IUI #2 Results

In February, we did another round of fertility treatments. This month we did Clomid + a monitored cycle + intrauterine insemination (IUI). What that means, is I started the month taking a medication called Clomid to help my body prepare for ovulation. Next, my doctor monitored me for ovulation through ultrasounds and blood work. Between the two ultrasounds I took another hormone pill to help thicken the lining of my uterus, and once I was nearing the time of ovulation, my husband gave me a trigger shot to induce ovulation. 36 hours after the shot, we had an IUI done, and then wait two weeks for a pregnancy test. To read in more detail what this past month was like, check out my post about Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Number 2. 

This week marked the end of our two week wait. I had a pretty strong feeling going into this week that I was not pregnant, but I still did the blood test to confirm (which it did). I had my blood work done in the morning, and then I headed to work. By the time I got to work that day, I had already started my period. This confirmed my suspicions that I am not pregnant. The bad news is, I'm not pregnant, and this cycle did not work. There is a tiny bit of good news though, and that is my cycle was 27 days long this month. That is the most normal length cycle I've had in 15 months, so although not the news we were hoping for, we did at least make progress this month! I called my doctor's office and let them know that I started my period, and the nurse and I made a game plan for next month. 

March will be very similar to February: Clomid on cycle days 3-7, ultrasound and blood work on cycle day 10, and depending what the results are from the ultrasound and blood work, we will either schedule a second round of ultrasounds and blood work, or we will go ahead and schedule when Lee will give me the trigger shot, and when we will have the IUI done. After the IUI, we will schedule a pregnancy test for 2 weeks later. 

The only thing that will be different this month is we will increase my Clomid dose from 100 mg to 150 mg, and we will meet with our doctor for a consultation in between our two week wait. Lee and I haven't actually seen the doctor since early January, since the nurses in the office are the ones who do my ultrasounds, blood work, and IUI's. (On a side note: These nurses are rock stars, and they really can do it all! This process has definitely increased my appreciation for the nursing profession.) Anytime I have questions or we make updates to our plan, the nurses consult with the doctor, but usually it is a nurse who calls me back. So this time, Lee and I will actually meet with the doctor and talk about our progress so far, and make a plan going forward in case the 3rd IUI does not work, and talk about what to expect if the IUI is successful. Initially when we met with our doctor to talk about starting fertility treatments, he recommended that we start with IUI, but he does not typically recommend more than 3 cycles. So if this third cycle does not work, it is likely that we will change our treatment plan going forward. 

Of course Lee and I are disappointed that this month was not successful, especially since we added in the trigger shot, but we know that this is all part of God's plan. We know that we are at least another month closer to God's perfect timing of us getting pregnant, and are praying that March will be the month. I will be sure to keep you all posted on our progress. Thanks for reading, and thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. Lee and I appreciate each and every one of you.