Had my post-opp appointment with my RE this afternoon. The biopsy from my polyp showed up non-cancerous. I didn't know until he said those words - "Non-Cancerous" - that I was pretty worried that I may have had cancer...
After that, we started discussing THE PLAN. Which is going to happen in a few WEEKS!! Yes, WEEKS instead of MONTHS! It feels like I've been waiting forever, evaluation after evaluation, test after test, procedure after procedure. Now the time is quickly approaching!!! Imagine, Baby C can become a little bean with a heartbeat in the next few months. I am very excited.
Here is THE PLAN: Medicated IUI with Clomid
Here is the Process:
- Call the clinic on CD #1 of Cycle --> Schedule U/S on CD #2, 3 or 4. This will repeat the trans vaginal U/S I had done on 12/30. They will count my follicles in my ovaries and check for cysts.
- I will then take Clomid for 5 days. See more on Clomid at the end of this entry.
- "Mid Cycle" U/S --> Schedule U/S on CD #11, 12, or 13. Check the size, number of mature follicles, measure the uterus lining (thickness, pattern). They check to make sure the lining is >7mm and check for the "Triple Layer".
- Take a Trigger Shot (HCG) --> this will force ovulation in 40-42 hours.
- After 36 Hours --> IUI!!
- I will be taking Progesterone Vaginal Suppositories.
- Then: the infamous TWO WEEK WAIT.
- After 2 weeks, if AF hasn't shown - then take the blood test to check HCG levels. HCG levels are ideally above 50. But what's most important is that the number doubles after 2 days. That means PREGNANT!
It almost seems unreal that I'm actually moving forward with all this and that Baby C can be a reality in the next few months. Crazy emotions with all this. I can't wait to just START.
The thing that scares me on the "process" is the SHOT! I have to give myself a SHOT (#4). Ugh. The RE said it's not that bad and that they'll show me how to do it... but a SHOT! :(
All the rest of it I kind of figured from reading so many message boards. I'm going to be on a VERY low dose of Clomid to begin with. The RE said if I have more than 3 mature follicles, we won't move forward with the IUI and will skip this cycle...! Risk is too high for multiples at that point. Hopefully, I'll produce 1 or 2 mature follicles. I will be at risk of 8-10% of having multiples using Clomid. I have about a 20% chance that the IUI will work.
Here's to praying I'll get lucky on this first cycle!!!
Now, it's the waiting game. I have to wait for my cycle to start (it just ended last weekend). AF is expected to arrive around 3/18.
Oral Clomid Treatment from my nifty handout:
Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is an oral medicament that induces, or regulates, ovulation. Clomid does not directly stimulate the ovaries; it exerts its effects at the brain's hypothalamus, the gland that signals the pituitary to produce FSH, LH, and Estrogen. FSH stimulate the ovaries directly and the response is dose related. Clomid competes for estrogen receptors causing the hypothalamus to "read" lower estrogen levels. Healthy follicles produce estrogen which is monitored by the hypothalamus and FSH product is increased/decreased based on the estrogen levels. As estrogen levels increase, FSH production decreases. Conversely, lower estrogen levels cause an increase in FSH and subsequent follicular stimulation.
Cheat Sheet - Fertility Acronyms:
- RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist
- CD: Calendar Day
- IUI: Intrauterine Insemination
- U/S: Ultrasound
- TWW: Two Week Wait
- HCG: Pregnancy hormone.
- AF: Aunt Flow.
Happy to hear it's moving forward! Best of luck with the first cycle!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph :)
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