IUI #7 (Cycle 10): Trigger + Sperm Arrived

It's funny, I was looking at my last IUI (Cycle #6) from October. There's some small things I've "forgotten" about doing an IUI, so was reading up on my old entries instead of going to Google-verse. I had said, "last IUI ever." Well, guess not!! I've even been thinking that IUI's might be a better option (cost-wise) if none of these other options work (IUI #7 and/or FET in September) vs. doing another IVF retrieval.

Last Injections

Since my IVF cycle was converted to an IUI, I still had to continue my IVF injections until the day of trigger. It was a bit bitter knowing I'm injecting my body with all these meds and not getting the wished for results of an IVF retrieval. But if I were honest, it was nice to do that LAST injection.

Trigger Shot 

Every time I have a trigger shot at odd hours I get paranoid I'm going to miss it. Which totally happened for IUI #5! So it's not like it's never happened to me before. I set my alarm before going to bed and I still woke up 10 minutes before my alarm thinking, "I missed it!" 

I haven't done a trigger shot for awhile (since IVF #2 in February), so I did follow the instructions carefully. I was happy to be done with it, last shot (for now anyways). After I was done with my shot, it took me awhile to get back to sleep again, was dragging a bit today. 

Donor Sperm Arrived 

Mini panic attack. I checked the shipping status this morning and it said "rescheduled delivery to 7/21." Eek! Freaked me out that the Sperm wouldn't get there on time... Then what? Can this cycle get any worse? But what was strange about it is, it showed it arrived in the City today and "destination scanned." So, why would it take an extra day to get there if it's already in the city? That doesn't make sense... 

I had to call UPS. Apparently the package didn't make it onto the truck for delivery, for whatever reason. So I asked if I could pick it up instead and they said no. WTF. I swear it took everything in me not to yell at the customer service person, "I need my Sperm delivered today!" Not to mention I was at work... at my desk... making this call, trying to sound calm and professional. Oh Lord, how people would've reacted to me saying that at work. 

It did get escalated to a supervisor. After 20 minutes in the phone... Turns out that the package WAS on a vehicle for delivery TODAY. But the online system didn't catch it and changed the delivery day automatically. Stress over nothing apparently. 

Is the universe telling me something about this cycle? Not one thing has gone as planned this cycle. Will I get a break? Sheesh. 

After all that, the package was delivered on time.

So, what sucks big time is my clinic called me and was confused on why a second vial of sperm arrived today. If you recall, I ordered an IUI A.R.T vial for the IVF cycle, Donor #5. Well, A.R.T vials are cheaper and supposedly have less sperm than a regular IUI vial. My RE told me to order a regular IUI vial when the cycle got converted on Sunday. When they called to verify the shipment, turns out that Donor #5 IUI A.R.T vial had just about as much sperm as Donor #2 IUI vial... UGH. Seriously? So I didn't have to buy another vial after all! Damn. $815 down the drain. They asked me which vial to use for tomorrow, I told them to use the new one (Donor #2) that they just got. <sigh>

Then there's the medication screw up. I did a refill order for Progesterone at my pharmacy. Thinking I was ordering the progesterone suppositories. Turns out I ordered the PIO shots. WTH. More $$ down the drain, sadly. That was totally my fault though, I tried to do an online re-order. Need to get this fixed tomorrow as my pharmacy apparently does not have the progesterone suppository RX on file for refill. I guess I'll donate the PIO to my clinic, I have no use for it right now and it expires in 30 days. 

At this point, if this cycle works - it'd be like a miracle. Seriously. All the things that could've went wrong - went wrong. Not to mention my hormones are in a muck with all these injections, combined with all these things going the wrong-way -- it's not a pretty picture! I'm a bundle of hormonal madness at the moment. $ down the drain, things not going according to plan, unneeded extra stress, worrying about sperm arriving.

A miracle... a miracle would be really nice just about now. Let's see how all this turns out. 

Next Steps: 

• 7/21/16 @ 11:45am: IUI #7 

IUI Cycle #6: HCG Trigger + Last IUI

I forgot to add an entry when I did my Trigger Shot! Had my trigger on Sunday @ 10:30 p.m. It wasn't too bad. I stayed up and watching the premier of season 6 for the Walking Dead and then did my trigger. Good excuse to stay up late! Same trigger shot, Pregnyl 10,000 iu. I must be getting so used to doing shots, I didn't even have to read the instructions and the mixing/injection went smoothly. No pain or burn. 

Last IUI - #6 

I had my last IUI this morning. I do feel optimistic about this cycle. However, I'm also planning for IVF if this cycle doesn't work. Even though I'm planning for contingency purposes, I am still feeling extremely hopeful this cycle will lead to a BFP.

Sperm Analysis: 38.7 million Motile Sperm, 43% Motility with a Progressive Motility of 4.

The IUI procedure was the smoothest I've had in all 6 tries. My RE's office has 2 RE's. The RE that is not my *main* RE did my IUI's #1-4. The nurse did my IUI #5. This is the first time my main RE did my IUI. Which is nice because it was the least painful of all of them! The speculum went in really easy - no pain. I didn't even feel the tickle of the catheter going in. He went slower than the other two, wasn't rushed. When he was done he said, "The sperm stayed in the uterus." LOL. Kind of funny. Then he wished me luck.

Hoping Donor #3 is the lucky one and hoping #6 IUI is also very lucky. Here's to hoping the TWW doesn't go by too slowly and that at the end of the two weeks I'll have good news to share. 

Next Steps: 

1. Starting Tomorrow: Progesterone Suppositories 
2. 10/27/15 @ 8:00 a.m.: Beta Test 

IUI Cycle #5: Trigger Shot Screw Up

Well, I totally screwed up! I forgot to take my trigger shot the morning of 9/14 @ 1:30 a.m. It just totally slipped my mind. I had so much other stuff going on, that I didn't realize I missed it until the morning of 9/14.

We're all human. But missing the trigger shot was like throwing over a grand out the window. Or that's how I felt. I called my clinic when they opened to figure out if I should take the trigger late... or reschedule the IUI.

As I was stressed out waiting for the call back from the nurse, I couldn't help but think that my head just "wasn't in the game". It's not like I forgot I had my IUI this week, I actually was extremely aware of it since I was planning around it. I even checked my calendar last night to "look at the week." Yet, somehow - somehow I just overlooked that 1:30 a.m. calendar item. My brain did not function with "I have to get up at 1:30 a.m. to do my trigger." Ugh.

As I was slowly freaking myself out and wondering if I should harass my RE's office or just wait for a call back, they finally called back! They were so quick, I left a message at 7:45 a.m. and they called back at 8:00 a.m. Yes, my mind went to so many crazy places from the time I realized I forgot my trigger shot until I was able to call to when they finally called me back.

We moved my IUI time back to 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. So, keeping the same day. They told me to take my trigger shot RIGHT NOW. So, once I hung up - I mixed the quickest I've ever mixed and injected the quickest I've every injected.

The nurse said that there was a "window" of leeway from Trigger Shot to IUI time... I hope they're right. I've always done my IUI's 36 hours after trigger. This time, it's going to be 31 hours. Crossing fingers this all works out. This cycle has been a mental struggle for me, if it doesn't work - I might have to re-evaluate going straight into Cycle #6.

Next Steps:

• IUI: 9/15/15 @ 3:00 p.m. 
• Beta Test: 9/29/15

IUI Cycle #4: Trigger Day

I took my trigger shot this morning at 3:30 am. Almost all my trigger times have been so early! It's always hard to sleep ahead of time because I worry I won't wake up and mess up the timing. 

Something weird is that last night I was having a lot of pain on my right side. At first I was thinking maybe it's appendix related... But I didn't have any other symptoms for appendicitis, so ruled that out. The reason this is weird is because I haven't had pain like this before for any other cycle. It was so uncomfortable, that it made it hard to sleep. It was like his dull pain. Might be due to my two lead follicles in the right ovary? Who knows. The pain is gone today, so not really sure why I had that pain. 

Anyways, here is my trigger shot set-up: 

This was my first time using Novarelle, normally I use Pregnyl. The mixing was the same, so that went smoothly. If they're the "same thing", I wonder why Novarelle is more expensive than Pregnyl? The pharmacy was out of Pregnyl when I ordered, which is why I ended up with the Novarelle. But there's about a $20 difference for the same type of injection that does the exact same thing. Odd. 

For some reason I hesitated during the injection part!!!! I think it's because I was groggy and my eyes weren't really focused. But I was breathing hard and it took me a little bit to inject. The trigger shot, there's no burning sensation (unlike the FSH injection - Bravelle). 

Normally after I do the trigger injection, I can't go back to sleep afterwards. Thankfully I was able to get back to sleep after this one! 

Really hoping this cycle is the one....!!!! I have good sized follies and this cycle is aligned to my normal cycle. Praying and hoping and crossing fingers/toes that baby dust will be present this cycle. 

Next Steps: IUI #4 tomorrow at 3:30 pm. 

IUI Cycle #3: Follow-Up Ultrasound - Cycle is a Go!

I would lie if I said that I wasn't worried about this cycle getting cancelled! At my Mid-Cycle Ultrasound last week, my follicles were not mature enough. I had some travel out of the state and had to change my travel time to get back in time for my follow-up Ultrasound yesterday (7/13). The entire weekend I kept thinking, "Please do not ovulate!" But I did prepare myself for this cycle to be cancelled. Thank goodness, that didn't happen!

Cycle #3 is a GO!!!

Here are the results of the ultrasound:

• Follicles: 

Right - 16mm 

Left - 20mm, 21mm. 

• Uterine Lining: 8.1mm

The follicle in my Right ovary hasn't grown since the Mid-Cycle Ultrasound last Thursday... which I'm wondering if that's normal or maybe it's a different follicle? My RE said it's a little small and might not trigger with the ones on the left. I'm thankful for the extra monitoring and that my RE was right and I did not ovulate over the weekend! We scheduled my IUI for Wednesday. 

Trigger Shot 

I triggered early this morning at 2:15 a.m. I was so tired from the long drive and long weekend, that I basically slept walked through the process and it went really smoothly. I couldn't go back to sleep afterwards though!!! Even though I was exhausted. Oh well. At least it's done.

How do I feel? 

I'm not really sure how I feel at the moment. Part of me thinks "This can be it!" and is really excited. The other part of me thinks "Don't get your hopes up." I'm happy to have 2 nice sized leading follicles with maybe the 16mm possibly catching up. I guess I'm cautiously optimistic... But it still feels like it will never happen... <sigh> Hoping the IUI goes well and that the TWW isn't so stressful. 

Next Steps: IUI is tomorrow @ 2:15 p.m. Hoping for major baby dust and fingers / toes crossed...! 

IUI Cycle #2: HCG Trigger Shot!

Everytime I think about the trigger shot, I think about that song by LMFAO "Shots!"  Then it gets stuck in my head and I'm singing it like I'm at the club or something. Wish I was talking about one of those shots! The HCG trigger shot is not as fun. 

The HCG trigger shot is to help with the timing of the IUI. You "trigger" the release of the eggs from the follicle. All mature follicles (>16mm I think) get released. Then my RE performs the IUI 36 hours later. Some clinics do it differently, mine swears by 36 hours. 

I couldn't sleep last night! I kept dreaming that I overslept & missed my trigger time. Or that I messed up the directions. Or that I was missing parts. I kept waking up in a panic and checking the time thinking, "did I miss it?!! Is it 4am yet??!!" 

Sheesh, you'd think since this is my second time doing this that it would be easier? Nope! Still paranoid I'm going to miss my "window" of fertility opportunity. Worried that my good juicy 21mm follie will ovulate before trigger time. Worried that the timing is just off. 

Also, you'd think since I've already done the trigger once that I wouldn't be a total mess doing it a second time... For me, it didn't get easier mentally preparing myself to give myself a shot. 

Like last time, I prepared everything the night before & inventoried everything, making sure all was there: 

When I finally woke up at 4am & mixed the solution, it went really well - no nightmare mishaps came to fruition! The needle still looks dangerous and intimidating... 

This time I was able to plunge the needle in on the first try! "3-2-1, plunge!" while singing "Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, Everybody!" Lol, not really :) 

It didn't hurt going in. Once I started to depress the needle, I had a quick sharp burning pain - then was gone. After the solution was all in, pulling the needle out was easy. I then had a little bit of burning feeling again -- then nothing. I didn't even have as much blood as last time, I had a hard time finding where to put the bandaid! 

All in all -- not too bad. I could've done with a better nights sleep though!!! Paranoia that I would miss the trigger time was not fun! 

Great way to begin Mother's Day with a nice "shot" at making a baby. 

IUI #2 tomorrow. Praying praying praying.

IUI Cycle #1: CD14 Pregnyl Trigger Shot - I DID IT!

This morning I had my Pregnyl (HCG) shot .... 2:15am. The trigger shot induces ovulation. 

Before I went to sleep I set everything out on the counter and set my alarm for 1:50am. I wanted to make sure I had time to mix the solution. 

I went slow mixing the solutions, following the steps slowly - to make sure I didn't mess up. It went relatively quickly and I was able to lay back in bed while I waited for my 2:15am alarm to sound. 

At 2:14am, I "prepared" myself. Said "I will count to 3 & just plunge the needle in! No hesitating!!" 

At 2:15am, the alarm went off. I hesitated! Took 3 times counting down from "3-2-1" before I managed to insert the needle. I decided to go with under my belly button for the shot. Surprisingly, going in did not hurt!!! I started to depress the needle slowly & that didn't hurt so bad. Removing the needle there was minor pain & then immediately after I felt a burning sensation, very slight. Only lasted a minute or two before it dissipated. There was hardly any blood - just a little dot easily covered with a bandaid. 

Overall, it wasn't bad!! I can't imagine having to give myself shots all the time.... But it went better than I expected. I'm actually surprised I was able to pull it off! I was doubting myself there for a little bit. 

Now, in about 36 hours I will have my IUI... Then in 40-42 hours I should ovulate. Praying my follicles continued to mature & at least one is >18mm. Hoping sperm & egg meet & conception occurs.....!!! Let's hope Monroe's swimmers get the job done! Then that the egg implants 7-10 days after that. Then a positive pregnancy test 14 days later! Crossing fingers this works. Will say a little prayer before I go back to bed. 

Baby C - this may be "it"! :)