Getting Started

Well, we really aren't getting started. We've been at this for about 17 months now. Long story short - I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (herein referred to as PCOS). I had surgery in March 2009 to remove cysts from my ovaries and check my fallopian tube function. Turns out that I have lots of scar tissue and adhesions in there (possibly from some infection I had but don't know about). Oh, and some of my organs were in the wrong place - like part of my intestine was adhered to my uterus... So, they fixed that as best they could. Then they shot dye through my tubes to see if they were working and one was, the other was blocked.

I have taken a drug called Femara which is technically for breast cancer but works like Clomid to make women ovulate. I took that for 3 months and did ovulate...but didn't get pregnant.

So now - our next option was either Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). We decided with our Fertility Specialist (Dr. Y) that IVF would be a better option than IUI because of all my scar tissue and the fact that it is really best for women who have ovulation issue. I ovulate just fine - the little boogers are just a little reluctant to be fertilized.

So, decision made. Now what? Well, we have to set up a meeting with the financial specialist at the Fertility Clinic. We have to have some bloodwork done. I have to have a "Mock Embryo Transfer." This basically entails filling my uterus with water, using the same catheter they will use to transfer the embryos (the same type, not the exact same one of course ;) and pretending to do so . This lets them use ultrasound to look at my uterus and make sure there aren't any problems with it, they measure it, and can determine exactly where they will place our embryos. Kinda cool... Then we have to take a class to learn everything you could ever want to know about IVF including how to give myself the hormone injections.

We are feeling very excited to get this started and relieved that we know what we are doing next. So far this whole process has been a whole lot of hurry up and wait. And those of you who know me know that I'm not the most patient person...