It's 3am- do you know where your ovaries are?

Day Seven of Stims

Is it written somewhere in the IVF manual that at some point during the process, one must have at least one "wide awake at 3 am" moment? Actually, wide awake would be stretching things- a fretful, bleary-eyed awake is more like it. Last night was extremely unsettled- in the wee small hours, not long before I had to be up to make the drive with E. to the OC for my appointment, I found myself sitting at the computer, staring into cyberspace.

I suppose it would be fair to say that I have a lot on my mind. And it would also be accurate to say that not all of it concerns the pursuit of delicious embryos. Because, you see, in this house, one major life stressor isn't enough to keep us occupied, oh no. Now, in addition to the upheaval of E. selling his flat in the OC (a story which I haven't quite gotten around to telling you about, because in the larger scheme of things, it has thus far been relatively uneventful), we are also thrashing out certain major career decisions. Or rather, I should say he is thrashing them out. My involvement is more akin to a theater-goer, sitting in the darkened audience, witness to a series of interminably strung out encores, wondering when it's finally time to applaud or at least nip to the loo. I can't really say any more about it, and I am sure it will all work out just dandy. But honestly, I could do without the additional stress right at this particular moment in time!

Anyway. This morning, I went for my first ultrasound and bloodwork since starting stims. My usual nurse was off, and so I got stuck with a surly ist Affe schwächer geworden*. Och. You know, I don't expect the clinic staff to be my best friends, but neither do I wish to be treated with barely concealed ill humour. Then, for some reason, the stirrups in the wanding chair were set at a peculiar angle- that is, extra wide- and she made no move to readjust them. Plus, the chair itself was tilted really far back. Accordingly, upon assuming the position, I found myself slightly more flang-dang than was strictly comfortable, or indeed dignified. I mean, good grief, there's spreading your legs in the name of your ART, and then there's emulating Svetlana Khorkina.

To make matters worse, she then handed me a clipboard on which to record the follicular findings. I grasped the pen, sending up a silent thanks to the Land of the Hippogriff for warning me that such absurdities were possible. Nurse Fraulein commenced with the scan, barking out instructions to make a check in the appropriate column (i.e. left or right ovary) next to the number on the grid corresponding with the follicular measurement. Well, oooookay. Besides the fact my heart was beating like a frightened rabbit with anticipation, I confess I found it rather a lot to take in, what with my odd angle of repose, the dim lighting and the hunting of ovarian shadows on the screen.

The upshot: lining 5.4 (she said this was "OK", and while I probably should fret, I can't be bothered right now). Follicles: some. I actually lost track of how many checks I had made in the columns and she rudely wheaked the clipboard away before I had a chance to do a final recount. I think it was about 12 or 13, roughly even on each side. I'll confirm later when I call for my E2 number. I do recall that sizewise, on average, they were mostly 8mm, with one at 10 and one at 12mm. I had absolutely zero feedback or information whatsoever from the pissy clinic staff to indicate how they think I am doing. After a quick but ouchy bloodletting, I was dispatched with a perfunctory grunt of farewell, and the next appoinment set for Monday. Huh.

For now- Google, come here, I need you!

*German for "wand monkey".

Comments

[Cat]

Wait, they make you work while you are at the RE? Shouldn't you be getting paid for that? Hopefully you will never have to see Fraulin again.

[Pamplemousse]

Aaah, the wrestling with the clipboard and trying to write upside-down! The sweet, sweet memories - and all because they can't find another nurse. The bedside manner in Scottish IVF clinics can leave you gasping. Things sound like they are progressing well.

[Toni]

Having been there (on the table - not in Europe), it sounds like everything is progressing nicely. Don't worry about the lining yet - see Julia's post about lining :)

Good luck Mare...I hope this is it!!

[Suz]

Your follicles sound like they're at an appropriate size for Day Seven; I never really worried much about follicle size, concerning myself more with the E2 and how it correlated. I wouldn't fret about the lining either; it's still very early.

Best of luck!

[Cathy]

May you find gentle souls on the remainder of your IVF journey, Mare. And you cracked me up about spreading your legs in the name of your ART. I may have to use that in conversation sometimes. Thanks (as always) for your wonderful wit and storytelling. Who would have guessed an u/s visit could have me sitting on the edge of my seat?

[alex]

Two weeks behind you....thinking of you in these times alot. Grow follicles grow...reproduce abundantly oh follicles.

[Karen]

Sounds like a good start. Don't worry too much about the lining, it's early still. Good luck!

[Dead Bug]

I had such a long comment and Typepad scarfed it down when I wasn't looking. How irritating.

Anyway, glad to see that you have such a nice group of eggs a-brewing there on the farm. As Jeff would say, with a yearling-like twinkle in his eye, "Pfffffw," which you are to imagine as a loose-lipped rumble, much like the sound one makes when frustrated but indicating a much happier, equine sound. Very, very horsey.

Your story makes me even more glad that my R.E. does every wanding himself, and that I was never pressed into clerical service while my feet were in stirrups. May the awful fraulein never darken your ovaries again.

--Bugs

[Emily]

You sound right on schedule for seven days. This is why I bring my husband with me, because I completely 'miss' lots of things and barking numbers and left right at me would certainly be one of them.

Sorry about the extra stress, I completely get not needing anymore in your life -- kind of like when my darling husband decided to quit his job, but that's a story for another time.

[Emily]

You sound right on schedule for seven days. This is why I bring my husband with me, because I completely 'miss' lots of things and barking numbers and left right at me would certainly be one of them.

Sorry about the extra stress, I completely get not needing anymore in your life -- kind of like when my darling husband decided to quit his job, but that's a story for another time.

[Heidi]

I'm glad I went to the link you supplied for Svetlana. It gave me a very entertaining mental image for your not-at-all-entertaining (for you) visit to the clinic. I'm sorry you are under so much stress right now,but it seems things are progressing nicely. Anyway, can't you "Just Relax"? (I'm sure NO one has told you that, so far, right?) ;) Thinking of you...

[Thalia]

me too with the svetlana image, and thank you in particular for sharing the german for wand monkey. Can I make a request for the next one? How about...Xhosa?

[Thalia]

Oh, and yay for the number of follicles. I don't have a clue, but it sounds good to me.

[Mellie]

It surely wasn't the best way to find out, but I'm glad you learned that you are progressing nicely. Follicles sound good sized to me. And despite my husband's fondness for Svetlana (he loves her bitchiness), may we hope never to have to emulate her again.