Mission accomplished

What an experience. To say that having an IUI at my local clinic vs. one of the best fertility clinics in the state was different is a huge understatement. Different in good ways, different in bad ways and well, just plain weird different. Here's how it all went down:

We live within 10 minutes of the clinic, so DH was able to do his business at home and then I just tucked the cup into the waistband of my pants and drove it to the clinic. I had to make sure I had it to the Dr. within 30 minutes. No problem. I must say that having DH produce the sample in the comfort of our home was SO much better and less stressful than the usual procedure of going into the sterile environment of the clinic. So this was a GOOD different.

I was supposed to meet Dr. A in the waiting room at 7:30am to hand off DH's sample. Remember, Dr. A is handling everything herself, including the washing. So, I got there about 7:25 and am just standing and waiting patiently when the receptionist notices me and asks me to check in. I tell her that no, I don't have an appointment and that I am just waiting for Dr. A. She immediately gets all flustered and starts involving all sorts of receptionists and schedulers into the conversation. They are all freaked out because "they've never had anybody do anything like this before!!" and they just do NOT understand why Dr. A would be meeting with me, without and appointment and "why wasn't I in the appointment system??". Yes, can you tell that I am the first IF patient there? I was not about to announce to a bunch of old hens that I was protectively holding on to my husbands sperm in hopes of making a baby there in their clinic that morning. They were freaking about me talking to Dr. A without an appt, let alone any talk of sperm or insemination! One lady asked me my name three times and then wrote it on a piece of paper "just in case!". This whole process was BAD different.

Dr. A came out, I handed her the sample and she took it without incident. GOOD.

I had a 45 minute wait and so I wandered into the hospital chapel. I prayed/meditated/calmed my nerves for a few minutes and then walked around a bit in the chapel. It is a really pretty little area with stained glass panels and as I was looking around I noticed a prayer book. Many people had written in it over the months asking God for help and it was sort of neat. I decided that it couldn't hurt so I wrote my own prayer down.

I went back to the receptionist area at 8:15 and checked in (Yay! I followed procedure this time!)
The receptionist looked flustered all over again as she was entering me in the computer and then asked, "Did Dr. A really just meet you in the lobby??" I just looked at her with big eyes and said, "Yes, she really did." Another BAD different. Well, maybe just annoying.

I went back into the room and chatted briefly with Dr. A and then waited. And waited. And waited. Dr. A checked in and said it would just be another 5-10 minutes and to hang tight. My regular doctor stopped by to cheer me on and tell me that she was thinking positive thoughts. (I love her!) I felt good that I had two doctors watching over me and taking care of everything. A definite GOOD different.

So, I was waiting and I started listening to the talk just outside the doors...I started noticing the word sperm quite a bit. I focused in and listening and the nurses were actually joking about the sperm being "washed". I kid you not. They were giggling like little school girls. All in good fun, I do not think they were being mean or trying to be insensitive but seriously? I could hear everything. One of the kept saying that she was "guarding" the sperm and it was a very important duty! At one point I heard a timer ding and then someone say loudly, "Dr. A - your sperm is done!!!" giggle, giggle. So, that? Was BAD different.

FINALLY, Dr. A came in and did the IUI. She said everything went really, really well. (I'm sure it had much to do with that one nurse "guarding" DH's sperm.) The IUI was quick and uneventful. I asked about count and (to my surprise) she said that she does not do a count analysis because she is not officially trained on that aspect and does not feel comfortable with it. She said from looking at the sample, it appeared to be good. Lots of swimmers and movement. Hmm...that means nothing to me. I was a little disappointed but, oh well. I guess it gives me one less thing to obsess about and at this point it really doesn't matter. His count this time won't effect our future treatment plans. I already know that our next (and best) option is IVF and we're not headed down that path anyway. Well, not unless someone knows how to get us a free one! No? Didn't think so.

So, that is that. I am officially inseminated and in the dreaded 2ww.