Monday, March 9, 2009

Next steps

We are seeing our RE on the 25th to discuss what intervention we will pursue in the event that I don't get pregnant this cycle. (MM and I agreed that we would try for a year on our own prior to doing any intervention; this current cycle is the last one before the year is up.)

When we last saw the RE in late January, he mentioned that he usually recommends Clomid + IUI as a first step. After reading up on this approach a bit, though, I don't think the Clomid will be of much benefit to me because I already ovulate on my own. Some recent studies seem to indicate that Clomid does not produce higher pregnancy rates in women who already ovulate. Plus I am more than a little apprehensive about the side effects of that particular drug.

I'm also not sure if any additional testing should be done before we start intervention. I've never had any tests to check what my uterine lining is like after ovulation or any tests to verify that I have, in fact, ovulated. (Our RE told us that he assumes that ovulation is occurring if cycles are regular and predictable in length and I'm getting + OPKs.) My cycles are regular, and every cycle I charted temps I had the expected rise after ovulation. So I'm pretty sure I'm ovulating but know nothing about my lining and its ability to allow for successful implantation.

I guess these are all questions I can ask the RE at our appointment. I think I am going to suggest going directly to IUI with injectibles, and I doubt he will disagree. At my age, I'm pretty sure he'd go straight to IVF if we asked for it.

3 comments:

  1. Whatever you decide to do, I hope it works and you don't have to endure more time trying to conceive. It gets old!

    I am going to ask about IUI+injects too. I think it's my only real chance. I can't go as far as IVF.

    Good luck to you!

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  2. i know everyone is different, but i had NO side effects with Clomid. I was worried too because i tend to react to a lot of drugs, but it was fine. with the clomid, they check your follicle growth and lining measurements via ultrasound. i know they also can give you Progesterone suppositories to help boost your lining after an IUI to help prevent miscarriage. i'm not sure what they normally do if you already know you ovulate on your own. good luck! and i look forward to reading more about your journey.

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  3. Here from Lost and Found and Connections Abound to welcome you to the infertility blogosphere...

    I love that you're posting entries written in your pre-blog days. Great insight for readers, perhaps helpful time capsule for you.

    Best of luck to you!

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