Cautiously optimistic...

is probably the one phrase that would describe me right now. I cannot help to be optimistic after our first IUI, even if Mr. PB's numbers weren't great for both. I just feel great that we are actually doing something productive to help ourselves. I know feeling so positive will make getting bad news even harder, but I can't help it.
Now for all the numbers:
IUI #1 on Sunday 12/27: post-wash sperm count 10 million, but 75% motility
IUI #2 on Monday 12/28: post-wash sperm count 22 million with 4 progression, which according to the Fertility Bits blog:

how the sperm swim in a linear direction. Progression scores range from not moving (0) to rapid linear movement (4). All fresh (non-processed) and frozen thawed semen samples generally have individual sperm that exhibit all progression scores. The average progression score for a fresh or frozen thawed semen sample is between 2 and 3.

I had some cramping on Sunday afterward and more on Monday, but today I woke up with nothing. I did have to go to the dentist and let her know that I couldn't have an x-ray which prompted her to make all sorts of comments about me being pregnant, including commenting how much gums were bleeding (they bleed every time). Oh well.

I have my beta test January 10th with a follow-up appointment with my RE at 1. Hopefully they will have the results in time. I am desperately going to try not to test until then, but I know it won't happen. Part of me wants to test right now just so that I can see a positive, even though it would be a false positive because of my Ovidrel.

Fingers crossed! I wish you all a great New Years and I hope you all get everything you want in 2011.

Ready, set, trigger!

First time I ever had to stick myself with a needle and I completed it successfully. Mr. PB wimped out and left me to my own devices when I had to take my Ovidrel shot mere minutes ago. To be honest it wasn't so bad, especially considering up until about 10 years ago I had a HUGE fear of needles of all kinds. I am now ready for IUI #1 tomorrow.

Let me jump back a few days. One Christmas Eve day, Mr. PB and I got up early to head to the ultrasound clinic to see how my follicles have responded to the 50 mg of clomid I took from CD3 to CD7. The ultrasound clinician who was working was incredibly nice and explained the whole process to Mr. PB (who had no clue what was going on) and me. Turns out I had two nice follicles ready, one in each ovary (18 mm and 20 mm). After getting some blood work taken, Mr. PB and I went home to stare at the phone until it rang with the results. The nurse called me by about 1 and let me know that I needed to trigger on Christmas night and come in for my IUIs on Sunday and Monday.

Since we live 40 minutes away from the clinic, we planned our course and times that we needed to leave. However, living in New England nothing can be that simple in December. My parents came over this morning for Christmas breakfast with news that the small snow storm we were supposed to get from Sunday into Monday has turned into a mini-blizzard (over a foot is expected). The great parents that I have fear we will not be able to make it to the clinic on time (7 AM) Monday and are paying for a hotel and dinner for us right near the clinic for Sunday night. Now not only do we have a chance for our Christmas wish to come true, we get a mini-vacation. This is just one of the many reasons I am thankful we have been open about our infertility.

Hopefully some Christmas magic will follow us for the next few days and give us IUI beginner's luck. As much as I love spending Christmas with my cousins and their children, I cannot wait until it is my child everyone is fussing over.