highest intensity for IUI) so we'll see how that goes.

Beyond that I'll need IVF.

Everyone is different, though.  Some folks don't need any medical intervention.  Some of us will need a lot of it. 

I recommend starting with OPKs and reading Take Charge of Your Fertility.  You'll want to chart your basal body temperature (BBT).  That's really the best way to see when you ovulate.  For example, my temperatures will hover between 97.5-97.8 pre-ovulation.  As soon as I ovulate, my temperature spikes to 98.5-98.8, so there's a one degree increase.  That will at least let you know how long between a positive OPK and actual ovulation will take for you.  From my understanding, you will ovulate within 24 hours of a positive surge.  Verify that with your BBT.

Hope that helps!  Best of luck to you Try to stay calm and trust the process.  You'll learn everything along the way.

mrs&mrsk

speaking of books, I really enjoyed "my miserable lonely lesbian pregnancy" it read easily and was informative without being clinical. and less negative toned than expected!

Danni_Girl

Thank you for all the input.

I think we may just keep doing the OPK tracking for next month, see when I ovulate and then call the clinic and go in the next day. See what happens...

Our parents are coming 5 July. Not sure how long Jo's parents are staying, but my Mom will be here 2 weeks, and of course, I should be ovulating the week after they all arrive. So it makes things a little hard to travel to Saskatoon twice in a week (once for u/s and then for IUI) with everyone visiting.  And there are things going on with work that I know I cannot get out of during the week I would need to go for the u/s, so if I have to go on the Wednesday or Thursday, I can’t go.  Oh the joys.  hehe

I know, I’m all over the map here!!  Once we get the ball rolling, and it’s not a crazy busy month, it should be a little easier.

I am going to check out those books though.  I know I have a baby book at home, but I think it’s the ‘what to expect when expecting’ book.  But that’s a general pregnancy book; I would like to read something that is more specific to our situation.