September IUI's!

[raelynn]

It took us a little while to pick a donor. At first we were looking for similar personalities but since our kids will pick up on hubby's personality, we just went for looks similar to hubby (hair, eyes, skin, height), blood type, and CMV status since I'm CMV negative. Once we ordered it, it was no problem. They ask when you need to have it ship by/arrive by and we always shipped several days early and our clinic stored it for us until IUI day.

Something else to consider is how much to order. We originally only ordered two vials but once we got pregnant, we ordered two more since we want siblings to be by the same donor. It worked out but looking back, we should have ordered more and just kept them at the cryobank (the cryobank we use will allow you to return unused vials for 50% price as long as they store them for you) I wish we had had more vials because our donor is now inactive and sold out and we only have 1 vial left so had I not gotten pregnant this round we could have been looking at having to choose a different donor for our second child. Just something to consider if you're planning on having more than one child and want to use the same donor.

 

[Mhankins]

I am cmv negative also.. Prior to knowing we had a donor picked out that I thought looked a lot like my hubby. However, he is cmv+ so we had to begin looking again. We decided to use someone that had the same qualities and features but doesn't really look like my husband. That probably makes no sense haha! We were planning on order a couple vials but are hoping we don't have to use them all right away

 

[fossie]

Hey ladies!

Savasanna - I feel like you switching doctors and going to a specialist is a big positive, and will lead to a big fat positive! Thursday will be here before you know it!

amigone - how are you feeling?

mhankins - choosing a donor was fairly difficult for me. I had a couple of specifics that I really wanted physically, but definitely wanted to balance it with character traits. I had my heart set on a donor before I was tested for CMV. He is positive and it turns out I am negative, but I spoke with my doctor about it because I was really conflicted. They are required to advise against it, but I did a lot of reading and research and decided on my own to go forward anyway. My doctor did also tell me that she had not personally seen a reported case of a woman/baby contracting it when a negative mother used a positive donor. Not saying I recommend that, it's just what I decided to do. And I definitely second what Rae said about considering the quantity. I, of course, was trying to be very cognizant of costs so I only ordered 2 vials. Thank goodness this second one took, but now I've gone back online and he doesn't have any more IUI vials available in case I decide to have a baby in the future. I'm kind of bummed about that and may see if I can be put on a waiting list if anymore vials become available. So if you know you'll want another baby eventually, not a bad idea to invest now.

 

[fossie]

Rae or Luster - I meant to ask, do you experience cramping regularly? I've had a fair amount of cramping and it's kind of freaking me out. I've read online that I really shouldn't worry unless the cramps are severe and/or include bleeding, but it's hard not to worry. I've never been pregnant so I'm totally in the dark on what to expect! Tuesday I will be 4 weeks, I wonder if it happens throughout the whole pregnancy?

 

[raelynn]

Cramps are completely normal. It is just your uterus stretching and making room for baby. I get them now and then, especially if I stretch weird or stand up fast. They're probably still there but since morning sickness has set in I feel like my focus is more on how my stomach is feeling rather than the cramping. I feel like I had more with my first too.

 

[Mhankins]

Started my cycle today, feels like were getting the ball rolling but it is still a waiting game haha..They need to call me back to schedule a HSG, anyone else have this? We also need to go over the ordering process with them, apparently they do the ordering. We were going to order a couple vials and with any luck we can store the unused ones for a later date.

Fossie we had the same situation as yours but decided to pick another donor similar that was CMV-. You said your donor no longer has any IUI left. Is ICI an option? Our doctor said that if IUI wasn't available they can use ICI and wash it themselves which is a $100 fee but it evens out to the price of an IUI vial. At least with the bank (fairfax) we are using. Maybe that is an option for you as well? This is what we have to do because our donor doesn't have any IUI vials either.

I just wanted to say too that I am so excited to see your guys pregnancy talks it makes me excited for you guys and I can only hope that I join you soon, that we all join you soon.

 

[Savasanna]

I did the ICI instead of IUI route once because my cryobank (Pacific Reproductive) called me the DAY OF shipping to tell me that my donor was out of IUI vials. They said the same thing - just have your obgyn wash the ICI vial and you'll be good to go. I even double checked with my obgyn and the call center people supposedly spoke with my doctor who endorsed this plan. .... And then I showed up for the IUIs and my doctor was all "why did you order the ICI? That was a terrible idea and not one to do again". I don't know whether they have an inferior process to wash the machine but they said they 'lost some" in the washing process.

However - I've had so many mixed messages from that office that I don't know who to believe anymore.. Just thought I'd throw my story out there for whatever it's worth.

___

You guys are SO sweet. This month has been trying and to see that you all took the time to send such positive thoughts my way is really touching. I know it may sound silly - but it really made me feel better this morning. Thank you! I'm glad you've stuck around!

I agree with Mhanks and can't WAIT to join you.

Mhankins - Picking a donor is such a weird/funny process. We spent like a month choosing ours and looked at almost every picture from every Italian donor (my wife is Italian) that we could find before finally picking one. Then once we found out that he was out of IUI vials we thought we were going to have to pick a new one. That one we picked in about 10 minutes. Found one - bought the pic - looks good enough - ok. Done deal. We never ended up using him as my brother-in-law is tentatively back in the picture (I still think he may flake out on us.. jury's still out on that one) but at least we have one picked out.

Good luck with your cycle! So you're looking at an IUI probably somewhere around the 17th or so? If we can get everything in order in time I might be about a week behind you!

 

[fossie]

Raelynn - thank you, that makes me feel better! It's so hard not to be paranoid about every little thing!

mhankins - that's exciting that you're on cd1, it'll all happen fast now! I did have an HSG and it was pretty darn uncomfortable. I just closed my eyes and took deep breaths and prayed that it would be over soon, ha! They told me to take 4 ibuprofen an hour before the procedure to help with the discomfort.

The only vials my donor has left available are ART vials, which I'm pretty sure are for IVF only, the count is really low. So if ICI does come available, I would definitely consider it. I'm really hoping that more IUI ones come available!

Savasanna - fingers crossed that everything comes together for you this month! It's funny, when I was younger and not even thinking about TTC, pregnancy seemed like such a no-brainer, easy thing. Now I completely understand the small window of opportunity and how every month matters! So I get how you're feeling. But sounds like everything is shifting in the right direction.

 

[raelynn]

mhankins - My clinic said the same. They wash the sample themselves no matter what so we could order whatever type was available. Unfortunately, our donor must have stopped donating all together because he is sold out and inactive (we also used Fairfax) But it all worked out assuming this pregnancy goes to term.

Savasanna - That is so strange that your clinic got upset for you ordering a different wash type. I guess they don't all handle them the same. Hoping your donor situation works out!

fossie - Glad to help! There is so much to worry about, every new stage comes with new worries I feel. And it never ends, even after baby is here.

AFM - I had my second scan today. Baby is measuring right on target and we saw a heartbeat measuring 168bpm. I got discharged from the fertility specialist today since we'll be away when my 3rd and final scan would have been. I have to call my OB now to schedule an appointment.

 

[Mhankins]

Yea I would say around then. I am really nervous for the HSG, which has been schedule for Monday in the afternoon. I just feel like it is going to hurt. Maybe because I was told several times they recommend taking 600mg of ibuprofen and hour before... at least it seems like a one time thing.

Savasanna I hope everything falls in place for you guys and this will be our month! Woo! Hehe

Fossie I am sure I will be the same way as you and be worried about every little thing. I think because of what we need to do to get to that point makes up more sensitive to things other people wouldn't normally think about.

 

[raelynn]

My HSG wasn't very painful. For me, it was just a little more uncomfortable than a pap smear. I had some mild cramping afterwards but nothing terrible. Hopefully yours will be like mine! I did take the ibuprofen ahead of time too.

 

[Mhankins]

I hope so too! Thanks for the comforting words

 

[fossie]

Rae- that's great about your scan!! It's gotta be amazing to hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time. How many weeks along are you now?

I got my second beta yesterday, it's 577 which seems a little high for 15dpo/iui, but I've read enough about all women being different and not to read too far into those numbers. Go back in Thursday morning, she said they'll likely do 2 more betas before scheduling my first u/s.

Excited to be on this journey with all of you ladies!

 

[Mhankins]

So exciting!

 

[Savasanna]

ohhhhh, Fossie.. High beta = twins??

 

[Savasanna]

My update - I just heard from our donor and he thinks he'll be available to visit the 19 - 21st. As long as my clinic has an available appointment on those days we should be all set for a November try!

 

[raelynn]

Savasanna - Great news!

Fossie - I'm going to be 8 weeks on Wednesday. I had 4 betas before my first ultrasound too. Then I would have had 3 ultrasounds with the fertility clinic but we have a trip scheduled that interferes with the last ultrasound so they discharged me early since they're not allowed to keep you after 10 weeks.

 

[Mhankins]

Savasanna- That's great news! Hope it all works out!

 

[lusterleaf]

Forgive me since I haven't checked in a few days...

Savasanna great news! Hoping November is your month.

Fossie so glad to hear about your BFP! I also had high betas with my first. My first beta was in the 300's and second in the 500's but there was only one baby in there! I also did 3 betas because they weren't doubling and I was a nervous wreck, but all turned out okay.

Rae that must have been wonderful to hear the HB.

So I had my first scan today at 5w4d and saw a yolk sac... I go back next Wednesday to hopefully see a heartbeat!!

 

[Mhankins]

Sounds very exciting Lusterleaf!