Finally Received Our Medication Protocol (Oh Boy!)

            As of Monday, October 15^th, I finally received my medication protocol, which tells me when to stop the BC pills, when to take estrogen, when to begin Lupron and when to begin the Progesterone shots. Funny, because you are supposed to receive your medication protocol by the 15^th of the month prior to your cycle (mine is in November) so of course I received mine on the 15^th. I actually emailed the IVF nurse the morning of the 15^th because I still hadn’t received it; she had it to me within a few hours. I don’t actually begin any medications until the 23^rd, so there technically was no rush. But as any of you infertility mama’s out there know, we are always excited and eager to get the next step. (Or maybe that is just me).

            This time around we know that we need a 23guage 1/2inch needle for the progesterone. Last time, it took us weeks of experimenting with longer needles and many bruises to figure this out. Hopefully, we get the shot location correct too. I remember that last time, for some unknown reason, besides my sheer laziness we never took the time to warm my skin prior so that the oil with the progesterone spread into the muscle easier. This too took some time to learn, with a few more weeks of knotted oil under my skin.

            So, this time around I am little older, a little wiser, and a little more tired (insert smiling but serious face here.) How do I feel about all of this? Perhaps slightly nervous about all the shots. I think a main concern is doing it right. This whole EA procedure seems a little fragile to me and I am so afraid I will do something wrong and jinx it; however, as I typed that sentenced, it was if God whispered to my heart, “but you are not in control, I AM.” Boy, I am so glad that is the truth. These babies that we have/will have are already known by God. He will call them into being as the time is right, regardless of if I don’t warm my skin before a shot, or massage it long enough after. I am so thankful that God is in control and He is waaaaaaay more qualified than me.

            For those of you wondering, here is the breakdown of my protocol:

·        On 10/23/13 I begin giving myself shots of Lupron

·        On 10/27/13 I stop taking my BC pills and should have a period

·        On 11/1/13 I go for my first ultrasound to check my endometrium lining and estradiol levels

·        On 11/2/13 I begin taking Estrogen through and beyond 11/15/13

·        On 11/15/13 I get my second ultrasound and Estradiol lab work before the transfer

·        On 11/16/13 I increase or decrease my Estrogen (based on the lab work) and begin receiving Progesterone shots and continue these until the transfer

After the transfer takes place I will continue the above medications until a pregnancy test; if positive, I will continue the protocol until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy (that is a long time!)