Baby Steps
March 2007 - requested a referral to the Regional Fertility Program (RFP) at the Foothills Hospital.
Summer 2007 - had initial appointment at the RFP to get an overview of what to expect. Amy completed an HSG, several rounds of blood work, and started taking Prometrium to regulate monthly cycle. Amy also began taking folic acid and we began looking at anonymous donors from several different banks. The first step will be to do an IUI (intra-uterine insemination).
November 2007 - appointment with the neurologist to discuss Amy’s epilepsy was cancelled and rescheduled. Everything is on hold until Dr. Neurologist gives the ok.
January 2008 - Dr. Neurologist has a last minute opening, and after a good conversation, we decide to take Amy off her medication (Keppra) to reduce chance of birth defects. The downside? Amy won’t be able to drive until she goes back on it.
February 2008 - We call the RFP and schedule a follow-up appointment. Amy does another round of blood work to rule out Rubella. We go over the process again and get a refill on the Prometrium and a prescription for Clomid. The nurse advises Amy to stop taking the Keppra 30 days before first IUI. Current timing? Probably mid-April.
March 28 - April 6 2008 - Amy takes Prometrium to initiate a cycle. On Day 1 of flow, Amy will phone the clinic to get advice on when to take Clomid and to book a standing appointment for the week period around suspected ovulation.
March 22 - AF out of nowhere, before even taking the Prometrium. Day 1!
March 24 - 28 2008 - on Clomid 50mg
April 2 2008 - begin testing for LH surge prior to ovulation.
April 5 2008 - LH Surge!!!! Positive OPK! IUI #1 at 2pm
April 6 2008 - still positive, lots and lots of cramping…
April 7 2008 - negative OPK… ovulating soon???
April 19 2008 - got my period, began cycle #2
April 21 - 25 2008 - Clomid, 50mg
No ovulation. U/S shows no follicles enlarging. Prometrium to induce next cycle.
Cycle #3 begins. Clomid 100mg. No ovulation. U/S shows no follicles enlarging. Prometrium to induce next cycle.
Cycle #4 begins. We don’t go ahead with plans due to Amy’s new job.
Many frustrating weeks pass.
August 12 2008 - AF out of nowhere, DAY 1 again.
August 14 - 18 2008 - Clomid 150mg
August 21 2008 - Day 10 U/S, lots of 1.3cm, 1 1.5cm, 1 1.6cm
August 23 2008 - Day 12 U/S, the four small ones have stopped growing, larger ones are 1.6cm and 1.8cm
August 25 2008 - Day 14 U/S, 1.8cm and 1.9cm.
August 27 2008 - OPK showed a surge in the morning, and then all day! IUI #2 at 2:45p. Unlike last time, painless.
August 28 2008 -Negative on the OPK.
September 11 2008 - AF, Cycle #6 begins
September 13 - 17 2008 - Clomid 150mg
September 22 2008 - Day 12 U/S, 3 follicles, 2 on right at 1.4cm, 1 on left at 1.3cm.
September 24 2008 - Day 14 U/S, 6 follicles, none larger than 1.1cm. WTF?
September 26 2008 - Day 16 U/S, 4 follicles measured, showing minute growth. Cycle officially off.
October 30 2008 - AF, Cycle #7 begins
