Registering as infertile

Sorry everyone, I realise it's been almost a week since I last blogged and since we went back to see our fertility specialist.  SO much has gone on in the Sunny household, I don't really know where to begin...

Hubby and I took our long list of questions back to the doc, armed with indifference about whether we would request a second opinion or new specialist.  More than anything, we just wanted answers!  I have NEVER been more nervous sitting in his waiting room than I was that day.  Hubby had to come over from work, so I sat there alone for about 20 minutes before the welcome smile of Hubby came through the front doors.  He could see how nervous and stressed I was so he took my hand and we just sat in silence.  We'd had weeks to go over the questions we wanted to ask, to talk about what we were comfortable with doing and not doing, and preparing for this day.  Our three cycle "trial" period on oral meds was officially over.  (I had been on a titrating Clomid dose ranging from 50mg to 150mg (days 3-7) for three cycles with no success.)

Our names were called, it was finally our turn to see the doctor.  We discussed further cycles with increased doses of Clomid, but due to my recurrent side effects (migraines, lack of sleep, cystic acne) we decided against it.  Instead we were introduced to the idea of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) with the possibility of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).  Hubby and I sat there, staring at him for a minute, in shock.  Were we really up to this already?  

Our doc could sense our surprise and explained that the FSH would be administered daily from day 5, and I would be monitored with blood tests and scans every 5 days after commencement to make sure we produced the "right" amount of follicles.  The "right" amount was anything from 1-3 follicles, the "wrong" amount is anything higher than this.  If we had our magic number, I would then get a shot of HcG and we would proceed to IUI.  IUI is basically where your husband's semen is squirted directly into your uterus as close to your fallopian tubes as possible, in the hope that some of the sperm-meets-egg risks are alleviated.  IF we produced more follicles than desired (in excess of 10) we would be given the option to harvest these eggs for use in IVF when we wanted.  

We were given an information pack about Queensland Fertility Group and the services they provide, as well as our registration form.  WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY INFERTILE!  Hubby was given orders to drop of his "specimen" to the collection office and we've had our bloods taken to test for all the nasties (HIV, Hepatitis, Rubella, etc).  Tomorrow we meet the QFG nurse and get educated on FSH injections, though this shouldn't be too big of a hurdle as I'm a nurse.  It's going to be fun watching Hubby learn this wonderful skill though, being the squeemish type.

The days following our appointment we found ourselves sitting on the couch together, staring into the distance.  Both of us wrapped up in thoughts about IUI, IVF, babies and so much more.  We've cried (A LOT) about the fact that our natural fertility options have failed, but through some excellent advice from great friends (and fellow infertiles) we've learned that this is all part of the process.  We have to give ourselves time to grieve our loss of fertility, work through our hesitations and to look forward.  This still may take some time, but together we can overcome this.  After all, it's the end result that matters, not how we get there!


So that's our news... Like I said, it's been a big week!