Life...you have a plan of how you want and think it will go. You follow the steps to achieve all you have dreamed of but occasionally life will throw you a curve ball that will derail all of your original plans. You are left collecting the pieces, trying to put the puzzle back together and trying to figure out what to do when all of your dreams fall through. This is the story of us, picking up our pieces...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Moment of Truth.....

Sunday morning 6:00 am: Up bright and early.  I took a shower and got everything ready to head to the hospital for IUI.  I didn't wake Dave up until a few minutes before we had to go.  I wanted to let him get his sleep but also have enough time to make his, ahem, donation.  We had to have the specimen to the hospital by 7:30 (within an hour of collection) so we are on a time line.

Once the donation has been made we headed on out.  You have to keep it at a warm temperature so they recommended either placing it in between your boobs or under your arm pit.  Who really wants to drive with a cup under their armpit??  I kept my future children tucked securely in my cleavage for safety.

You have to drop the specimen off at 7:30 and then return at 9:00 for the IUI.  They inspect the sperm, do counts, wash it and feed it and then count them again after their bath.  Now I know what you are thinking...a sperm wash?  Its not really a "bath".  The sperm must be washed in order to be used with IUI. Raw semen cannot be inserted directly into a woman’s uterus. This is because semen contains chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause muscular contractions and are responsible for cramps during menstruation and pregnancy. If raw semen is inserted directly into your uterus, rather than going through the cervix first, it could cause severe pain and cramping. It could also cause your uterus to collapse, causing severe complications.
Sperm is also washed in order to increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Sperm washing can remove dead sperm and those sperm with poor motility. This leaves behind sperm that can swim faster and that are more likely to fertilize your egg. Sperm washing can also get rid of the white blood cells, mucous and seminal fluid surrounding the sperm, which can also interfere with fertility.
The IUI procedure took no more than 2 minutes.  They insert the catheter, after confirming they have the right sample of course, inject the sperm and make you lay there for 10 minutes.  Once your time is up you are free to get dressed and go.  Now comes the hard part, waiting....

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