ultrasound - yes, that probe is exactly what you think it’s for

For my readers who will be bored to tears about my IVF (in vitro fertilization) updates, feel free to skip this entry and watch some videos instead. More than anything else, I am documenting this mainly for my reference later on. I’m sure years from now, I will want to look back at this experience and marvel at what we went through.

The calendar on my Palm Treo is full of little pink circles and squares which is my “IVF” category, marking appointments and events such as stopping/starting medication.

* June 29 - Ultrasound scan, prescribed 5-day regimen of Clomid (July 2-6)
* July 10 - Saline Infusion Sonogram* and Trial Transfer (full bladder)
* July 12 - Mid-cycle ultrasound scan, hCG shot
* July 16 - Blood work, shot teaching
* July 17 - Started taking low-dose aspirin

With so many ultrasound scans that I’ve already endured, I’ve become desensitized to the invasive nature of this procedure and am barely self-conscious when the nurse tells me, “bottoms off.” Before I started the infertility treatments, I was ultra-shy about these types of exams (i.e., hadaka, nekkid), even going as far as to insist on a female OB/GYN. Oddly enough, baring my bottom to my male doctor doesn’t seem all that traumatic anymore. Amazing what a half dozen ultrasounds will do.

The July 16 appointment was the most revealing thus far, giving us a better idea of what’s in store for the next few weeks. Most notably, it involves taking a LOT of drugs. The nurse handed us a Medication Description sheet which provided details about the medications that I would be taking and its potential side effects. Just so you don’t think I’m exaggerating, here’s a list. However, I think it’s missing one injection (Menopur)…

Doxycycline: Antibiotics for both me and Hubby - to keep us from getting sick
Dexamethsone: Pill taken orally at bedtime.
Low-dose Aspirin (81 mg): Once a day, assists with cycle stimulation and impending embryonic implantation
Follistim (purified follicle stimulating hormone): A subcutaneous injection in the stomach, given twice a day (morning and night) for 10 days, to be administered by the Hubby
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin): Intramuscular shot given in the okole in office.
Progesterone (hormone): Another daily injection.
Medrol (steroid): A low dose steroid pill, taken for 4 days.
Estrogen patches (Climara): To be adhered just south of the waistline
Terbutaline: Taken the day of the embryo transfer, which assists the uterus to relax during the transfer (but may make the rest of me jittery)
Valium: Taken the day of the embryo transfer, to help off-set the jittery effects of the Terbutaline.
Prenatal Vitamins: Taken daily.

Hubby also got a quick and dirty lesson on how to administer the 3 types of shots that he will be giving me once my IVF cycle begins. Each of them is different. One of them is a pre-filled syringe. The second is a pen-type syringe. And, the last type is a traditional syringe that he uses to mix sodium chloride and Menopur powder.

In preparation for Hubby’s deployment to Iraq in 2004, he had to go through a combat lifesaving course. One of the skills that he learned was putting an IV in to a patient. At least injections don’t require having to locate a good vein. I am more than confident that Hubby will do a great job as my nurse. After all, he nursed me back to health after my surgery.

If my body cooperates, they will do the egg retrieval on August 7 and embryo transfer a couple of days later. Then, see if they “stuck.”

In the meantime, I will be lifting many prayers to the Lord for a good outcome — and if you’re the praying type, I would love it if you would say a few on my behalf, too. If successful, it will truly be a miracle.

This has been a common sight lately

*To learn more about what SIS or Saline Infusion Sonogram procedure is, click this link.

Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS)
(Reference http://floridafertility.com/Testing/SIS.aspx)
A saline infusion sonogram (saline sonography) is routinely performed to make sure that the endometrial cavity (inside of the uterus) appears normal. Benign uterine growths, such as endometrial polyps or uterine fibroids, may develop in the cavity and create an environment that is hostile for implantation. Scar tissue may also be identified with the saline infusion sonogram. This procedure may be done as part of an evaluation for recurrent pregnancy loss or done prior to an IVF cycle. It may also be done to evaluate causes of irregular or very heavy menstrual cycles and some types of chronic pelvic pain. The saline infusion sonogram is scheduled early in a menstrual cycle, just after your period stops but before ovulation – usually between days 5-12 of the cycle.

The procedure is simple and usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

* A speculum is inserted into the vagina and the cervix is cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

* A special catheter approximately 1mm in diameter (about the size of a single strand of spaghetti) is inserted and slides through the cervical canal.

* The ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina.

* Sterile salt-water solution (saline) flows through the catheter into the uterine cavity. This distends the endometrial cavity and allows the physician to see the entire cavity on the ultrasound monitor. You may experience mild cramping at this point.

* Several images of your uterus will be taken during the procedure, pictures of your ovaries may also be taken.

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