day 2 - gonal-f 300 iu & iui vs. ivf

Day 2 of Gonal-F went smooth, except for me knicking my finger! Just be careful when you take the tops of your needles! I feel like I still haven't found the right amount of uumph to get that needle in the first time. Maybe the third time will be a charm! More below! [scroll please] :)

Some people get a little confused on the difference between IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization). These are two different procedures and most of the time your doctor is going to recommend you try IUI first as it is less expensive and invasive. That is, if you are experiencing male infertility or unexplained infertility. However, in certain circumstances, such as ours, IVF may be your only option.

If you are recommended to do IUI, you will still be undergoing fertility shots or medications to increase the maturity of the eggs. Around your ovulation, a sperm sample will be placed into a catheter and inserted directly into the uterus. This bascially gives the sperm a head start. The cost of IUI is much less than IVF. Your medications will be a large portion of your cost. This will vary depending on what you are prescribed and where you get your medications. In Nebraska, depending on which doctor you are seeing, the cost of the IUI procedure is about $800. You will have ultrasounds and labs as well that will cost extra money. Speaking with your doctor about IUI will give you the best and most accurate information. My husband and I never went through IUI, so I couldn't give you a week by week run down or total cost on the process.

If you are recommended to do IVF, get ready to wait and spend a good chunk of change. First off, my husband and I underwent Genetic Screening of our own. This made sure that we were not a carrier of the same disease and thus could carry on to our children. This was actually a very interesting process! Then we went on to injection training, where we learned how to take our injections and a good Q&A time. From here, I was advised to take a month of birth control before starting any other medications. Next, we had an ultrasound and blood tests to make sure my estrogen levels were where they needed to be. If all looks well, which mine did, you will be recommended to start your shots the next day. They will give you a calendar to make it a little easier for you as well. In my case, we are doing 300 IU of Gonal-F for 5 days and then I go in for another ultrasound and blood test to determine our plan of action!

Stay tuned for some of the cost of IVF, labs, and procedures that you will probably have to endure!

Thanks guys! xoxo

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