Just starting out

a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
in Single Mothers by Choice
I have just made the decision to go it all by myself. I waited for the right guy, and he is just not out there for me. I have been signed up on here for awhile now. I wasn't sure this was what I wanted. Now i know it is what I want. Can anyone help in telling me the first steps I should take? I am on here, I looked at some donors, and have even saved a couple for my choosing. What do I do next? Help, I am ready to be a mom.

Comments

  • olearyeolearye Posts: 65
    hi, and congratulations on your decision and welcome to the group. I made my decision to start my family as a single mom earlier this year but took a while to figure out the steps to take.
    The things that i would highly recommend doing is to start if you haven't already to track your cycle, i bought a fertility monitor from clear blue easy and then track it because it measures your LH surge. I think this will come in handy because we are all in a more challenging situation with scheduling the vial to ship, etc within our ovulation window.

    Secondly, before i bought a subscription package here i narrowed down my search with height, etc or whatever parameters you are looking for. When i was ready, i bought the $250 subscription, yes pricey but well worth it. To me a small price to pay in order to help me choose the other half of my offspring. From here i went back to my original list of favorites and compared and ironically some of my favorites before seeing their pics, hearing their voices etc were still my favorites after, and others i quickly erased off my list.

    there is some paperwork to do with the cryobank and you can do that early in your search without having to purchase any vials, some of which your doctor needs to sign. I would contact them and they will send you a packet full of valuable information as well as the paperwork they need.

    It can be overwhelming but so exciting. I am hoping to try my first iui attempt this next month. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with.
    good luck!
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Thanks for the help olearye. I did go as far as receiving packet from cryobank, I just have not filled it out yet. I am working on that tomorrow. I guess I will set up an appointment with doctor ASAP. Here I go...... I hope you don't mind if I ask you questions along the way?
    Thanks and good luck to you also.
  • melissaprestwoodmelissaprestwood Posts: 136
    The first thing I did was talk to my OBGyn and she referred me to a Reproductive Specialist. I met with her before making any decisions on donor. I did look through and saved some favorites, but didn't purchase the subscription until I was sure I'd be placing an order.

    My doctor had me track my ovulation and did an ultrasound and did alot of blood work. I wanted to make sure that was all good before paying for a subscription. So I say talk to your doctor first.

    Good luck!
  • jaimecjaimec Posts: 329
    I have been in this process a year now and only had to track my ovulation the first month. My ob/gyn referrred me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. The first thing he did was run some basic tests to make sure everything was functioning properly so we didn't "waste" a sample and time.
    I went on injectibles to produce more/bigger eggs so that, along with ultrasounds and an HCG injection, gives a pretty clear indication of when you are ovulating.
    I generally buy 4 vials at a time, as I sometimes do back-to-back (2 days in a row) IUI. I did get pregnant on my 5th try, but unfortunately miscarried at 13 weeks.
    I have seen a lot of women on here get pregnant very quickly....my motto is "hope for the best, but prepare for the worse".
    Congrats on joining us and ask anything you'd like!
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Thank you jaimec. I am making an appointment with a reproductive endo in the morning. My doctor referred me to one today. Thanks.
  • austingurlaustingurl Posts: 202
    I agree with everyone else. Definately talked to your doctor before buying a subscription or any vials. My first appointment was in August of last year. I have PCOS, and after running the initial tests and tracking my cycle, we realized I don't ovulate on my own at all. We started the meds in November, and I ovulated on the lowest dosage of Femara. But my first appointment was in August and my first IUI was in November. Since subscriptions are for 3 months, mine would have ended almost by the time I was ready to start buying anything.

    And I bought 6 vials during my first purchase which turned out to be the exact number I needed. I think within a month or 2 of me picking my donor and buying the sperm, my donor was sold out and retired. So, if you really have your heart set on one person, I would buy as many as you can afford. My hope was to use 3 or less, get pregnant, and try for a sibling in a few years. It took 5 tries to get pregnant, then I miscarried at 8 weeks. On try 6, I was nervous about using my last vial since my donor was retired, and I had my heart set on having full blood siblings. Well, it worked out. I am 22 weeks pregnant with twins:)

    My advice, research, research, research!! Ask questions. Find a doctor you trust completely. And go with your instincts. It will work out in the end.
  • SeattleSuzSeattleSuz Posts: 42
    Hey austingurl, did you ever find out gender of your twins?
  • austingurlaustingurl Posts: 202
    The current prediction is 1 boy/1girl:) This is exactly what I have been saying since week 11. I am pretty confident in this prediction since it was seen at week 20 and even I could see the difference in them.
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Thanks everyone for the excellent advice. I have to wait until January to see a reproductive endo :( but I am still tracking ovulation. It has been pretty consistent these last 2 months. I have been tracking for myself.

    I am sure I'll have more questions, if you all don't mind.

    Congrats austingurl.
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Hello everyone. I went to the Endocrinologist yesterday and she has said so far everything is fine. I just have a concern . She has me taking an HSG. Has anyone had this done? Is it as painful as they are making it sound? That is my concern. The test is next week. And doctor wants me to hopefully try for next month for iui.
  • Tomigrl5Tomigrl5 Posts: 132
    I just had my HSG on Monday, really was not bad, some mild cramping. I did medicate with 800 mg of motrin prior to though. I also have PCOS and my doctor wants me to get a sonohystogram, and I am not completely sure it is necessary. Curious if anyone else has experience with this?? Austingurl, you are in my thoughts, hope your baby girl is well.
  • olearyeolearye Posts: 65
    hi i had a hsg a few months ago. I too was told it was very painful but there was only one point that it felt like intense cramping that only lasted a minute or two and started to subside. The whole procedure went very quickly and felt fine by the time i left there without any additional pain etc. They told me that i may have some spotting for a bit and also said that sometimes it is thought that it may assist in helping to get pregnant because essentially you have cleaned out the pipes so to say. Anyway, just letting you know what i was told personally.

    good luck
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Had my HSG. It was not bad at all. Procedure was about 5 min and there was no pain. At one point, cramping for less than a minute. But that was it. I am ready for the next stage.
  • jaimecjaimec Posts: 329
    Do you know what the plan is yet....as far as, are you going to start off non medicated or medicated?

    In ever had an HSG, but my doc did something somewhat similar. Using the internal ultrasound wand, he just pumped water in there and was able to watch on the ultrasound for any blockages. No pain and actually quite refreshing lol!
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Hi jaimec, well before the HSG, we spoke about medicated to help with more eggs. But when she did I the ultra sound, it sounded like I was ok. She was counting on each side, and both were 7 and 8. I do not know if that was good or bad. She also ran a lot of blood test. They took 8 vials and everything was good except prolactive was a bit high. I am hoping and praying that it is without medicine. I am hoping to start January 2. That's my next appt.
  • Tomigrl5Tomigrl5 Posts: 132
    I have PCOS and my doc will start with medicine on first IUI.
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Hello everyone. I ave another question for everyone. I love my re. She wants me to have the best first chance at having a baby. With iui, which do you suggest the route I take. Injections or clomid? Lol, I hate needles and I hate popping pils. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  • becky1141becky1141 Posts: 164
    Clomid is cheaper than injectable meds. Depending if they are doing monitoring with the clomid the cycle itself may be cheaper with Clomid. Not all RE's will do u/s monitoring with clomid but always will with injectables.

    In my experience so far...the injectables give the doctors much better control which was needed for me. They can change dosage as the cycle goes on depending how things are progressing. With the clomid you take the pills and whatever is there is what you get.

    I did one cycle of clomid and overstimulated. I am currently on my second cycle of Follistim injections. The Follistim has worked great for me. I was a little nervous about sticking a needle in myself but it really isn't that bad. I barely even feel a pinch.

    Good luck with whichever you decide!
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Hello ladies, I am now taking the estrace and have been on it for almost a week. Start menopur- injections, on the 4th. I am a bit afraid of the injections but I will take it for a little one of my own.
  • gullivergalgullivergal Posts: 4
    HI a_walton! It sounds like we started this process about the same time. I am going direct with IVF because of my age (40 in June) and I started Lupron yesterday. I start the Gonal F AND menopur on 3/5. DId you pick a donor? I called CCB today and they are shipping the vials to arrive on Friday. As of now, the RE is predicting a 3/17 egg retrieval and 3/22 transfer.

    It's all going so fast now!!!

    I was also afraid of the injections and asked one of my friends to help me. Turns out that it's pretty easy and I haven't had any problems with the first two days. By the end of two weeks with multiple injections I figure I'll be a pro!

    I'm also doing this single but I'm so excited, nervous but excited.

    - Angel
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Went to pick up menopur today, the cost of these meds are very scary. But can't wait for iui. Hopefully one take. Gullivergal I picked a donor and had him shipped to my RE already. Just waiting for my cycle to start. It's taking its sweet time this cycle. It knows I want it to come.(lol) Baby dust for you and I. Lets keep our fingers crossed for one take.
  • jaimecjaimec Posts: 329
    I start my next round of meds (for IVF) on Thursday....luckily my prescription insurance is different than my medical and it covers the meds!!
  • jaimecjaimec Posts: 329
    And the injections are super easy!!! The thought of having to do them is worse than doing them lol
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    My prayers for this round of IVF for you jaimec. Fingers crossed. Yes I am a wimp for needles. I know I can do it. Thanks for the encouragement.
  • melissaprestwoodmelissaprestwood Posts: 136
    Good luck!!!! Fingers crosses and baby dust being sent to you :)
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    After 10 days of menopur injections/ 4 days of cetrotide injections. I will have my IUI on Friday. Yay!!!!! Jaimec you were right, injections are a synch. I feel like a pro now. Lol. The nurse thinks I'm crazy cause she says I'm so calm. I think it's because I've been poked/ prodded, I guess I feel like, now what, I can take it.
  • a_walton2a_walton2 Posts: 236
    Question for everyone. Has anyone had such a high dosage of menopur as 5 vials? I thought that was high especially since it gave me headaches. I did lower it myself to 4 vials without telling RE. I couldn't take it. Lol : )
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