This post is late, because things have been busy so I've not got round to it, until now.
A few weeks ago we had our Consent Appointment (lots of forms), injection training and our final blood tests before commencing our treatment protocol.
The consent forms are sent out and we have to go through and fill them in. Consenting to the treatment plan agreed on (stating that we agree to be prescribed the drugs, that we agree to having our eggs and sperm used to create embryos, that we agree to have them frozen and subsequently thawed and transferred back to my uterus, that we accept that the clinic can accept no responsibility for any problems with the embryos and that we are aware that there may be no viable embryos resulting from our treatment cycle, that we agree to have ONE embryo transferred, that in the event of either of our deaths or mental incapacity, we agree that the remaining partner may use the sperm/eggs/embryos for future treatment, that we agree to our eggs/sperm/embryos which are not of usable quality for our fertility treatment being used for research, etc, etc etc.) We also signed to say we agree to the clinic storing our embryos for up to three years for us, we can use them in the interim, but if the first cycle is successful, the remaining embryos will be kept frozen for up to three years before the clinic contacts us to decide if we want to keep them frozen or if we want to dispose of them. I'm glad we don't have to make that decision yet. For one thing we don't know how many viable embryos we will have in the first place. This might not even be a decision we have to make. If we only get one embryo, that's our chance. Otherwise, we'll need to make a decision, in the future, about the remaining potential babies on ice.
We were also shown how to administer the Gonal F, the first drug I will be given. The training involves a lovely nurse showing us the pre-filled pen we will be using (very like a pre-filled insulin pen). We were shown how to screw on the needle and set the dose by twisting the pen until 112.5 is displayed in a little window. Then the nurse brought out a 'skin pad' which is a square plastic frame with a gel filled pad of pink 'skin'. She pinched the 'skin', inserted the needle and then pressed the end of the pen, held it down until the dose was delivered, released and then removed the needle. We can inject either into my thigh or my stomach, whichever is most comfortable. Ha. As if either is going to be comfortable. I'm very glad that my husband is happy to administer these injections for me. I'm not sure I could cope with doing it myself, especially as it seems you need at least three hands to do everything right. The nurse said they will teach us the technique for the next lot of drugs once we're ready to start taking them (loading syringes from ampoules). How exciting.
Final blood tests were relatively simple, just for communicable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. We both know we're clear of these because we've had these blood tests done several times over the last 3 or so years. But the clinic has to check. So hubby's blood test is no problem at all, he has very accommodating veins. Mine are smaller and, although I'm an old pro at having blood taken by now, this one felt more uncomfortable. The pain as she took the needle back out was enough to make me wince and I could feel the bruise forming. I did get a pretty impressive bruise in my elbow which lasted nearly two weeks and went very pretty colours. Always fun and games.
The clinic also gave me a private prescription for Provera, a drug used to bring on a withdrawal bleed if my cycle has been too long. This isn't funded through the NHS funding, so it's separate and up to me to get it made up. The prescription of our fertility drugs, the Gonal F etc, are being filled by a company with the appropriately fertility based name of Stork. They contacted us the following day to arrange delivery of the two boxes of drugs and paraphernalia - syringes, sharps box etc.
I had the Provera prescription filled and when I reached cycle day 40+ we decided that taking the Provera would be a good idea. In the past when I've taken Provera, a withdrawal bleed has started within five days, this time it was eight. Just my body letting me know who's in charge.
So, tonight (Day 2 of my cycle) my lovely husband gets to administer my first stimulation injection of Gonal F. I have my first monitoring appointment on Friday at 7.45am and they will do an ultrasound and a blood test to see how the follicles are developing.
Every step from now on is one step closer to our baby.
I'm really excited.
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