IUI process

I realized that I'm using the term IUI, but i haven't explained it.  Without having to go to wikipedia, I'll give you the play by play.

The basic IUI process is first heading to the infertility clinic to have a sonogram to have your ovaries checked out.  They will look at follicles, black spots on the screen, and will also check out your uterus.  At this appointment you may or may not be able to pick up your prescription.  This is an appointmentment that you should make back to back with the nurse to get instructions on how to give or receive shots.  You will probably get a practice saline shot from your partner.  Apparently, giving the shot feels like playing darts and you are the bullseye.

My prescription was a double dose of clomid, which comes with many warnings of side effects, and also the items for the trigger shot to make you ovulate.  The trigger shot includes the medication, syringe and needles.  This can be expensive too, depending on your insurance.  Just be forewarned.  I also got a prescription of estrogen to help build the uterine lining.  Estrogen apparently makes me aggressive, not weepy.  Caution.

Your next appointment will be post Clomid and will be another sonogram to check out the ovaries, follicles and uterus.  At that appointment they will decide when to give the trigger shot and when to have the IUI done.  The trigger shot and the IUI are 36 hours apart.

When you get the trigger shot, be as relaxed as you can be.  If your partner is nervous about giving the trigger shot, ask the doctor or nurse to draw a circle on your body of where the shot should go at that last appointment.  Hopefully. your trigger shot is at night and you can head to bed.  This time period can be emotionally distressing.  This is usually when I find myself frustrated that my husband and I are spending so much money and time at the doctor's while my Facebook feed pops up daily with people who are newly pregnant.

For the IUI, have your partner collect at home and then, while keeping the cup warm, together head to the doctor's.  The sperm need to be washed, collected, and put into a syringe.  In the mean time, you will get a hospital bracelet, have BP checked out and extra time to wait around and make nervous jokes with your partner.  This is also when my husband will pray over us with teary eyes and half beg for this to work.  It's hard to hear it the first time, and it gets harder with each time after that.  The plus side of this appointment, is that instead of getting the paper booties, I got real socks for my feet.  However, this excitement will wear off by the 4th time.

 When everything is ready, a long tube is inserted into the cervix and the sperm are pushed through via syringe.  This is what I refer to as "the worst parade ever."  This feeling can be uncomfortable, but not painful in my experience.  After all sperm are in and the tube is removed you get 10-15 minutes to lay back with your feet up and relax.

After I recommend heading home and relaxing more.  No long running for exercise.  Keep it an easy day for yourself physically and emotionally.  The appointment can be stressful enough.  I also recommend not taking phone calls from my mother, unless you want to hear about how other babies you know are doing and how she's so certain you will have one too...

One week post IUI is a blood test for progesterone done at a lab.

Two weeks after IUI is pregnancy test.  They say to test even if you start your period.

Keep tissues handy.  The waiting really is the hardest part.

You're not alone.  Obviously.

If you are as fortunate as I am, look forward to this process happening a few times and think of how many new pairs of fuzzy socks you can collect and not about how bad you want a martini.