The next step

Prof. Hope was in a very funny mood today. He grabbed a piece of paper and looked at me and said "Now sit still". Then he started drawing a rough sketch of the female form. He made out he was doing my portrait. He said "now this is you - all you need to get pregnant is for (1) adequate sperm in at the right time, (2) Ovulating well and in a good day and (3) the right hormones to support a pregnancy. You have all three, so you come under the "unexplained" umbrella of people".

He said we basically have three options:

1. Continue on as we are and cross our fingers
2. Try Ovulation Induction for a few cycles
3. Go straight to IVF (do not pass GO, do not collect $200).

His recommendation is to try Ovulation Induction for 2-3 cycles and then go to IVF. But he said he would happily set us up for IVF straight away.

He doesn't think that IUI would help (where they insert the sperm as close to Ovulation as they can). He said that although we only seem to get 2-3 babydancing sessions at a time, we time it perfectly every time, so he isn't too worried about that. He said that we have to stop stressing about it and stop getting worried about not doing it enough etc.

So we have decided to give Ovulation Induction a go. It is going to be tough. This is what Mari does so I will have a great person to guide me through the process - same clinic too. It involves me injecting myself every day with FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and blood tests twice a week. Closer to O I will have ultrasounds to see what the follicles are doing. Then I think there is a trigger shot (not exactly sure on that one), and then we babydance (if we can). Then more blood tests and ultrasounds (oh joy).

He did tell us that this process comes with a greater risk of twins than clomid does, but we don't care at all. He said not more than twins which is interesting.

So I have this cycle off. He told me I could do another clomid if I wanted to, but I am having a break. I need to prepare myself for the month ahead.

I have more blood tests to do now, and another baseline ultrasound and once that is done, he has to put the government forms in for us to be allowed the drugs, then I will get the scripts filled and contact my nurse (I have a nurse! hehe, I am so spoilt), who will monitor my cycle for me.

So as soon as AF has finished I will do the ultrasound and blood tests. I will try to organise this tomorrow. Then I need to try to discuss with work that I might be in late some days with going down to get the blood tests twice a week.

I think that is it. I am 2-3 months away from the scary IVF. Let's hope I don't need it.

Mari - tell me if I got any of this wrong. I am not sure I have it all right.