Synopsis: We realized how much of a miracle our first pregnancy was when the same protocol that worked on the first try two years previously, failed three times this go around!
After the birth of my first child, I decided not to prevent another pregnancy -- no birth control whatsoever. If the first one was so hard to come by, I would happily take another one "too early"! I have heard of some women's bodies "resetting" after a pregnancy, and of being super fertile after a long struggle getting pregnant the first time. If that was to be my destiny, I would accept it!
I had no such luck!
Around ten months after giving birth, and after a couple of months worth of charting anovulatory cycles and using OPKs, we returned to our fertility specialist for help. To make matters more urgent, we had just learned we would be moving out of state in a few months, and our insurance would be changing.
Our fertility specialist, understanding our concerns about losing our coverage for infertility, decided that we could at least fit in a few attempts at IUI before our move. She recommended I wean my baby so that breastfeeding would not limit the effectiveness of fertility treatment.
For my first cycle, we did what had worked the first time: 5 days on Femara, an HCG trigger shot, and an IUI. My uterine lining was not as thick as desired at my follicle ultrasound, so I was prescribed Estrace, administered vaginally, for the two days leading up to the IUI. The day after the IUI, I began my Progesterone suppositories. And two weeks later, the results of my blood test were negative.
For my second cycle, we tried the same protocol: 5 days on Femara, an HCG trigger shot, and an IUI. No need for Estrace. I had 3 good follicles. The day after the IUI, I began my Progesterone suppositories. My hopes were high, imagining triplets, or twins, or at least a singleton! And two weeks later, the results of my blood test were negative. This was extremely crushing news, after such a hopeful follicle ultrasound. At my baseline ultrasound for the next cycle, I cried. I felt so defeated. And it felt so unfair that I had to get right back on that horse, without a chance to grieve.
For my third cycle, we adjusted the protocol slightly: 5 days on Femara, a Gonal-F injection to give a boost to my follicle development, an HCG trigger shot, and an IUI. Again I was prescribed Estrace leading up to the procedure. Only one good follicle. The day after the IUI, I began my Progesterone suppositories. And two weeks later, the results of my blood test were negative. I kind of expected it this time.
For my fourth cycle, we again adjusted the protocol: 5 days on Femara, a double Gonal-F injection to give a boost to my follicle development, an HCG trigger shot, and an IUI. No need for Estrace. Only one good follicle. Following the follicle ultrasound, we met with the doctor, who recommended that if we didn't get a positive result this time, we should move onto IVF. My caring, wonderful doctor performed the IUI herself this time, which meant a lot to me! I thought it was so kind of her to show that kind of interest in me, and I appreciated her support. The day after the IUI, I began my Progesterone suppositories. And two weeks later, the results of my blood test were POSITIVE!!!! HCG was 173. We received the happy news 3 days before leaving for our cross-country move. Truly miraculous!