So the most asked question is "how did you guys get pregnant?" No I didn't go to a bar and pick up some guy, we didn't use a friend and we didn't do it at home.
We actually started the process back in December 2007. I had to take my temperature every morning before getting out of bed. I kept track of my temperature and eventually my ovulation. It was really interesting because you start to notice how your body changes as it prepares for ovulation, etc.
We started trying to get pregnant in April. We went to a lesbian-owned sperm bank in the city to purchase our sperm and for the first few rounds of IUIs (inter-uterine insemination). Our selection of a donor was based on someone that had similar physical characteristics and likes and dislikes as Leeane. This is not a turkey baster like you might have heard. We had to test for ovulation and when I had an LH surge, we went to the clinic. They take a syringe with a long catheter on the end and thread it through your cervix. Once in, they inject the sperm and you sit on your back for about 10 minutes.... and then you wait. You have to wait about two weeks before you can test.
We tried for six months with no success and in September we finally decided to use Kaiser Permanente for our fertility services. I met with Dr. Erica Breneman, who ran tests and said (like every other doctor) that she didn't think I would have a problem getting pregnant.
I did the same testing as before, but this time they did a scan and decided that I needed a boost to my uterine lining. I took two pills a day and Leeane also gave me an injection to induce ovulation. This allowed us to time the IUI with greater precision than before. When the time came, I went to KP and she did the IUI. I sat there and then went to work.
Two weeks later I was in spin class at the gym and just didn't feel right. At lunch I went to the drug store and got a pregnancy test. The first one immediately turned blue... this never happened before. I immediately called Leeane at work and she just knew. Best day of our lives.
We have decided to be very open about the process so feel free to ask me as many questions as you would like.
Advice:
Ask for a follicle scan at the beginning. We waited because every doc said that I would have no problem. Once we did the scan we made a small tweak and it took the first time.
Don't get frustrated... yeah right. It will happen and you will get upset every time it doesn't take.
If you have a doctor who can address fertility... use them. That was the best decision that we ever made.
We actually started the process back in December 2007. I had to take my temperature every morning before getting out of bed. I kept track of my temperature and eventually my ovulation. It was really interesting because you start to notice how your body changes as it prepares for ovulation, etc.
We started trying to get pregnant in April. We went to a lesbian-owned sperm bank in the city to purchase our sperm and for the first few rounds of IUIs (inter-uterine insemination). Our selection of a donor was based on someone that had similar physical characteristics and likes and dislikes as Leeane. This is not a turkey baster like you might have heard. We had to test for ovulation and when I had an LH surge, we went to the clinic. They take a syringe with a long catheter on the end and thread it through your cervix. Once in, they inject the sperm and you sit on your back for about 10 minutes.... and then you wait. You have to wait about two weeks before you can test.
We tried for six months with no success and in September we finally decided to use Kaiser Permanente for our fertility services. I met with Dr. Erica Breneman, who ran tests and said (like every other doctor) that she didn't think I would have a problem getting pregnant.
I did the same testing as before, but this time they did a scan and decided that I needed a boost to my uterine lining. I took two pills a day and Leeane also gave me an injection to induce ovulation. This allowed us to time the IUI with greater precision than before. When the time came, I went to KP and she did the IUI. I sat there and then went to work.
Two weeks later I was in spin class at the gym and just didn't feel right. At lunch I went to the drug store and got a pregnancy test. The first one immediately turned blue... this never happened before. I immediately called Leeane at work and she just knew. Best day of our lives.
We have decided to be very open about the process so feel free to ask me as many questions as you would like.
Advice:
Ask for a follicle scan at the beginning. We waited because every doc said that I would have no problem. Once we did the scan we made a small tweak and it took the first time.
Don't get frustrated... yeah right. It will happen and you will get upset every time it doesn't take.
If you have a doctor who can address fertility... use them. That was the best decision that we ever made.
Hey ladies,
ReplyDeleteI love the blog idea and will checking the site for your updates. I'm so happy for you two. Miss you lots.
Diana