Today was the first day of an actual procedure to start my IVF journey. I had the Saline Intrauterine Sonogram performed this morning, I am on calendar day 7 of my cycle. The RE (reproductive endocrinologist) wants to make sure there are no surprises the day of actual embryo transfer. I was not looking forward to this test but knew I could get through it with some visualization and deep breathing. I feel that my Pilates classes are helping me. I am much more focused on my body and breathing. I just started doing Pilates again and wish that I had started back up on the reformers prior to my IUI’s. It’s the mind body connection that is so important when going through fertility treatments in my opinion, I feel that yoga and Pilates gets your mind restructured to be able to work through the pain and discomfort.
The “SIS” procedure didn’t go as smoothly as we all expected. My RE was unable to fill and expand the uterine cavity enough to see everything that he needed to see. He said that he was 95% that there was nothing obstructing the area but wanted to be 100% sure before the actual embryo transfer. I will now move on to another procedure that will be preformed in the hospital called hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is a procedure that involves insertion of a narrow telescope-like instrument through the vagina and cervix into the cavity of the uterus (endometrial cavity). The uterine cavity is then distended with fluid and visualized. I have to say I am so happy that my “SIS” is over but on the other hand I have to go right back into another similar procedure. My husband was amazing in the exam room with me today, his hand on my arm made it a lot easier to get through the pain and know that we are in this together.
Most of my appointments are in the early morning so I am in my Fresh Beauty Studio wrap dress uniform or in a DVF wrap dress ready to head to work after I leave the RE. I find that wearing a wrap dress not only makes you feel like a normal person not having to get completely undressed and naked but it’s easy and you look put together. Looking like you are keeping it all together is not such an easy feat when you are going through fertility treatments, it’s downright exhausting. In addition to wearing a wrap dress, I live in my Tory Burch “Sophie” wedges. Wearing wedges and trying to place your feet into the stirrups is definitely no bueno. Who know’s why it took me this long to figure that out? For my first round of IVF I want every little detail that I can think of to be comfortable and make me feel good. I decided today to bring a pair of “Frenchie” socks to the appointment instead of straining my legs trying to hold up my legs tittering on those claw like stirrup contraptions.
My procedure did not take the 10-15 minutes that it normally would (more like 25 minutes) so I am sure that’s why I had more crapping and blood than the average girl. I was so relived when I was finished but wasn’t really expecting so much cramping. I was offered apple juice and extra strength Tylenol. I felt better almost immediately while we went over the whole IVF package with the nurse. I went to work right after and felt pretty good seeing my clients for the day. Cramping has almost completely subsided tonight. I was prescribed an antibiotic to take after the procedure and for the next two mornings.
Keeping you posted throughout my journey!