You’re Mocking Me
17 April 2008We had our baseline ultrasound and blood work done yesterday. I was expecting an easy day. We had to sign our consent forms, run the tests and make the final payment. Well, that part wasn’t easy. IVF isn’t covered by our insurance, so we are juggling credit cards to make it work.
After disrobing I noticed the set of instruments laid out and waiting for the doctor. There were things there I wasn’t expecting - like the catheter. It struck a little fear in me. About a month back when I got the saline sonogram (saline injection in uterus) I had 2 doctors rooting around for about 20 minutes trying to insert the catheter. Apparently my cervix is angled and moves around a lot. I would too if a plastic tube was poking me, but anyway… They eventually resorted to using tenaculum forceps to hold my cervix in place. It’s a clamp. On your cervix. If it sounds like it hurts, it’s because it does.
From reading other IVF blogs, I knew that many (all?) women go through a “mock” transfer to make sure there are no complications with catheter insertion. As they explained it, they don’t want any surprises when it’s time to insert the catheter with the actual embryos. I get it, but I just didn’t know that I would be getting one - and specifically getting one yesterday.
They started the exam with the vaginal ultrasound, which yielded 7 follicles. I wasn’t surprised. We’ve done 5 ultrasounds now (one was about 2 years ago) and the approximate results were 16, 6, 5, 12, 7. I’m not sure why it varies from month to month. 7 is on the low side for my age, but last month they saw 12 - so there is hope that the drugs will stimulate the little beasties to grow. There were no cysts, my lining was thin, and my uterus looked healthy so that was all good.
Next it was time to do the mock transfer. The speculum insertion went about as well as it ever does. It’s uncomfortable, but not painful. Anyone who has ever had a pap smear knows the feeling. Then it was time to insert the catheter. Of course it didn’t go in. No amount of bending got it in. There was talk of the tenaculum. I was getting more nervous by the minute.
The hospital we’re using is a teaching hospital, so at every appointment we have 2 doctors in the room. The seasoned vet and the young pup. In most cases the young pup tries things first, and the catheter insertion was no exception. He tried for about 5 minutes. Thankfully, one of the really senior doctors walked in the room as this was all going on, and the baton was passed. He got that sucker inserted in less than a minute. Feeling the catheter inserted is painful enough without having your cervix in a vise at the same time.
Overall the day was a success, but those types of procedures are very invasive. It’s hard not to feel a little violated when people are mucking around inside of you for that long.
We start the stimulants on Friday and are hoping that the monitoring appointments next week show growth and progress.
on April 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am
You? Think of me! I had to watch the whole thing. I have to tell you that it was very uncomfortable for me seeing you so very uncomfortable.
And the worst part was probably the wait. Seriously - having to sit there half naked (you, not me) with the stirrups and catheter staring at you for, what…a half hour? That was a torture of anticipation itself.
You did great, though, and it’s over and I’m thinking totally smooth sailing from here.
That’s your “upside” moment for the day.
on April 17th, 2008 at 11:43 am
>> And the worst part was probably the wait.
Not even close. I much prefer the wait over feelings of violation. We’ll talk after you’ve had a prostate exam.