As you know from my last post, I was real ticked that I got COVID right before Jason and I were about to start our IUI treatments. For what felt like an eternity, I was finally healthy and in my next ovulation phase. It’s time to impregnate this uterus!
Jason dropped off his swimmers early in the morning. It takes a couple of hours for the fertility office to do their thang to isolate all the healthy sperm.
Then, it was my turn to go to the office for the ultra-scientific turkey basting procedure.
As much as Jason complained about how awkward it was to carry around a little brown paper bag with a cup of his DNA, at least he got to handle his business at home.
Enter: The Turkey Baster
Walking into that appointment, I could feel my heart beating in my ears. Even though I knew what to expect, it was incredibly nerve-racking.
When you’re sitting in a waiting room with your lingering anxiety, a few minutes feels like a fucking century.
I mean, NBD.
I was only waiting to have my hubby’s semen injected into my uterus by some rando with a weird-looking syringe. 🤷🏻♀️
Shortly after the nurse took me to the exam room, she barked at me to undress.
Like, what?? No foreplay? Take me to dinner first, damn. Chivalry must be dead.
Let’s Get Pregnant
I was surprised to learn that Dr. Fertility would not be the one performing the insemination, but rather, a woman. This actually made me feel more comfortable—or as comfortable as one can be, considering the circumstances.
She had me confirm that the names on the small sticker on the wrapper of the syringe containing our potential children matched our names.
I remember thinking, “Well, the names are right, as long as you’re sure that IS Jason’s sperm because I couldn’t tell you!” 😅
She told me they had about 70 million viable swimmers, which is on the high end of what they normally get.
I couldn’t help but feel proud. Like mhmm, that’s my man! 💅🏻
So, I laid back and spread ‘em, hoping to expect the same weird sensation you get from a pap smear. Luckily, that’s pretty much what I got!
After a bit of pressure and some mild discomfort, she was all done. It was nowhere near the amount of pain I felt during that weird X-ray at my previous appointment.
I had to lay there for five to ten minutes before I could get dressed. You know, gravity and all.
She strongly advised Jason and me to get it on later that night to increase our chances. Then, she gave me vaginal progesterone suppositories to use nightly to prepare my uterine lining for pregnancy.
Side note: they looked like tiny little white bullets, which I thought was kinda cute. 🤭
Hurry Up and Wait
Any woman who has ever tried to get pregnant knows that the two-week wait can feel like four weeks of hell. Now, think about that, PLUS the fact that you CANNOT take a pregnancy test at home.
It took every ounce of my will not to ignore their instructions and just take a test anyway, but I was a good girl.
As much as I told myself not to think about it, that was nearly impossible. When the two weeks were nearly up, I started to feel all the torturous symptoms that periods and pregnancy have in common.
✔️ Tender Breasts
✔️ Increased Appetite / Cravings
✔️ Nausea
✔️ Moody
I recently read a quote that sums up how I always feel when waiting to find out whether I’m pregnant or not…
“Every cell in your body is eavesdropping on your mind.” 🤯
Pregnant or Na?
The day finally came to get my blood drawn for my hCG levels. I went to the lab in the morning and went to work. I welcomed the distraction.
Not that it helped. 😅
I checked my phone nonstop. All. Freakin’. Day. It wasn’t until waay later that Dr. Fertility’s office number popped up on my phone, and I booked it into our break room.
You can imagine my frustration (to say the least) when, instead of getting the results, I’m asked whether I’ve gone to have my blood drawn at all!
I told them which lab I went to and at what time. The gal said she would call the lab to find out what was going on and would call me back ASAP.
But the universe has a way of fucking with me.
She called me back not long after our conversation. However, the lab I went to took longer to process results because of stupid reasons that are sooo stupid and don’t they know that this bloodwork is IMPORTANT and delays would cause extended mental anguish?! 😑
I had to wait ANOTHER day to find out the results.
I was soooo close to taking a pregnancy test at home, but Jason convinced me not to and said we would find out in due time.
Thanks a lot, voice of reason.
And Then???
Well, guess what?
If I survived the wait to find out what the doctor’s office had to say, so can you.
Make sure you keep up with my Insta @Vees.Journey so you know when I post a new blog. Let me know in the comments below if you have a quote that has stuck with you, whether it’s about infertility, pregnancy, or just life in general! I’m a slut for quotes.
And don’t forget to share with everyone you know how awesome my blog is. 🥰
Until next week, my friend.