Yesterday was the big day

We had our first IUI yesterday.  It was a non-event.  The whole thing went something like this...

Kristen and I waited in the waiting room nervously for about 20 minutes.  The nurse walked by all cute and pregnant. She was probably 110 pounds before getting pregnant... she is just a little person.  Well, she is one of those adorable little pregnant ladies that makes everyone want to be pregnant.  As she walked past I said to Kristen "you know that I am not going to be cute like that when I am pregnant.  I am going to be huge and waddle like a duck."  She started laughing hysterically and I went on to tell her that I just needed her to know the reality of the situation.  (I am not a small person and pregnancy is going to be splendid, but I am not going to be little and cute.)

Once the nurse called us in to the office she had us sign a bunch of papers and explained what an IUI is.  I am sure that it is necessary, but do people sign up for said procedure without knowing what is going to happen?  She was very sweet and before she left the room she smiled and said "good luck." 

Then our doctor came in, confirmed that I had taken Clomid for 5 days toward the start of my cycle, taken 10,000IUs of HCG the day before, and then shot me up with millions of swimmers.  She literally put the speculum in and then said "we're all done."  It was so quick and easy I couldn't even believe it!  She said that I had a "happy cervix" (that it is open and has plenty of cervical mucus) so she thinks that we hit my ovulation perfectly.  I was very happy to hear that because I am always worried that our timing isn't right.  She then said "let's hope you don't get a period in two weeks, good luck" and walked out of the room.  It was literally 5 minutes and $308 later and I may have the makings of a baby in my uterus! 

I had a lot of cramping yesterday afternoon and some today, but nothing too bad.  I am not sure whether to take it easy or go about my life as usual.  I keep thinking "there could be a baby in there."  I know that I just have to live my life (and try to stay distracted) for the next two weeks, but damn is it hard.  For now, we are 1 day down and 13 to go in our TWW.  Here's hoping!!! :)
-Ashley

How can they do that?

Even though we are in our two week wait, I am looking around at different reproductive clinics to try to find a place to do IUI next month.  It was only our third ICI (and we don't even know if it worked or not), but it is probably time to have a doctor help with this process. 

So, I just called reproductive clinic in our area and asked about the associated fees.  First off, they require a bunch of blood work and a first office visit... understandable.  After that, the cost seems a little crazy.  They said that you need to have an X-ray of your uterus.  Now, for anyone that knows me, you know that I am TOTALLY organic and avoid anything that may be potentially harmful to me (or my children) in the future.  I avoid things like X-rays like the plague... now why would I want to expose my baby making region to harmful electromagnetic rays???  Call me crazy, but that seems a little counter productive. 

Next, they told me that if we planned on using donor sperm that we would need to go see a social worker for an evaluation before you can proceed.  Is this normal procedure for all clinics?  Kristen and I have spent a lot of time weighing out options, talking to my primary care doctor, friends and family.  Now I have to qualify my decision with a professional???  So, I got off the phone and cried a little bit.  I just feel like there are a million obstacles put up in front of us.  We will be good, loving parents so why do I need to prove myself time and time again when there are so many people that have children that they never even wanted???  I feel a little defeated today.  I guess I should just relax a little bit and wait to see if I am even pregnant before I freak out completely. :)

On a much happier note... Kristen, Banjo (our dog), and I went away over Columbus Day weekend.  It was so awesome because the foliage was beautiful; we got to relax, and had some hiking adventures.  Every time I have the opportunity to spend time with Kristen, I fall in love with her all over.  It sounds corny, but we rarely see each other, so I feel like it is important that I feel so in love when we do get to hang out.  Banjo had the best time ever.  He loves to be in the woods, so being at a camp near a river (that he wouldn't stop playing in) and going hiking was the best!  I am really happy that we had the chance to do that. 

I have had a couple really weird dreams this week... I hope that means that we are pregnant.  I am trying really hard not to get my hopes up this time.  It feels like a major loss each time it doesn't work so I have to remain as level headed as possible.