First Clinic visit and a million questions - Page 2

[TheGirls]

Sasshell, I did want to note that in spite of all the tests this month, the clinic seems willing to do the actual insemination month without any intervention (except the IUI). The dr said she won't give me any meds unless they find a problem in the tests or I don't get pregnant in the first few cycles. Basically I call them when I think I'm ovulating and we do an IUI then (and another the next day).

[mamimapster]

Hey there! We are using MSB also, and have been very happy with them- we had both a very good and a very bad experience with another sperm bank, and switched to MSB because we were told by our clinic (CWHC- if you are in chicago and paying out of pocket for IUI's check them out- they are awesome). That the owner of MSB would both hand deliver tanks and allow pickups for local customers. We loved that because we had leaky tanks shipped from our old bank two months in a row, and because they were in california the new tanks couldn't be shipped until after i'd already O'ed: :

[Satori]

IUI vs ICI really is a personal choice, I know I would never get preg using IUI because I have a very difficult time not having panic attacks getting in the stirrups and I would stress so much I wouldn't ovulate. I've seen stats from my bank that show ICI is slightly better with preg rates because your insemming on your schedule when you think its time and not on a Dr's schedule who may not be available at 2am when that could be your best time to insem. You only have a few hours where the egg is really good then it starts to degrade and if you ovulate at say 7pm Monday and you can't even do IUI until 8am Tuesday the egg has already started to degrade and my actually be dead by the time the sperm gets to it.

[auntofmany]

clarification, please

My partner and I are in the beginning stages of ALL OF THIS STUFF and this thread has been very helpful. Just for clarification purposes, can you please tell us the difference between IUI and ICI??? Also, are any of you out there more "mature" in age going through this? I am 38 and my partner is 30--I am the one interested in carrying the baby and I know after 35 it goes downhill...just want to know if any of you are going through that as well. Thank you!

[jentina]

Good luck, Angela!

mamimapster--Thanks for the info about CWHC. We're considering using them if I don't get pregnant next cycle (assuming I'm not right now!)

Auntofmany--Good question. I always get confused, too, and have to look it up. IUI is intra-uterine insemination. I hope I spelled that right. It's when the sperm is inserted through the cervix directly into the uterus. Usually it has to be done in a clinic--unless you have a partner with some special skills or can get someone who knows what they're doing to come to you. It's good because it by-passes the cervix and any cervical mucous issues you might have. I think you need to have more precise timing in some ways. ICI is what you can do at home by using a syringe and inserting the sperm into the vagina (I think C stands for cervix.) You need to coincide the inseminations with fertile mucous. If you don't have it already, read The Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth by Stephanie Brill. It explains these procedures (and others) in great detail. It also addresses women of all ages.

[TheGirls]

Another difference between IUI and ICI is the preparation of the sperm sample. ICI sperm is pretty much semen, though frozen if you're doing an anonymous donor. IUI sperm has to be "washed" to get rid of the semen and the dead sperm and such (since those shouldn't be in your uterus). The disadvantage there is that the washing reduces the life of the sperm (as does freezing) so it makes the timing more challenging.

mamimapster, I am in chicago and paying out of pocket, so I may get in touch with them if I have issues, but currently I'm at North Shore Fertility in Skokie, which is really convienient (<10mins) to my work.

I think we've settled on IUI for the first 3 cycles, then we'll reevaluate if that doesn't work. I don't get particularly stressed about the stirrups thing, fortunately, but I am TERRIFIED of hospitals, so that'll get cute later on. Weirdly, doctors offices don't bug me. I considered a nap during the ultrasound. Right up until the tech started saying "where is that ovary....hmm can't find it....it has to be in here somewhere....you do have ovaries right?...why is it hiding from me?..."

Yeah. Nearly strangled her. Turns out I do, in fact, have normal looking ovaries.

Tomorrow is the HSG, fun fun...

[mama2rey]

I want to second the CWHC they are AWESOME!!!! They did not do my insemination because it was fresh sperm, however they did meet with me, and they pretty much talked me through the process. I freaked out about stuff too when I first inseminated. I called them and they were really great about answering questions.

They also have a support group that meets once a month. DP and I go every month and really enjoy it.

[TheGirls]

OK, so the HSG thing definitely hurt more than I had expected! When that woman says "you're going to feel a bit of cramping now..." she's not kidding...

But it looked good, so all I have left now are the "day 21" tests, which I can't take until next cycle since I'll be travelling at that time this month.

Hmmm...it sounds like I really should look into CWHC. Is that support group only for CWHC patients, expectantmami, or can anyone go? That seems like ti could be valuable. (We're new to the city and my partner travels a lot...so I'm very much looking to meet people here!)

Thanks all!

[mama2rey]

Originally Posted by TheGirls

OK, so the HSG thing definitely hurt more than I had expected! When that woman says "you're going to feel a bit of cramping now..." she's not kidding...

But it looked good, so all I have left now are the "day 21" tests, which I can't take until next cycle since I'll be travelling at that time this month.

Hmmm...it sounds like I really should look into CWHC. Is that support group only for CWHC patients, expectantmami, or can anyone go? That seems like ti could be valuable. (We're new to the city and my partner travels a lot...so I'm very much looking to meet people here!)

Thanks all!

I think anyone can go. We meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm-All you have to do is call ahead and sign up. The number is 773.935.6126, AI's extension is 23. Let me know if your coming so that I know to introduce myself!

[TheGirls]

Originally Posted by expectantmami

I think anyone can go. We meet the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm-All you have to do is call ahead and sign up. The number is 773.935.6126, AI's extension is 23. Let me know if your coming so that I know to introduce myself!

Well, it won't be happening this month, since we're going on a big trip next week (China!!), but I'll definitely look into it for June. I'll keep you posted.

[mama2rey]

Originally Posted by TheGirls

Well, it won't be happening this month, since we're going on a big trip next week (China!!), but I'll definitely look into it for June. I'll keep you posted.

Have fun in China!!! Please keep me posted.

[TheGirls]

Well, we're back from China - it was a great trip!

Now I'm waiting to ovulate so I can call the clinic for the "day 21" tests. Is this one just blood tests or are they going to have to do another vaginal thing? I was NOT a fan of the HSG and would be quite happy to do blood only....

I'm calling this week about that meeting, expectantmami.

[mama2rey]

Originally Posted by TheGirls

Well, we're back from China - it was a great trip!

Now I'm waiting to ovulate so I can call the clinic for the "day 21" tests. Is this one just blood tests or are they going to have to do another vaginal thing? I was NOT a fan of the HSG and would be quite happy to do blood only....

I'm calling this week about that meeting, expectantmami.

Great! This is the one month that we can't go! I have a work function that I have to attend! I'll be there in July though.