Went to the fertility clinic today and we officially have all of our paperwork in order and approved for our IVF dossier (photos, ID, marriage certificate, consent forms, social security approval, etc.) - yippee! Sometimes there is so much red tape in France, however this was all fairly straightforward, thank goodness.
Here's the plan in a nutshell. On the 26 May 2010 I will start treatment with shots everyday for 28 days. If everything goes according to plan, around the 25 June, they will go in and retrieve my eggs (hopefully I'll have a lot of healthy ones). Then they will put the egg and sperm in a petri dish, hoping they will unite and make a strong and healthy embryo. This process takes around 3 days. They will then insert the embryo into me. If, and that's a big if, it all works out, I could be pregnant by July! I'm so excited. They say that the success rate is only about 20%, but they say that's about the same for fertile couples who are trying to conceive naturally. I know I've explained this in a very simple manner and complications can arise at any stage of this process, however I just want to stay positive for now and if complications arise, we'll deal with it at that time.
Now for the big decision - how many embryos to put into me for the first cycle? I certainly don't want to be like the Octomom! Actually, in France, the maximum number of embryos they can legally insert is 3. The biologist strongly suggested that we try 2 for the first time. The cat man (my hubby) is nervous about the possibility of having twins, so he prefers only 1 embryo, but I'm leaning towards 2, so that we have a better chance. Something for us to discuss and decide. Of course all of this is also depending on how many embryos we have. I hope my eggs and my hubby's sperm take a liking to each other and make a whole bunch of beautiful embryos, the more the merrier.
I'm so happy that this is all finally moving forward and with the help of science and the grace of God, I hope that this story can end with happily ever after.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Introduction of the Cat Lady and Wanna Be Mom
I call myself the Cat Lady because I've got 4 lovely kitties. Started with one, then another one came by our place, then another and we ended up with four (for now). Everytime we got a cat, my mom would say "oh dear" as she felt that the more cats we adopted, the more she thought we would not have children. At the time I laughed it off, thinking it was a silly connotation, but when we started trying to conceive, we were faced with many barriers.
My husband and I married in 2001. We started trying to have a baby in 2007. We were both busy with work and didn't realize the time that went by and after two years we started to ask why we weren't pregnant. I think we were also in a bit (or a lot) of denial, as we knew there was a problem, but hoped that it would resolve itself. I am ashamed to admit it, but at that point I had never been to the gynecologist (I was 35 years old). I'm really afraid of doctors and dentists, so I would do anything to avoid seeing them. Well, the gynecologist discovered a cyst, so I went through a series of tests (echography, scan, MRI, etc.). Doctor said that it was most likely that I had Endometriosis. To make a long story short, I had an operation in June 2009, which confirmed that I had Endometriosis and they took out what they could of the large cysts I had on each ovary and some that were stuck on my intestines. After that I went on a 6 month treatment, which put me in menopause, so that my ovaries could take a break. The hot flashes I got during this treatment was horrible, however if this is what it took to try and have a baby, then it would all be worth it. My body got back to normal in March 2010, so I saw a fertility specialist and she recommended IVF. We are meeting with the doctor and biologist this week!
I want to be hopeful, but not too hopeful. I know the odds are against us, as I'm 36years old, still have Endometriosis (as a cyst came back on one of my ovaries) and we recently discovered that my husband's sperm are slow movers.
I try to stay positive and focus on that. We are living in France and this country covers all the costs for IVF, therefore I'm grateful that we do not have to carry the financial burden that comes with this process.
At this stage, I'm hoping that my ovaries are not too damaged and that I can produce healthy eggs. IVF appointment is this Thursday, so fingers crossed.
By the way, I am proud to be the Cat Lady. This title often conjures up a stereotypical image of a spinster old lady, with no kids, and too many cats. In my case, I'm a married, middle aged lady, who loves her furry felines, with no kids, however trying deperately to have at least one.
My husband and I married in 2001. We started trying to have a baby in 2007. We were both busy with work and didn't realize the time that went by and after two years we started to ask why we weren't pregnant. I think we were also in a bit (or a lot) of denial, as we knew there was a problem, but hoped that it would resolve itself. I am ashamed to admit it, but at that point I had never been to the gynecologist (I was 35 years old). I'm really afraid of doctors and dentists, so I would do anything to avoid seeing them. Well, the gynecologist discovered a cyst, so I went through a series of tests (echography, scan, MRI, etc.). Doctor said that it was most likely that I had Endometriosis. To make a long story short, I had an operation in June 2009, which confirmed that I had Endometriosis and they took out what they could of the large cysts I had on each ovary and some that were stuck on my intestines. After that I went on a 6 month treatment, which put me in menopause, so that my ovaries could take a break. The hot flashes I got during this treatment was horrible, however if this is what it took to try and have a baby, then it would all be worth it. My body got back to normal in March 2010, so I saw a fertility specialist and she recommended IVF. We are meeting with the doctor and biologist this week!
I want to be hopeful, but not too hopeful. I know the odds are against us, as I'm 36years old, still have Endometriosis (as a cyst came back on one of my ovaries) and we recently discovered that my husband's sperm are slow movers.
I try to stay positive and focus on that. We are living in France and this country covers all the costs for IVF, therefore I'm grateful that we do not have to carry the financial burden that comes with this process.
At this stage, I'm hoping that my ovaries are not too damaged and that I can produce healthy eggs. IVF appointment is this Thursday, so fingers crossed.
By the way, I am proud to be the Cat Lady. This title often conjures up a stereotypical image of a spinster old lady, with no kids, and too many cats. In my case, I'm a married, middle aged lady, who loves her furry felines, with no kids, however trying deperately to have at least one.
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