One step closer...

Sorry, you must think I had fallen off the face of the earth. 

It has been a strange couple of weeks. 

Blood tests and new job last week. This week a virus. I am sniffling like a piglet and coughing like a 1989 Fiesta! 

The new job is better hours, and a little more active, but they know about the IVF. I was concerned that the job I had before was 12 hour shifts sat at a desk, with not much option to move around, not the opportunity to eat little and often, and a very artificial atmosphere. 

It is a really hard journey, as many of you will understand. I know the statistics, I know it may not work on the 1st cycle, but that doesn't stop me wanting to try everything to help it be successful. I had concerns that my job may have a negative impact on the IVF. Unfortunately, I hadn't been here long and wasn't in a position to ask for time off or explain about our fertility treatment. 


So, last Tuesday, off we went to the clinic. We were booked in for counselling and also to have my screening tests. Bloods were first. We went into the nurses room, and I was given a wee pot and a cotton bud swab and ushered off into a little bathroom, which also doubles as the man's sample room :)

After that was sorted, I sat down ready to meet my fate, and watched as she put 6 blood sample bottles into the tray. It was then that I realised I should have bought a Mars bar. Or 6. Or maybe an Easter Egg! She kept me talking and it was over in no time. It didn't hurt either. Because she took so much, she actually put a mini cannular in, rather than a needle, which made it more conformable. I believe the screening was for HIV, signs of STI's (past or present) Chromosome disorders/abnormality, and the Cystic Fibrosis gene. The only ones I am concerned about are the latter 2. They are something that go unnoticed and you wouldn't know you had them unless you are tested. 

The lovely nurse said to ring in 3-4 weeks to see if they are back. (2-3 now! And no, I am not counting the days, I am composed and patient!) I only have 301 hours till I can call for the first time!!

She also said that they already have a recipient in mind, but obviously cannot approach them until my results come back clear. But, she thinks the matching process will be quick, given my age. So treatment may be late June, early July!

And then into the counsellor. She was lovely. We weren't in there long. We are fairly positive people, and both feel we have thought both sides of the donor treatment through thoroughly. We spoke about what we will tell our child. 

We have always said we would be honest about the donor sperm to our child. ''Daddy was given a gift that helped us to have baby'' That sort of thing. We have also told close family and a very close friend that we are using a donor. 

The Councillor advised us that we do not tell anyone about the sperm donation. Including parents. That would now mean going and lying to them and saying that we have been successful with hubby's swimmers. Apparently, if we are concerned about the welfare of the child, this would be better as the child may not want others to know. 

I understand this, but if we are being honest with the child, then there is a chance that in 15 years, the secret will come out, and family will know they were lied too. I am not comfortable with this. I think we will keep it how it is, and only have close family knowing. There is always a chance that other people will find out through certain chatterboxes in the family, however I would prefer that to our child feeling that they were some sort of secret. 

I don't know what everyone else's stance is on this? 

So, now we wait. I have upped my water intake to 2 litres (most days) to try to get used to drinking so much. I find it easier to keep filling a 500ml bottle up. To drink 2 litres, you need to drink 7 glasses, and I just wasn't managing it. 

One step closer, but it feels like a long road ahead. Ladies, it certainly makes us stronger. 

Keep smiling world :)