Infertility Adventures: IUI #1

This is my story about trying to make a baby. If bodies or infertility or words like intrauterine make you uncomfortable or bum you out, then you can skip this one.

After seven unsuccessful rounds of Clomid, it was time to bring out the big guns - Intrauterine Insemination, aka IUI. The first step was finding a fertility doctor. I'm just going to take a minute and say that working at a hospital is super convenient! Need a surgical consult? I can practically watch the TV in the waiting area from my desk. Need an ECG? Down the hall and around the corner. Need to see a reproductive endocrinologist? Take the elevator up two floors. I don't have to go outside or drive anywhere or anything! Anyway, I checked out Froedtert's reproductive medicine clinic and narrowed down the choices to two doctors, then let Daniel have the final say. At this point, I don't care about gender or nationality or hair color or shoe size, I just want a baby! Daniel's pick (and my secret pick) was Dr. Paul Robb, so we made an appointment for December 20.

December was my first cycle off of Clomid in ages. On Clomid, my cycles started on the 16th of every month (August 16, September 16, October 16, etc.), it was kind of freaky. December 20 was already a few days past my expected cycle start date, so I had no idea what to expect. At the appointment, Dr. Robb took a really thorough reproductive history and then told us what we already knew: We have unexplained infertility. He walked us through the IUI process (medication, timing, etc.) and told us to call him when I started my period so we could get going. Since we were leaving for the cruise that weekend, I figured my first IUI would be sometime in January because the timing wasn't going to work for this cycle. I mentioned it to the nurse on the way out and she made a note that I would follow up in early January.

December 20 was also Milwaukee's big (and hopefully only!) snowpocalypse, so after work I dug my car out of the snow and went home to do some laundry before our trip. Stephen and Meliah were driving down from Kaukauna and Jeff and Kendra's flight from Chicago was cancelled but they were renting a car to drive up. Daniel and I called around and made hotel reservations for everyone, than ate a quick dinner and kept packing. I starting feeling weird and crampy while folding laundry, and wouldn't you know, Aunt Flo had come for a visit. I usually start overnight or early morning, so 7pm was a bit of a shock, but I realized I could start the Letrozole and do a couple blood tests that Dr. Robb wanted. This was happening! It was definitely a tender mercy. Unfortunately, the first 48 hours of my period are pretty bad, so I wasn't really able to fully enjoy my visit with Daniel's family. Midol and chocolate can only do so much!

I took the Letrozole for a few days, went on an amazing cruise, and then went in for my first ultrasound on January 2. Dr. Robb brought in a resident and explained everything during the ultrasound, which was cool for Daniel too. Apparently Dr. Robb didn't know Daniel was a med student because while explaining that the black blob on the screen was actually a follicle, he turned to Daniel and said That's where the eggs grow. I didn't hear him say it and I'm glad I didn't because I probably would've laughed out loud and then the whole thing would've been awkward. Long story short, my follicles weren't ready yet, so I made another appointment to come back and have them checked out on Saturday, a few days later. The next time around I was good to go, so the nurse gave me a shot to trigger ovulation. We went in at 8am on Sunday for collection, went to sacrament meeting, and then went back for the actual insemination at 10am. Because of the timing, I had to find someone to cover my nursery responsibilities. Facebook pleading and texting didn't help, so I cornered the Bishop's wife and asked her. Looking back, I probably would've mentioned that I was going in for a procedure so I could have a baby instead of making it look like I was just trying to cut out of church early. But I digress.

After my appointment, I stayed on the couch all afternoon. Daniel did such a good job of taking care of me! I napped and watched some football and by 8pm I was going crazy. I folded some laundry and made lunch for the next day and it felt really good to move around!

Waiting wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I knew exactly when stuff happened and when I'd most likely get a positive test. Some days were longer than others, but I was able to stay busy most of the time. Thanks to my friends for keeping me occupied!

Dr. Robb told me start testing 14 days after the insemination. I tested 13 and 15 days after and then my period came on day 16 (what is it with the number 16 and my cycles?!). Not gonna lie, it was rough. We asked our family and friends to fast and pray for us and I felt like I let them down. I felt like I let Daniel down. I felt like Heavenly Father let me down. It was a lot to take in at 6am. I used all the hot water and took a really long shower. I cried. I prayed. I cried some more. I worked through a lot of emotions. I told Daniel. I told my mom. I told Janey. And then I went to work. I called Dr. Robb's office and round 2 has started. I'm down, but I'm not out. Keep praying and thinking happy thoughts for us, we need all we can get right now.

-Jenn