Hi all,
I'm a newbie here, and was encouraged by the women over in Queer Conceptions to start a new thread to get the wisdom of those TTC, those currently pregnant, and those thrilled mamas. There were a few folks who chimed in to say they would also be interested in the conversation.
I had no idea what to title this, since I certainly don't want to sound judgey with a "things I would do differently" or "do-over" thread. So mods, feel free to editorialize as needed.
My wife (34) and I (38) are about to start TTC, and we have been ravenously reading everything we can to learn more about the best process and how to optimize our chances (ironically enough she's a PhD specializing in biological development - just wasn't focused on the human kind). We've had 3 separate meetings with our (very LGBT-friendly) doctor, have picked out our (frozen, WTBK) donor, and have set up a meeting with an in-home midwife to start planning for our first IUI at the end of February. We have the "Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians" book (I keep emailing with Maia and they've been saying Stephanie Brill's new book is coming out in May 2012. Then Nov 2012. Not sure where they're at now).
Although I'm 38, I'll be carrying, and have been charting as well as evaluating CM (although for the love of Mike, I don't know how y'all touch your cervix so easy. Is this board part Cirque de Soleil?!?).
That being said, there's all sorts of stuff we are coming across that we hadn't seen in our readings. For example (and I realize this is a medical option so I apologize - not trying to pick something conflict-y to start) - the idea of doing an ultrasound to get the O timing just right, in combination with a trigger shot. While we were aware that time was not on our side in terms of age (which is why we skipped straight to IUI), after realizing we could purchase a pretty decent used automobile for the price of 2 vials + 2 IUI's per cycle, we're even more inspired to really get this right.
SOooo..... my questions to everyone:
I know this could be a challenging topic, and I'm not trying to pick at scabs - I promise. I welcome learning about medical and non-interventional methods. My wife is a PhD biologist so we will want to consider both sides of the coin to make the most informed decision for us.
Many, many thanks in advance for your generosity ladies, and apologies for the tome.
Ultimate
I'm a newbie here, and was encouraged by the women over in Queer Conceptions to start a new thread to get the wisdom of those TTC, those currently pregnant, and those thrilled mamas. There were a few folks who chimed in to say they would also be interested in the conversation.
I had no idea what to title this, since I certainly don't want to sound judgey with a "things I would do differently" or "do-over" thread. So mods, feel free to editorialize as needed.
My wife (34) and I (38) are about to start TTC, and we have been ravenously reading everything we can to learn more about the best process and how to optimize our chances (ironically enough she's a PhD specializing in biological development - just wasn't focused on the human kind). We've had 3 separate meetings with our (very LGBT-friendly) doctor, have picked out our (frozen, WTBK) donor, and have set up a meeting with an in-home midwife to start planning for our first IUI at the end of February. We have the "Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians" book (I keep emailing with Maia and they've been saying Stephanie Brill's new book is coming out in May 2012. Then Nov 2012. Not sure where they're at now).
Although I'm 38, I'll be carrying, and have been charting as well as evaluating CM (although for the love of Mike, I don't know how y'all touch your cervix so easy. Is this board part Cirque de Soleil?!?).
That being said, there's all sorts of stuff we are coming across that we hadn't seen in our readings. For example (and I realize this is a medical option so I apologize - not trying to pick something conflict-y to start) - the idea of doing an ultrasound to get the O timing just right, in combination with a trigger shot. While we were aware that time was not on our side in terms of age (which is why we skipped straight to IUI), after realizing we could purchase a pretty decent used automobile for the price of 2 vials + 2 IUI's per cycle, we're even more inspired to really get this right.
SOooo..... my questions to everyone:
- What are your current "best practices" every month? (e.g., how many times a day do you use an OPK? Do you also use saliva ferning tests? Do you inseminate with two vials or one?)
- How has what you're currently doing shape-shifted from what you started doing when TTC, and why?
- Other advice?
I know this could be a challenging topic, and I'm not trying to pick at scabs - I promise. I welcome learning about medical and non-interventional methods. My wife is a PhD biologist so we will want to consider both sides of the coin to make the most informed decision for us.
Many, many thanks in advance for your generosity ladies, and apologies for the tome.
Ultimate