Fertility is a touchy subject for most people. Some feel it is very private and do not want to share details with anyone, while others have had to struggle with fertility for many years. I can't say how many times I've been asked when I'm going to have a baby (and they don't mistake me for being pregnant, they really want to know why I haven't had one yet). I tell them "whenever it happens," and that was usually the end of that subject. Not many people know that we tried to conceive for a few years: that I was on the evil Depo Provera shot from hell, which kept me from having a cycle for 16 months after my last dose; and that we eventually had to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) to help us find out what was going on. So after 20 months of actively trying to conceive, several tests/procedures, and one cycle with Clomid and IUI, we are thrilled to be able to announce our first pregnancy!
Clomid is a drug that helped me ovulate at a specific time. I took one little pill for 5 days, then used an Ovulation Predictor Kit. When I got a positive, we went to the RE's office for an ultrasound. They saw two follicles on the right side that were "collapsing" (the nurse said it's a good thing). This meant we had good timing to do the IUI (intra-uterine insemination). We had to wait a good hour while they processed and cleaned the sample, then we went back for the IUI. This was not a pleasant experience, though not terrible. About ten minutes later, we paid, were wished good luck, and left. I had been given paperwork to have a Beta blood test in 14 days.
So the next two weeks went by so slowly. I tried to occupy my mind by keeping busy. Harry Potter 7 came out at just the right time! It distracted me for a good two days.
I planned to wait until the blood test (Wednesday) to find out, but the day before came around and I just couldn't wait anymore. The line on the FRER test was pretty faint, but it was there and it was pink.
I was feeling pretty optimistic (which is a scary thing to feel when you've been let down so many times) and decided I'd test again the next morning. I took a digital test as well as another FRER. Both were positive!! I went in for my blood test feeling as if my head was in a cloud. It was all so surreal, but I was still eager to find out what my beta numbers were.
Unfortunately, I had to wait ALL DAY LONG. I got a call 15 minutes before the RE's office closed. It was worth the wait though, as my results fell right in the normal range (85, normal range being anywhere from 50 to 100)! I had a repeat beta test on Friday, and this time the results took even longer to reach me. The RE himself called us to let us know I was up to 238! He told us to call on Monday and schedule an ultrasound for two weeks later. We'll be going in for that on Monday, August 13th. We are so excited about this, although I know it is still very early so we are being cautious and quiet about it.
So the next two weeks went by so slowly. I tried to occupy my mind by keeping busy. Harry Potter 7 came out at just the right time! It distracted me for a good two days.
I planned to wait until the blood test (Wednesday) to find out, but the day before came around and I just couldn't wait anymore. The line on the FRER test was pretty faint, but it was there and it was pink.
I was feeling pretty optimistic (which is a scary thing to feel when you've been let down so many times) and decided I'd test again the next morning. I took a digital test as well as another FRER. Both were positive!! I went in for my blood test feeling as if my head was in a cloud. It was all so surreal, but I was still eager to find out what my beta numbers were.
Unfortunately, I had to wait ALL DAY LONG. I got a call 15 minutes before the RE's office closed. It was worth the wait though, as my results fell right in the normal range (85, normal range being anywhere from 50 to 100)! I had a repeat beta test on Friday, and this time the results took even longer to reach me. The RE himself called us to let us know I was up to 238! He told us to call on Monday and schedule an ultrasound for two weeks later. We'll be going in for that on Monday, August 13th. We are so excited about this, although I know it is still very early so we are being cautious and quiet about it.
