Quatro

This morning was attempt #4 at becoming a momma bear.  I arrived at the lab only to find out my guy's counts for this vial were a measly 10 million---7 million less than last time!  The sperm bank guarantees 20 and boasts this donor should be around 60 million post-thaw, but he's nowhere near that.  The clinic prefers to have at least 5 million to do an IUI, so 10 is just fine, but when you're paying over $200 for that vial and they say there should be 60, you want 60!!  So they're going to get in touch with the bank to see if I can have a refund, especially for the first specimens since 2 of the 3 of those counts did not meet the 20 million guarantee.  Feeling somewhat disappointed but anxious to try again, I schlepped across the hospital with my "swim team" in hand and made my way to the fertility clinic.  I'm telling you---there's nothing like standing at the front desk holding a biohazard baggie in your hand with about a dozen or more people in the waiting room!  The first time, I was embarrassed.  Now, I could care less.  It is still embarrassing, however, to come out of the andrology lab carrying said baggie because to get to and from the lab, you must walk through a surgical waiting room (and I would like to know the genius that thought of that one).  Not so bad on a Saturday or Sunday morning when the lights are still off, but on a Friday, it's packed with people trying to pass the time and you're just one more thing to distract them from waiting on news of a relative.

Today, the procedure went great.  So far, my cycle has fallen so that I end up having the same nurse every time.  This time, I had the other nurse (who is just as nice) and I couldn't help but get good vibes about how it all went.  Normally, I have a lot of cramping during the procedure and it continues to get worse throughout the day, which is why I don't go to work.  Hobbling around quickly all day just doesn't seem like something I want to do---I'd rather move as little as possible!  Anyway, the first good thing that happened was the catheter slid right in this time.  My uterus is slightly tipped and it can sometimes take a little finagling to get it to the right spot.  Nope, it just went home to do its' thing.  It surprised the nurse how easily it went in and she remarked that maybe that was a good sign.  When it first went in was the only time I felt cramping; I didn't feel any when the "swim team" was being jettisoned to the back of my uterus!!  The second good thing to happen with today's procedure is I have yet to feel the magnitude of cramping I usually feel afterwords.  It was pretty painless today and has remained so thus far!  

I did a bit of light necessary shopping (herbs and my most favorite butter I can only find at Woodman's) and then I drove out of my way to Tom's Drive-In for a nice, comforting double cheeseburger with Tom sauce.  Mmmm.  And then home I went.

So now I'm blogging about my procedure while sipping raspberry leaf tea (omg, I hate tea and this is disgusting, I'm practically gagging) because I was told it is a natural way to thicken your uterine lining.  And since mine is thinner than they'd like, I'll do anything!  I will also start up on Prometrium again on Monday and continue with that until I either get my period (I'd better not!!) or if I end up pregnant, they'll keep me on it for the first couple months to help prevent miscarriage. 

That is all I know for a couple weeks.  I think I'll do some of the things on that "What to do during the TWW" list...or maybe I'll do all of them!  :D

Cheers!!