Friday, December 19, 2014

What the heck is an IUI?

Hi Everyone!

After writing that last post I realized that many people don't actually know what an IUI is or how it all works. Unfortunately, when you live in an infertile world, all these acronyms become a part of daily life and you just assume that everyone knows what you're talking about. I'm honestly thankful that many of you don't, because that means you aren't living in a world where you need them to have a family. 

IUI stands for Intrauterine Insemination, which is when sperm is placed by a Dr. into a woman's uterus when she is ovulating. I refuse to say anything about the statistics of getting pregnant via IUI because I'm actively choosing to be as positive as I can during this cycle. If you want to read about the process in more detail, I suggest going here, but I am going to explain what the cycle will look like for us (each Dr has a little different way of doing the cycle, but for the most part the insemination part is the same).

On day 1 of my cycle (which is the first day of your period for those who don't know) I called the Dr's office. 

On day 3 we went into the office for a baseline vaginal ultrasound to check how my ovaries and follicles are looking. This is gross and possibly my least favorite day. Today is day 3 for those wondering and my insides are looking good! They gave me medication to help stimulate my ovaries and follicle growth. This will be an oral medication. He is having me start the medication tonight and I will take it every night for 5 nights, so until day 7 of my cycle. 

On day 9 we will go back into the office for another ultrasound to see how my body is responding to the drugs. For those of you keeping track, this will be Christmas Day! #Christmasmiracle!

On days 10 to 14, I will be having sporadic vaginal ultrasounds, possible FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) shots and depending on how my follicles are looking, they will perform the insemination on one of those days. This is the 'fun' part for Ryan. He gets to nuzzle up to the plastic cup! Sing it with me, "Clear plastic cup, I'll fill you up! Let's make a baby! Let's make a baby!" Haha! This is our theme song! They will take his sample and do a sperm wash. This separates the good mobile sperm, from those lazy guys and they then concentrate the good stuff into a small dose. The Dr. then uses a small catheter to place the sperm directly into my uterus. After that, I will most likely receive a trigger shot to force ovulation and the magic happens!

Days 14 through 28 are the absolutely dreaded two week wait. The worst two weeks ever! I'll go into that more in a later post, but just know, they suck a lot! 

So, there is it folks. I hope to get pregnant with my husband standing by my head, holding my hand and an old man Dr. between my legs with a catheter and my husbands sperm in a tube. Good times!  Really good times!

~Tonya

#Christmasmiracle


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

#Christmasmiracle

Hi Everyone!!

This is going to be a quick post.  I've debated writing this for awhile, but I finally decided that the prayers and support far outweigh the fear and anxiety I feel right now. 

We are starting an IUI cycle! This Friday! Ahhh!  I'm so excited, nervous, hopeful, and totally scared out of my mind.  I've sort of been a crazy person this week and I'm sure that's not going to go away until we know the results.  I'm not going to go into the specifics of why we've decided to start treatments again.  It all boils down to a simple truth.  We want a baby. 

So, I'm asking you all to pray for us, to send us your positive thoughts and to be hopeful with us.  A very good friend told me this week that being hopeful and believe it will work does not make me foolish, it's an expression of faith!  I have faith it will work.  I have faith that we will finally have the family we've desired for the past 5 years.  Please have faith with us! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! 

~Tonya


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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