And We're Off!!!

The IVF process has officially begun in our house! Right now it's SUPER easy, but it's a step in the right direction at least! I started my first round of birth control pills today, along with a baby aspirin each day. The baby aspirin (otherwise known as low dose 81mg)is to help with good blood flow, specifically to the uterus and other reproductive organs. As I briefly explained in a past post, the birth control takes control of my ovaries to prevent my body from ovulating on its own. Since the clinic I go to is on the small side they put all IVF patients on the same cycle each month. This makes scheduling MUCH easier for the office staff. The doctor only has 2-3 days out of the month when he is doing retrievals and transfers, instead of randomly all month long. The birth control is the first step in getting my cycle in sync with all the other women who will be going through IVF in April as well.

Next Monday I have pre-cycle blood work and another ultrasound. The blood work is done to test for any infectious diseases, blood type, Rh factor, and any other antibodies that may potentially reject the embryos once they're transfered. The ultrasound will hopefully come back free and clear! Keep your fingers crossed that the tissue string he found last time has gone away. I REALLY don't want to have it taken out!

If you are looking for good info on infertility, whether you are experiencing infertility first hand or are the friend/family of an infertile, the book to the right, "Navigating the Land of IF" is an amazing resource for understanding procedures, medicines, the range of disorders causing infertility, and other methods of building a family. It has helped ease my fears and answered many questions I've had about this process. It was written by a women who went through infertility for many years, so she knows first hand what this feels like. I am incredibly grateful every day for the support system Matthew and I have. Everyone has been more supportive than we ever could've hoped for, but there is something even more comfortating about hearing from those who have gone through what we're experiencing.

On a totally non-related note, doggy sitting went well :o) Sophie wasn't exactly happy to have another dog in her house. She was kind of a brat actually, but of course, by the time Harli was picked up to go home, they were actually becoming pretty good buddies. We were able to lie on the couch with both of them, and they had no problems with it. Major progress! She definitely enjoyed her birthday presents though. Sophie turned 2 last Friday, and has had a good time with her new toys and LOVES the new treats we bought!