IUI #2

One good thing about this cycle was hubby's post wash count went up. I only had one dominant follicle though, but there was another follicle that would have caught up until my ovulation.

I was confident about the timing of the IUI. It was my CD13 that I got a positive result on the OPK, so we went on with the IUI. It was a Saturday (April 13) and SLMC - GC's CARMI was closed on the weekend, so the procedure had to be done in Dr. Jing's clinic at SLMC - Quezon City. 

Unfortunately, AF came today -- my CD30 and 17DPIUI. It was supposed to come two days ago, so I had high hopes when it was delayed. Thus the frustration I am feeling right now. I am still somewhat in denial, hoping that it is just implantation or pregnancy bleeding. I have read in some forums and blogs that bleeding like period could happen even when pregnant. Some women claimed that their "period" lasted for five days just like their regular period, had pregnancy symptoms after that, and confirmed through tests that they were pregnant. 

At this moment I'm not sure if I still want to try another cycle of IUI. It is just so sad, stressful, and emotionally exhausting. 

Studies show that IVF has a higher success rate compared to IUI. It may be our next option, but not for now. It's way too expensive.

Maybe I will take this time off from work-up for a while....maybe....I can only sigh...

My first cycle with Femara

Today is my CD11 for this cycle and I had my TVS for follicle monitoring. There were five follicles found, but only 2 were dominant -- one on each ovary. Hopefully, the others would still mature just in time for the IUI. There was no fluid found in the cul-de-sac and the endometrium's thickness was ideal. So far, so good.

Instead of taking a trigger shot before the IUI, Dr. Jing recommended that we do LH monitoring using an OPK (ovulation prediction kit). I will be doing the test for four days, starting tomorrow. IUI will happen any time between Saturday and Sunday, depending on the day I get a positive result. I bought the kit from Dr. Jing because it's a lot cheaper compared to the ones sold in Mercury or Watson's, even with the same brand. 

Ovulation prediction kits are a very popular method of detecting ovulation. One of the benefits of using an OPK is that you can predict ovulation before it occurs. OPKs work by detecting LH (Luteinizing Hormone) levels in your urine. Just before ovulation there is a surge in LH. When this LH surge is detected, ovulation should occur within 36 hours. (Source: http://www.justmommies.com/articles/ovulation-prediction-kit.shtml)

A ray of hope shines

Today is my CD3 for this cycle and I had TVS to check if there was a cyst causing the fluid in the cul-de-sac. The TVS was a little bit uncomfortable because of my period. But there's good news! The fluid is gone. This means I can move on to IUI this cycle. There were 3 follicles found on my right ovary and four on the left. If the fluid were still there, I would have undergone laparoscopy to have it removed.

I'm done with Clomid. Dr. Jing changed my meds and I will be taking Femara twice a day (2.5 mg each) for five days from CD3 to CD7. I will also be taking Folic Acid (5 mg) to avoid any neural defects just in case I get pregnant this cycle. I hope Femara works and stimulates all of the follicles found to give me a better chance of succeeding the IUI.

What is Femara - Letrozole? 

Femara (generic name is letrozole) is an oral drug which can be an effective fertility treatment for women with ovulation problems, or for those with unexplained infertility. This medication is in a class of drug called aromatase inhibitors. Femara has mainly been used to treat certain cases of breast cancer. 

(Source: http://www.advancedfertility.com/femara-letrozole-fertility.htm)

What is Purifol for?

-prevention and treatment of folic acid deficiencies during pregnancy, especially in assisted reproduction techniques to prevent neural tube defects and orofacial clefts in fetus; in chronic hemolytic anaemia, exfoliative skin disease, gingivitis, angular cheilitis, alcoholism, anorectic cancer,cervical dyslpasia, elderly patients, gout, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal inflammation, malabsorption and tropical sprue. 

(Source: http://www.thefilipinodoctor.com)

Hubby will continue to take Livoncel.

Livoncel is a premium nutritional formula of complete multivitamins + mineral with antioxidant vitamin power plus natural vegetable extracts. It helps protect the body from harmful free radicals, pollutants, and other health damaging factors. It also enhances the body’s immune system against common colds, infections, cancer and other diseases. Livoncel protects the body from damage due to oxidation and free radicals and thus help ensure healthier and longer active life.

Contents: Vit A 2,500 iu, b-carotene 5 mg, vit E 2300 iu, vit B1 5 mg, Vit B2, 5mg, vit B3 15 mg, vit B5 5 mg, vit B6 5 mg, folic acid 200 mcg, vit B12 9 mcg, Vit C 250 mg, Ca 50 mg, Zn 12 mg, copper 1 mg, iodine 75 mcg, biotin 150 mcg, selenium 100 mcg

Indications: Treatment of vitamin & mineral deficiencies
Dosage: 1 softgel capsule 2x a day
Packaging: softgel capsules in bottles of 15s, 30s & 100s

(Image and content source: http://meyerspharma.com/livoncel.html)