and so it begins...

This morning I had a blood test to check that I had ovulated this month. I called at 2.15, when they told me they would have the results, and I had (ovulated), so I got to start my IVF drugs tonight.

I start with Synarel, which is in the form of a nasal spray. It's taken twice a day, exactly 12 hours apart, AT THE SAME TIME everyday. So, I decided that 7.30 would be optimal. I usually don't leave to take Ollie for a walk until just after 7.30am and I'm home at 7.30pm. If I'm going out, it's not normally til a bit later and I can always take it with me.

What Synarel does is it helps in decreasing the amount of oestrogen the ovaries produce. Which makes it easier for the Doctor to "take over" and control when to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.

The only side effect I can really find that women have complained about, is a headache for the first couple of months. I can (probably) deal with that.

I go back to the clinic on the 15th and will then add injectibles to my list...

This week I started working part time at Lululemon in Sydney. I really like the company and the way it's run and the friends I made when I worked at the store in CT, are some of the peeps I really miss. It's lovely though, I get emails from them regularly and feel as though I'm still a part of their team.
Please COME AND VISIT ME.

Nicky is happy...

The Universe heard me...the full moon helped and I got my period.
Now I wait twenty one days to have my first ultra sound and blood test to make sure I ovulated and I can begin the drug taking...

I want it, I don't want it...

Either I'm waiting FOR my period, or I'm hoping I DON'T get it. I haven't had it since before the polyp surgery, but the Dr told me this would happen...it throws your cycle. Now, however, I have no idea when my period is even due. Well, it should be in the next week (or two)...hoping the full moon will help.

I chose a new donor. The pool is WAY smaller than when I was living in the US. Australia has laws that are in favor of the child being able to locate the birth father when he/she turns 18. Hence the reason there are only about two donors on the registry in Australia. The donors in the States are at University. They use the money to buy a car, or just live on it and, unless they elect to, can go off and live their lives and never have to think there will be a knock at the door or a phone call eighteen years later.

The clinic I'm going to is Fertility East, they're they only ones here who have a contract with one of the sperm banks in the USA and are allowed to bring the vials into Australia, which is HUGE. Everyone at the Fertility East offices are lovely and I have a really good feeling about having IVF through them...unlike the shonky Dr in Greenwich, who didn't see, or didn't bother telling me about the cervical polyp that would have hindered any pregnancies.

The costs associated are not cheap, but anyone who has got to this point is aware of this. Thank goodness for Medicare and private health insurance in Australia. Medicare picks up a large chunk of the expense and HCF (which is what I have), will cover a bit more...whereas in the US, NONE, I repeat NONE of the out of pocket is covered if you are over the age of forty, which is commonly the time most women really need fertility treatment. Go figure.

The largest expense, so far, that is not covered is the donor sperm, so if you have a partner, or someone local willing to be your baby daddy, it's not an issue. I do not, so the clinic recommended buying 2 vials, which cost $2600 and change to bring in. Half of which was the vials and the other $1300 was administration expenses.

C'mon period, so I can move forward and start this already....