IVF, pt. 2

Throughout all our infertility struggles, I've wondered how much to share and how much to keep private. Obviously, fertility issues are private in nature, but I am certain that the support of our family and friends has kept us going. So we're going to be transparent and we're going to keep sharing. 

Picking up where we left off...

After our informational meeting at our REs office, we setup a time to meet our new doctor. We wanted to meet and get to know the doctor who is going to be responsible for creating our family. She was great. She had studied our background and was very frank about our situation - my 'issue' is the signals my brain is sending. It's not Phil and it probably isn't even PCOS. 

What? Not PCOS?

 We have been told for years that because of my PCOS diagnosis, we'd have a hard time getting pregnant - turns out only one of those facts is true. 

Knowing that PCOS isn't the issue and that the IUI success rate is approximately 10% [what!?], we were on the IVF train. 

Since that meeting we've been in a whirlwind of planning, excitement, scheduling and decision making. One of the main decisions is if we should participate in our clinics warranty program. The warranty program that includes several cycles (both fresh and frozen) and if you are unsuccessful (aka no baby), your money is refunded. It's a pretty penny and a lot of commitment. And we're not sure if it's the plan for us. 

One day we've decided that we're moving forward with the warranty program. 

The next day we've decided that one cycle at a time is the right decision. 

And even when we think that we have everything figured out, we find ourselves revisiting stats and financials and talking each other in and out of everything. 

Final decision; TBD.

....

This weekend I started provera. This is the first step, the first pill - here we go. 

What's next? 

See below. 

We also both had infections disease panels completed. Physically, we're both doing great - no Hep B, C or HIV. 

Mentally? 

Phil is fine, patient and my eternal shoulder. 

Me, on the other hand, am worried and constantly questioning everything. 

What if it doesn't work?  What if we don't get any embryos? What if we do get embryos but they're abnormal? 

I don't have the answers. Phil doesn't have the answers. Our doctor doesn't have the answers. Because of that I'm left with hope. 

Hope that we're in the 66% (birth rate for women under 35 at my clinic). Hope that we'll navigate our way through this. Hope that all our struggles will be worth it in the end. 

...

We aren't defined by IVF so in addition to the excitement, we've got some other plans in the works for this spring & summer; landscaping, concerts concerts concerts (amanda), fishing & golf (phil), & spending time with our perfect puppy. 

As always, thanks for reading and for the incredibly kind comments and well wishes. We're so grateful. 

TERMINOLOGY

RE = Reproductive Endocrinologist

PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 
IUI = Intrauterine Insemination
IVF = In Vitro Fertilization 
Provera = A female hormone used to restore periods