A Little Bit of Background in a Nutshell

My hubby and I started TTC soon after we got married. He was 39 and I was 36, so no time like the present! We did the natural thing (remember that?) for about a year. I started tracking my ovulation six months into it and we got very good at the whole timing thing. He even came home from work a couple of times to stick it to me. The romance of the whole thing kind of goes out the window at some point, doesn't it? So, it was about a year after we started trying that we decided to seek help. 

My gynecologist recommended a fertility clinic in Beverly Hills (not the Octo-mom's doctor, and yes I have been asked that) and off we went, after filling out the novel-sized packet of forms. It turns out I was at the exact point in my cycle where we could start the IUI process. I wasn't thinking it would happen so soon, but again, no time like the present, so...wham! I had my first ultrasound. The Hubster and I had already had all of the required tests done with our respective doctors so it just kind of worked out. 

Because this is less a fertilty blog and more about in vitro, I will spare you most of the details. But suffice it to say after an HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) to check my tubes (they were fine), we did SIX cycles of IUI, ten inseminations in all. That's a lot of trips to the clinic and a lot of emotional upset each month. We started in June, 2008, skipped two months and did our last IUI this past January. My favorite month was December, when I got my period early...on Christmas morning. Bah-humbug. I didn't need a Grinch to steal my Christmas.

I took Clomid for the first two cycles and all it did was make me "moody" (which is a nice way of saying The Girl from The Exorcist) and fat. Yes, I gained something like 10-15 pounds which I have been unable to lose. Happy happy joy joy.

So, we began the in vitro process...