Climbing the Fertility Mountain

Insemination #3 - Third Time's a Charm?? Welcome back to the two week wait! This IUI cycle was a little more eventful than the first two. It started with my baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3. The ultrasound revealed a large cyst in the left ovary, which sometimes happens with the Clomid medication. This was nothing to be alarmed by, just a left over follicle from the previous cycle that had not fully dissolved yet. However, there was a chance that my IUI cycle would be cancelled, if the cyst was producing Estrogen, so I had a blood draw to check my Estradiol level. Thankfully, my levels were normal, so the doctor gave the go ahead to continue the cycle as planned.  My baseline ultrasound showing the large cyst During the mid-cycle ultrasound the cyst was gone. Instead, we saw four beginning follicles, one in the right ovary and three in the left, but they were all too small, between 11-13 mm. The doctors want to see the follicles larger than 18 mm before scheduling the IUI. So I ...

Well, our second IUI failed. Another month of waiting, hoping, and ultrasounds awaits. I have started my third IUI cycle and will provide more details as the cycle continues. This cycle is going to be our last effort before pursuing IVF. I am hopeful, but still staying realistic. The doctor doubled my Clomid prescription with the hopes of increasing follicle stimulation. But I'm still mentally preparing myself for the possibility of IVF, which is a much more intense and invasive procedure.  One positive I've found through this journey is the infertility community on Instagram. There are several accounts I have started following of women who are going through similar journeys. I've even found a few infertility support Zoom meetings that I've started attending. Infertility can feel extremely lonely, with very few people around you who really understand what you are going through, but these ladies are strong and courageous to share their stories and have helped me feel str...