One IUI down, three to go

This last week has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. The waiting in the days approaching test day was, as accurately predicted by the nurse, pretty excrutiating. I started cramping on Saturday (5 days before test day) and assumed that my period was coming early. I got a bit blue and waited for it to happen. But the cramping stopped. Then on Sunday, the cramping started again. I started googling and discovered that cramping can be an early sign of pregnancy, as the uterus adjusts to the changes within. So, I got pretty excited about it. My period wasn't officially due for about another five days so it seemed that pregnancy was the most likely outcome. But no, 2 days before test day, Aunt Flo appeared on the doorstep. A most unwelcome guest. We were both pretty gutted and the thought of getting back into the cycle with the drugs again was depressing. My husband had mentioned test day to my mother-in-law so, not surprisingly, she called that day to see if I had done the test. I had already moved on in my head but her call made me realise how disappointed I really was. She asked me how I was feeling, and I realised that she was the first person to ask me that. I've told my Mum and several close friends about the treatment, but they don't ask me about it unless I bring it up. I appreciate that it's probably difficult for them as it's a sensitive subject, but when no-one asks it makes it feel so taboo or like they just don't really care. I put on a brave face for my mother-in-law and said "we're taking it day by day", "what will be, will be" etc, but really I felt like saying "this sucks!" "I'm really upset". So, why didn't I?

One week to go

I did the last of the injections on Saturday and I'm so glad to be having a break from the medication now. It's made me ridiculously bloated and my breasts have been painfully swollen. For the first time in 2 weeks I feel relatively normal. I don't like the idea that I might need to start the process all over again in a couple of weeks.
My other half keeps asking me if I feel pregnant. Of course, it's much too early to be able to answer that. I've got a big zit on my chin, which in the past has always been a sign of my period being on it's way. But with my hormones being so haywire who knows. From what I've read, an embryo wouldn't implant until 7-10 from fertilisation, so anytime from today... It's strange to me that with everything the medical industry knows about managing fertility, we are all still completely clueless as to what is happening inside me at the moment.
I didn't get the job that I interviewed for. Thoughts about maternity pay and child care costs etc are buried pretty deep in my brain for now though.

Waiting...

The IUI procedure went smoothly on Monday and so now we just wait. I need to do one more injection of Pregnyl on Saturday, to help develop the womb lining I think. As long as I don't get my period, we can do a pregnancy test on 2nd February...
The nurse decribed the 2 week wait as being hell-ish, but we've already waited so long that I don't see why a couple more weeks will be so bad. I've also got job stuff occupying my mind which is a good distraction. I went for an interview today. Not sure that I really want the job but the maternity benefits are pretty good so that's what is selling it to me more than anything!

First attempt at IUI

I had a scan on Friday to see how the follicles were coming along. The procedure was really uncomfortable as one of my ovaries was sitting very low and being difficult to read. But thankfully there were two follicles that looked like they would be ready by today, so we're booked in for the first IUI this afternoon. I had to do a different injection on Saturday night to make me ovulate and I'm definitely feeling the signs of that happening this morning. So, fingers crossed... How lovely would it be if it worked first time??

Needles and pins

I've been injecting for 4 days now. 2 each day, in my stomach. Buserilin with a syringe and Puregon with a pen. It's not something I'd do for fun(!) but it's not too bad. It seems like there isn't any consistency with which injection is going to hurt most, or how easy it's going to be. My other half is 'flicking' the injection site before I stab as this is supposed to help reduce the pain.
After the first jab, I felt fine for about 24-36 hours but then started to feel incredibly drowsy and jittery. A really unpleasant feeling and I couldn't focus on anything. Thankfully that has subsided. I've had some minor headaches and a bit of nausea since then. So we'll see what today brings!
I'm going for another acunpucture session today and a scan of my ovaries tomorrow to see if I'm ready for an insemination...

Jabs

Had a lovely Christmas and then the New Year hit along with thoughts of needles and side effects and trips to the hospital. I start the injections tomorrow. I'm fairly anxious about it and will be glad to get the first time out of the way so that I know what to expect. I keep reminding myself that diabetics and others do this every day.

Moving ahead

We had the appointment today at the clinic. I came home with a kit full of needles, syringes and drugs and a head full of instructions about how to administer them and when. It all begins at the start of my next cycle which will be around 6th January. Then we will begin a process of injections, followed by a scan, and if all is looking good and ready we then do the insemination and more injections until test day. It's quite a bit to take on board... On the plus side, apparently the drugs that I'll be injecting are unlikely to produce any unpleasant side effects which is a relief. So, now time to really enjoy Christmas before we begin round one!