Starting Clomid tomorrow!

Eeeekkkk it's finally happening. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I had my b/w and baseline u/s today. Everything looked good. My u/s tech said that my ovaries look beautiful and that they should produce lots of eggs. Yay! I start my Clomid tomorrow for 5 days (CD3-7), then on CD8 I start estrogen pills. I go back on May 6th (CD11) for my monitoring u/s to see how I respond. I will pick up my trigger shot then and get instructions for the rest. We should be doing IUI somewhere around Mother's Day. I am so excited!! I just hope I respond well. AAAAHHHH! :) :) :)

Edited: I just picked up my meds. I was too curious/excited to wait until tomorrow. My insurance covered better than I thought. I knew it wouldn't cover the Clomid, which was $25.99, it covered the Estradiol so I paid $7, but the shocker was the Prometrium, which I thought would be like $200, it covered so I only had to pay $25. So $57.99...That's not bad at all. I called my mom I was so excited. Haha!

Myth: All reproductive endocrinologists are the same.

Busted: From resolve.org: Every reproductive endocrinologist (RE) has his or her own style and it is important that you find one you are comfortable with. As you prepare to seek fertility assistance, take the time to think about what type of doctor relationship you want. You should also think about whether you prefer a male or female doctor. Many fertility centers host open houses so you can meet the doctors before scheduling a consultation.
Some REs also specialize in certain fertility treatments and procedures. Finding a doctor who is best able to meet your clinical needs is another important consideration. Most fertility clinic websites have bios for each doctor, including areas of particular expertise that you can check out.
Take the time to “do your homework” before choosing your doctor.  Forging a healthy relationship of trust and open communication with your fertility specialist is essential and will give you the best possible chance for success.
And one last note: after you have begun to see a fertility specialist, if you feel like he or she isn’t the right fit for you after all, change doctors! Ideally, it would be a specialist in the same practice so the transition will be smooth for you. You should not feel uncomfortable or worry that you will hurt other’s feelings. Your treatment team’s first concern is creating the best possible environment for you to have a baby.

Here's why this myth bothers me so much...I have seen two REs now. My second and current RE is amazing. When we had gone to see the inital RE, we were both excited to start with a specialist and took his words to be true. I knew in my gut that he was not our doctor, but just wanted something to work and so I denied it. He didn't see any concerns with my bloodwork (although my E2 levels were almost triple the normal range), mentioned I might have endometriosis (have never had any symptoms), and said it looked like I had PCOS (I have 28 day cycles in which I do ovulate, and no other symptoms). He sent me to do more bloodwork and scheduled the HSG. On the day of my HSG, after the procedure, I was told I didn't carry the rubella vaccine and that we needed to avoid pregnancy for 3 months after being vaccinated (turns out you only need to wait 4 weeks). This is when I realized he wasn't a right match for us. Why wait 3 weeks to tell me this? Why have me do an HSG if I couldn't try for 3 months after? This is when I had decided I wanted a second opinion. During that time I had asked that RE to return my call about my levels and it took him 5 weeks to return my call! 5 weeks is a lifetime when you are dealing with infertility.
We saw DR. G almost 2 months ago. He re-did all my bloodwork, ruled out PCOS, and told me he didn't see any reasons why I should think I have endometriosis. My E2 levels are the major concern. My body is producing too much estrogen, causing me to ovulate early. My first RE never spoke a word about this! Every time I see Dr. G I feel comfortable. He addressed every concern that I have always felt in my gut, without needing to be asked it.  He gave us a plan that we are comfortable with and I have no doubt that he will get us pregnant.
I will never forget the words my husband spoke as we left his office: "You were right, honey. This is the guy. We have found the right doctor."

http://www.resolve.org/infertility101

 http://www.resolve.org/takecharge

AF has arrived!!

I started my period this morning. Never thought I would be announcing that so freely and making it a point of discussion! I am super excited. We are officially on our first IUI cycle. I left a message for my RE's nurse so I am just waiting for a call back. I can't wait. I feel like no matter what the outcome of this cycle is, we finally have a real shot, mainly due to the Clomid. I will keep you updated on the process!
Oh yeah, I also turned 31 yesterday. I had an amazing last 3 days, which really changed my view on turning another year older. Yes, I am not where I thought I would be at 31, but where I am is not that bad! I have a great life!

Myth: If you relax, you will get pregnant

In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, April 24th-30th.


1 in 8 women and men are diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE and the infertility community are busting myths and telling truths about the most popular public myths and misconceptions about the disease of infertility and the different ways people build their families.
I hope to bust a couple myths this week.


Myth #1


If you relax, you will get pregnant.


BUSTED: Mr. DF and I began trying to conceive our first child as soon as we got married, throwing out my birth control pills on our honeymoon. I like to think that I relaxed the first six months of trying. After 6 months, I started charting and really paying attention to when we should actively try. After my surgery, when we were allowed to try again (last August), I decided I was going to relax again and see what would happen. I tried to tell myself my body just wasn't ready to carry a child due to it needing the valve replacement. After a couple months of "relaxing", I became impatient again and sought help from an RE. We are now 8 months back at trying, with our second RE (a myth I will bust later this week). It hasn't happened.
Turns out the lack of relaxation isn't the reason for my infertility. My body produces too much estrogen, causing it to ovulate early, when my eggs have not matured enough to fertilize a healthy embryo. I will need fertility medication to get my body to do what it needs to do. No amount of relaxing will get my body to do this. 
From Resolve.org: "The fact is, the vast majority of individuals who have infertility have a medical reason, not a stress-related one. Upwards of 90% of all infertility cases are caused by physical problems."




http://www.resolve.org/infertility101
http://www.resolve.org/takecharge

Here we go again

Started spotting today. UGH! Now the countdown to my period is officially on. I am just so ready to get this IUI show on the road!
Nothing further really needs to be said.

Acupuncture was bizarre!!

I'm really not sure how I feel about it. I was really strange. I feel like she put needles everywhere! She put one on my head, my forehead, on each hand, leg and feet. I think maybe a few on my right foot. She put about 6 on my stomach and they F'N hurt! She said it was because they were connected to my uterus. 

To warm them she used this burning incense, which was really weird, stinky, and smoky. I laid there for about 15 minutes, wishing it would end. 

She wants me to come twice a freakin week! She says we need to stop the spotting and get rid of the stagnant blood or IUI won't be successful. I made an appointment for next week, but honestly, I don't know if I plan on keeping it.

Right now I'm just weirded out. I think it's a little too hippy for my and I'm feel (no joke) that I smell like I smoked a freaking joint. It totally smells like weed, not that I'm an expert, but I've smelled it so...it's very comparable.  And my left hand where the needle is, hurts. I couldn't even steer with it on the way home.

I just don't know what to think about it right now. 

Last of my blood tests came back

My RE's nurse called me this morning. It was so nice to hear form her after all my worrying yesterday.
All my remaining blood tests have come back. My Thyroid is normal, both of our STDs came back negative, and I officially carry the rubella and chickenpox immunity!! Yay! We are good to go!
I asked her about what I can expect next cycle and what I need to do. She basically told me, I don't need to do anything. They will tell me what to do. Not used to that one! I go for my CD2 or 3 b/w and u/s and then she will call me with results that afternoon. Then she will call in my Clomid Rx to my pharmacy. We also schedule a monitoring visit for around CD10/11. That's where we will take a look at my follicles and decide what to do. If everything is good to go, they will then give me the trigger shot. Then I come back for the IUI. She said they will go over everything with me CD2/3.
I also asked about my acupuncture appointment tomorrow. I had totally forgotten to ask. She was really happy to hear that I was going and said I could go anytime during my cycle, just to let the acupuncturist know where I am at in my cycle.
She told me to call with ANY questions. I am not used to this kind of care! LOL I am in good hands and I need to remember that and try to "relax"!