IVF Consult

Hopefully after this post I can (attempt) to wash my hands of these frustrations and (attempt) to go with the flow...

This past monday, Hubby and I had our IVF consult. We met our new IVF nurse (so sad to not talk to Helaine anymore...but Sharon seems great too!) and had a "sit down" with Dr. E. He basically went over again what we had discussed back in July...now it just seemed a little more real.

We discussed the use of ICSI (don't remember the whole long technical name for it...basically means they inject one sperm in each of the eggs; instead of just throwing them into a petri dish and hoping for the best!). With the morphology issue, this was an easy decision. Dr. E said this was by far the best option for us. In addition, we discussed the use of Assisted Hatching. The embryologist would decide at the time...but if they feel that the shell of the embryo is "too thick", they can kind of chip away a bit at the outside layer...making it (potentially) a bit easier to attach to the uterine wall. We (Hubby and I) agreed with Dr. E on both of these...not even considering whether or not insurance would "approve".

After chatting about various other "things"...I asked Dr. E if he already knew what protocol (i.e. what meds he would use with me) he had decided on. He kind of laughed and said, "Ohhh that's right...you're my type A patient!" Thankfully he was smiling...so I knew he wasn't taking my million questions too personally. He admited that based on where I was with my cycle (I was currently on CD2 - perfect timing) he was suggesting I start BCPs the next day. I would take them for 21 days, get my period, and then on CD3 of my next cycle...dum dum! Start my IVF meds!

Ok...so I realize that I'm going to sound like a baby here...but my most HATED thing in the world is BCPs. They make me feel sooo crappy - major headaches and extreme nausea. I had been dreading this protocol. I had hoped I could avoid them...apparently not. That being said, I will continue to take them for the next 21 days with a fake smile plastered on my face. Why? 'Cuz (hopefully) the end result will far out way this miserableness...

After meeting with Dr. E, we met with the insurance coordinator. She told us that she had already sent off our request to our insurance. Though she's expecting them to approve it...she asked what we wanted to do if they don't. Umm...what are our options? We'd have no choice but to do what they say. We don't exactly have $15,000-$20,000 laying around to pay OOP. Crossing our fingers that we'll have an answer by the time I go in next Monday.

Why am I going in next Monday? Ah, yes! I "get" to have a water/saline ultrasound (can't remember the technical term), as well as a trial transfer. Again, I'm going to sound like a baby here. I'm slightly terrified for the trial transfer. Dr. E said he's requiring it for me because all over my chart is noted how "difficult" it has been (HSG test, as well as both IUI's) to get the catheter into my cervix. Apparently doing this will give him a "roadmap" for when the actual embryo transfer occurs. Sooo I've gotten pretty good about the whole needle thing, but I'm still not great with pain...and this part is painful. I immediately knew both Hubby and my mom wouldn't be able to come...so what'd I do? Called my cousin (ok, really Hubby's cousin...but same thing, right?) to see if she's free. She's an angel and is coming with me.

Cross your fingers that IVF gets approved...