Hope: Our Official Infertility Plan
“I’m going to be totally up front with you,” our RE assured us, ”if you were sitting across from me and you had never achieved a pregnancy, I would suggest we go straight to IVF.”
Gulp.
He then went on to list the numerous things that we have going for us…
- We know that we can achieve pregnancy, having gotten pregnant three times on our own.
- My ovarian reserve is great…no signs of peri-menopause.
- My fallopian tubes are wide open.
- An ultrasound confirmed that I ovulated this month.
- Craig’s sperm count is more than ample.
So, given all of those things, he would like to see us begin with Clomid and IUIs.
And, while I’m comforted by all that we have going for us, I’m more confused than ever about why we’ve been unable to get pregnant on our own.
Our RE explained that even at the peak of our fertility, in our 20s, the chances of getting pregnant in any given cycle aren’t nearly as high as we are led to believe.
And, as we all know, those chances drop drastically after the age of 35.
We’ll try three cycles of Clomid and IUIs and if we’re unsuccessful, we’ll move on to injectables, which scare me, to be honest. And the needles scare me a whole lot less than the increased chances of multiples.
So, while we weren’t given any ready answers or promises of a smooth road ahead, I walked away from today’s appointment feeling optimistic, though guardedly so.
I appreciated our RE’s honesty and that he focused on setting realistic expectations.
On day one of our next cycle, we’ll begin our journey.
And while the road ahead may be bumpy, I think we’re up for it.
That’s a beautiful quote about HOPE. Hold onto it, bumps and all.
You’ve been chosen for this journey for a reason no matter how hard it is. I know that can be hard to hear when you are drifting in the ocean amongst 40 ft waves but I believe with everything in my heart that is true. You know I’ll be praying for you. Hugs my friend!
I have hope for you, Nichole! Good luck!! <3
I’m just so happy that you have a PLAN! Sending you lots of love, luck and hope! xoxo
I think of this as one of the toughest roads for young married people. Went through something similar and it’s no fun and games. The best of luck to the both of you. Just an fyi though for all others in similar circumstances—we couldn’t financially afford most of the procedures that our RE recommended, so we ended up doing a natural alternative (cost effective). Do your homework, but it worked for us. It was a royal jelly/supplement kit called Beefertile. Good luck to everyone who goes down this road!!!
That quote about hope sums it all up…and I feel that you might have some more of that hope stored up after the visit with the RE.
I appreciate the fact that he was honest and no-nonsense with you two. Now, on to the next step, and I’m here for it all.
You sound like one of the most down to earth people that write about infertility. You’re completely right about the injectables. My triplets are way way scarier than and needle could ever be. Remember that if they ever have to try a cycle and want to cancel due to too many eggs. I hope everything works out!
I’d be scared to death of injectables as well. Hopefully you never make it to that point. Excited and praying for you! Can’t wait to see what the results end up being. I’ll be right here rooting you on!