It’s Go Time – The final step of the IUI Process

The Cycle Day 1

The day most women dread, the first day of their cycle. For someone who has had nonexistent periods the last two year getting my period this month was thrilling because it meant I was finally able to move forward with the process. Conceptions was able to get me on the schedule pretty quick for my first ultrasound. This is the first step to the IUI, they check to make sure that there are no cysts in the way of a follicle growing. Luckily later that day I got the call to start the medication.

Cycle Day 2

After receiving the call that I was in the clear, it was time to start my first medication. I was prescribed Letrozole. This medication is considered a first-choice option for improving fertility in people with PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). It will also be a drug that will help stimulate ovulation in women. I would be taking Letrozole until cycle day 8. The side effects were luckily pretty mellow. Mostly felt tired and had slight headaches but nothing that I would not be able to handle.

Cycle Day 10

After a week of taking Letrozole it was time to go in for the next ultrasound. Since it was my first cycle with conceptions they wanted to catch me early to make sure I did not ovulate early. Which made sense to me because when I had regular cycles before the ectopic pregnancy I would ovulate early. Luckily the ultrasounds are quick and easy. No pain or anything, the ultrasound tech brought me to the back room where I would wait for the nurse. Results are in…. good news I have 2 Follicles!!! both were measuring at 10mm. This would be too small for them to be mature as they should be 14mm to be mature but IUI wont happen unless the follicles are 17-18mm. The nurse said they usually grow 2mm a day so I would then have to wait to go back in a few days.

Cycle Day 13

Back in the Ultrasound room for the third time this cycle. Hoping that the follicles would be at least 16mm. I get the ultrasound done and head back to the room and wait again. Results are in… bad news, I am being put back on Letrozole because my body won’t do what it is suppose to do. In three damn days my follicles only grew 1mm. Both were measuring at 11mm. How could this be happening? Why is this happening. Can’t my body just do what it is made to do? This left me feeling so defeated. Something I have wanted my entire life feels so impossible.

Cycle Day 17

Do I have any hope left? Maybe a little. Enough to keep me going to these appointments. For the 4th time I go and walk to the ultrasound room. Soon I get undressed from the waist down and sit on the table with my feet in the stirrups, I take a deep breath and in my mind telling myself… I am loved, I am safe, and I am supported. The lights turned on and the ultrasound tech told me there was some good news. My FOLLICLES GREW! Tears filled my eyes in a relief. This just might be able to move forward.

Again, I was taken back to the room where I would meet the nurse. She let me know that I was able to move forward. My follicles were at 17mm and 13mm. On Saturday night, cycle day 18, I would take the trigger shot which is a hormone shot which will trigger my eggs to be mature for the IUI. The IUI would take place on cycle day 20. This would allow my 17mm follicle to become at least 18mm and my 13mm follicle to become mature. This was finally happening after 2 years of dealing with infertility.

Cycle Day 20

This is the day! After the trigger shot I became very tired. There was also positive ovulation test, which I have not seen in two years. But I am able to relax and breathe through the fear. We woke up and headed straight to Conceptions to receive my first IUI.

I get called back after an hour of waiting for them to do what they needed for the insemination. Again I get undressed from the waist down, lay down on a table with my feet in the stirrups. A little pressure and boom I was done. The most uncomfortable part of this day was sitting for 15 minutes with my hips elevated. But It was finally done. Now is the two week wait.

I would be lying if I was I wasn’t emotional. There are so many mixed emotions that comes along with infertility.
-What happens if this still doesn’t work? — oh but what if it does ♥️
I am so ready for this, I’ve prayed for this, I want this.

Next Steps

After the IUI was finished the nurse stated, “Well I will be the first to say, you are pregnant, unless the tests tells you otherwise”. So when can I test? I will be allowed to test to see if this pregnancy is a dream come true in two weeks. In the meantime the doctors have prescribes me with progesterone to give my body what it needs to continue to give my body what it needs for a healthy pregnancy. Another part of what I will be doing is practicing my breathing and finding ways to stay relaxed. Luckily school is beginning so I will have my mind busy. This will be the longest yet the quickest two weeks of my life. I continue to pray for this rainbow baby. I believe that this is the time. In the mean time…. WE PRAY, WE HOPE, AND WE WAIT.

If you are going through something similar and need advice… My advice is to find those you trust to talk to about the pain you go through. I have found my circle of people that have truly helped me. Some in which I have met, and some in which I only know through social media. Either way they have stuck by me, prayed with me, cried with me, and simply just been there when I need it. Please do not feel alone on this journey. Please reach out if you need any tips and tricks. So many of us do. Infertility is the worst club to be in, but it has some of the best people in it….