Well, we are off to a positive start! Everything looked good today with my blood work and ultrasound, so we will start stimming tonight. This time our doctor is starting me on 225 units of Bravelle instead of the 150 I started with last time. They have to be super careful about meds with IUI so you don’t end up like octomom. There is also the chance that your cycle will be cancelled if you over stimulate. I’m hoping that 225 is just right!!

The big positive this time is that we can start immediately! Last time we had to postpone for almost a month due to an ovarian cyst, which was probably a side effect from the Clomid I was on for the first cycle.

The only thing that makes me nervous this round is that we are doing the shots in the underside of my arm instead of my stomach. Considering how bruised and sore my stomach was last time, I’m not looking forward to seeing what my arms look like after all of this. Ouch!!

I will go back to the doctor on Friday for another ultrasound and more blood work. He will check to make sure my follicles are growing as they should and will also check my estrogen, progesterone, and LH levels. I think they want my follicles to grow about 2mm per day and my estrogen levels should increase as well. Please send thoughts and prayers our way that all progresses according to plan!

Blood levels are checked every time I go to the doctor, transvaginal ultrasounds are performed to monitor progress of follicle growth and uterine lining, and educated guesses are made by my doctor about when to trigger. My doctor explained it last cycle as kind of like playing chicken. He wants the follicles to grow as big as possible, but he has to grow them fast before I naturally ovulate.

I know this is a lot of information, and I’m probably leaving stuff out that you may need to know to understand what exactly is going on. Please feel free to ask questions so it all makes sense.