I’m home and I’m raring to go. I’ve been reading all the books, working out what the good and bad foods are, getting my weight to a healthy place and sadly – watching what I drink! I know that you shouldn’t really drink more than five units of alcohol a week when you are trying to get pregnant but I rationalise this argument on the basis that I am not actually ‘trying’. That would imply regular attempts with a partner to get pregnant. If I am missing out on this more enjoyable aspect of the process – I should surely be able to pass on the more stringent dietary requirements too? Maybe I can just skip alcohol on the day insemination actually takes place?
Whilst pondering this argument I have my next appointment at the clinic – I haven’t been since May so this will be an initial chat to catch up with my Doctor and agree a timetable. The clinic calls to move my appointment a few days back which is unfortunate as the appointment was just before a break in my contraceptive pills which would mean I was seeing the Doctor just before the start of a new cycle (a cycle starts at day one of your period).
When I finally get to the clinic it is day five of my cycle. The Doctor has recommended three rounds of intrauterine insemination or IUI, which is the least invasive process as it really just involves putting the sperm in the right place during your optimum ovulation time (day 14 generally) – this process is more commonly known as ‘turkey basting’ for obvious reasons! Charming. I was surprised to read that IUI often works best with some form of stimulation of the ovaries to produce more than one follicle (egg) but with stimulation comes the very real risk of multiple pregnancy. I have to admit that I am struggling with the idea of having more than one child on my own. It seems so mad that I cannot even picture it and when the Doctor asks me how I feel about it – I can only reply that it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Which is true. The worst thing in the world would be not getting pregnant at all. However –we decide that since I have never tried to get pregnant and therefore have no obvious problems conceiving – it would be good to try to do the first cycle completely naturally. As I’ve been off the pill for five days now, the Doctor concludes that I am already well into my first cycle. I am somewhat shocked! I wasn’t expecting to be started so soon - but on reflection – I’m more than happy.
I go home and start thinking even more carefully about what I put into my body – what if this egg is THE egg? I feel that there has to be a balance between doing the right thing and feeling comfortable and positive about what you’re doing. If you stop drinking and start eating brown rice and lentils – but you’re completely miserable and stressed about it – your body isn’t going to be any better off than if you cut your drinking down, monitor your food intake but are still in a positive and calm place. Clearly there is a happy medium and I aim to find it. I have cut out alcohol during the week but am still consuming a bottle of wine over the course of the weekend. If things don’t go well – I will revisit the plan but for now that feels right for me.
Over my glass of wine I happily think about next weeks trip to the clinic - will it be successful?
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