Consultation - first steps...

In February 2010 I had my first consultation and met with my doctor at the fertlity clinic. I asked my friend to join me. This was the first time I went to the doctor with another person since my mother use to take me for ear infections when I was in grade school. It was so funny! We laughed and laughed at various moments. As so many new and "alternative" information was given/asked, it was nice to have a friend to be there to share in the uncomfortable moments and just laugh. It also helped that my doctor was really funny, he reminded me of Jay Leno.

At this appointment I found out that OHIP will cover all of the cost except the price and delivery of the sperm specimen. He gave me three companies approved by this clinic which are sperm banks. I found out that the insemination would take place the day before my ovulation began and the day after. It wasn't going to be a vaginal injection, but "a more efficient method of artificial insemination is to insert semen directly into the woman's uterus. Where this method is employed only 'washed' semen may be used and this is inserted by means of a catheter. Specially designed equipment is available for carrying out artificial inseminations. Semen is occasionally inserted twice within a 'treatment cycle'. If the procedure is successful, the woman will conceive and carry to term a baby. A pregnancy resulting from artificial insemination will be no different from a pregnancy achieved by sexual intercourse." This method was new for me and the conversations around "washed" and "unwashed" sperm provided a comical stage to say the least.

At the end of my appointment I was given a sheet with lots of bloodwork to complete immediately after my first appointment, and two more days with separate appointments later on in the week to begin my baseline which included more fertility testing (pelvic ultra sound and a test which checked to make sure my tubes were clear - more information later). There was no wait at the blood lab, it was on the same floor, which is part of the clinic.

So far I have had to make the correction, "no husband, no partner, just me" a few times. I have thick skin, so this didn't bother me at all. In fact, I think it bothered the nurse, technition, and doctor who made the mistake and spoke before referring to my file. Before leaving the clinic after my first appointment I was able to sign up for an orientation to help me understand the process.

This is just the beginning, more appointments and test to follow.
Next steps "Fertility Testing"...