Houston...we have a plan!

After a lot of discussion over the weekend, Hubby and I decided that we will give IUI a shot. We know that our odds are pretty low and if it doesn't work the first time, then we'll need to decide if we give it a second try, or if we try to move onto IVF. There were so many factors going into this decision. The main ones being timing, (we wouldn't be able to begin IVF cycle until the beginning of Sept and I will have just started student teaching), the time needed for IVF monitoring (did I mention I will have just started student teaching??) and the fact that we might always wonder "Would IUI have worked?" Oh, and did I mention my fear of needles?? Though I know I would/will suck it up and deal for the sake of our future child(ren), I'm in no rush to jump to the big guns that require daily (multiple times) shots.

So, once that decision was made...we had another decision to make. IUI with Clomid or IUI with injectables? We really hadn't discussed the two options in great length with Dr. Optimistic...we had gotten slightly sidetracked with the IVF talk. Back to my research I went...trying to find out as much as I could about the difference between the two. I was more confused than when I started! So I called the clinic and left a message for Helaine. Literally within an hour, she called me back! (Given the amount of time I've spent repeatedly calling my OB's office during the testing phase, it was a huge relief to know that I would not need to harass the clinic to hear back from them.)

Helaine was amazing. She obviously remembered us (so much so that she joked about Hubby trying to look at my weight!haha!) and it felt good to know were weren't just a number to them. She was able to answer a few of my other questions and said she would leave a message for Dr. Optimistic to call me back to discuss our IUI options. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard back from him last night. (Granted, it was 7pm...but hey, I was thrilled he called!)

He explained that though he would suggest I do the Clomid with IUI, it was our decision either way. Apparently the injectables are similar medications to what we would use if we were to do IVF. That means it would also entail similar monitoring to IVF (part of the reason we chose to give IUI a try). He also explained that there's a higher percentage of mulitiples with the injectables vs Clomid (can't remember the exact numbers, but it seemed significant at the time). Though there's higher odds (20% vs 15% with Clomid), it's not that much higher. Have I mentioned I'm still terrified of needles?!

After talking with him last night, our decision seemed easy. If we weren't ready to jump to IVF (for all of our previously explained reasons), then why do the injectables? If we felt we (ok, I) had the time and the emotional stamina for it right now...then we would have pushed for the IVF.

Sooo... we have a plan! I'll officially be starting Clomid for my next cycle and we'll give IUI a shot! Now... to lose this extra 5-10 lbs before the meds pack on another 5 lbs!