Tuesday 15 March 2011

Getting Knocked Up By Accident Would Have Been So Much Easier

So much is involved with infertility treatments. Blood tests, appointments, and paperwork.

Lots of paperwork.

There's also phone calls, doctor's appointments, and staying organized......... I'm not always good at staying organized.

Add having to do half of this in the UK and half in the US and it gets very complicated. I'm trying my best to keep it all straight in my head. Appointments here, phone calls there. Coordinating things between clinics. Figuring out which tests I can have done through my GP (on the NHS so no cost to me) vs those that have to be done by the private clinics that we have to pay for. I suppose in a way it's better that insurance doesn't cover any of this so I don't have to deal with them as well.

Then there's the new patient paperwork that we have to fill out for both the UK and US clinics. Mountains of paper that has to be printed and filled out and brought with us to various appointments. Some of the info is the same and some is different.  Some for this doctor, some for that. By this point I have memorized my husband's medical history. I think I know it better than he does.

Over the course of our infertility journey we have both been tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and Rubella more times that I can count. I have had more "internal" ultrasounds (think magic wand with condom on it) than any woman should ever have. I've learned to inject myself with needles. I've peed on sticks, in cups, and a few times all over the place trying to do one or the other. Who knew I'd get so comfortable carrying my pee around for other people to look at?

All of this in pursuit of a living, "take-home" baby. I know it will all be worth it if that's what I get. But sometimes I wonder why I couldn't have been one of those women who got knocked up and had to get married. Or who got pregnant on her honeymoon. Or "accidentally" got pregnant and didn't even realize at first.

Our first appointment with the Egg Donation clinic in the US is next Friday the 25th of March. I'm super excited about it. I'm also hoping that I remember to fill out all the paperwork, have all the tests, and don't forget to bring it all with me.

Pouring my heart out with Shell at Things I Can't Say

18 comments:

  1. So sorry you have to deal with so much paperwork and details. I am praying that everything goes smoothly for you guys!

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  2. Sending you love... such a difficult journey with a hopes of a beautiful outcome. Heres to egg donation and a take home baby for you!!!

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  3. I can't begin to imagine how hard it is for you, but I can imagine how worth it it will all be in the end. The paperwork seems ridiculous but necessary I suppose. If only young girls who got pregnant by accident had to fill in all the paperwork, it might make them think twice about sex.

    CJ xx

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  4. It just sucks that some people try so hard not to get pregnant and "oops" somehow they did and others try so hard for years with no results. Paperwork is such a pain, I can't imagine the amount you have had to fill out, but I am praying it'll be all worth it in the end.

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  5. Wishing you the very best of luck! Emma

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  6. Hoping all goes well for you on your journey and sending hugs your way.

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  7. You must have so much to keep track of across the 2 systems... I struggle when I'm living in the same town as my clinic and only doing a basic cycle. Great that your appt is coming up so soon... wishing you all the best from across the world xoxo

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  8. Seriously.. don't you wish you could somehow recapture the years when you actually worried that having sex might make you pregnant? I know I do...
    I hope you have safe travels across the pond....

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  9. I'm totally with you! When I think of all the late periods and panic attacks I chuckle with delirium at the absurdity of it all. If only...

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  10. What a tough journey you are on! I'm sending you lots of good wishes and hope. I'm praying for successful egg donation and a healthy, full term, beautiful baby.

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  11. Internal ultrasounds are certainly weird! Your title is too funny. Saying prayers for you guys!

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  12. That's a lot for you to go through! But, how amazing it will be in the end! Hang in there!

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  13. Stopping by from PYHO to wish you all the best.

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  14. Read your first blog again and see how far you've come. So thrilled you're at this point on your journey. Go girl!

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  16. very best of luck. Just found your blog through the blog horn.

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