Fertile Myrtle and Not-so-fertile Turtle

So I really have had no idea what to do about the 'baby' thing...my husband doesn't just WANT more children...he feels strongly that we should have more children.

And I've already shared that we lost two pregnancies. There was also a third, but I didn't even make it to my first appointment with the doctor because I miscarried naturally. (Um, hello painful...) And that time I told NO ONE until months later. This was in May of 2010.

So, two+ years and three failed pregnancies later, we have not gotten pregnant again. I know we don't rank among the worst cases out there when it comes to this, but it's pretty obvious that if we've only gotten pregnant 3 times in the last 7 years and none have been viable...something is wrong.

Now you may ask, "Have you looked into adoption?" Yes, we have, but in order to get a baby through LDS social services (which is who we'd really like to go through) you have to have documented infertility. I don't know if it has always been thus, but it is now. Although, I will admit that I haven't looked into any other agencies.

There are others of you who are also probably asking, "Have you gone to see your doctor about fertility?" Well, since you ask, also YES! We didn't go for a long time, but when Chris went into the Army it was just the green light we needed to at least look into what might be going on with us. (Which we would have to anyway for adoption...)

So, I went to my doctor, who referred me to my OB/GYN (that's the way it works in the Army...lots of referrals), who ran a few tests and said, "I think I need to refer you to a specialist." Which was good news and not so good news. I mean, if you're going to a specialist then you feel good that you're going to an expert. However, if you're going to a specialist, you might be really jacked up.

So, in March of this year we went to see our new fertility doctor and they started doing lab work and tests immediately. It took us until just last month (July) to get all results in, but the good news is I AM HEALTHY!!!! Well, fertility-wise. So, yay!!!! No fertility meds for me! However, it is also the bad news because my husband is the problem. Hmmmm....

So, there are two methods used to help get pregnant: IUI and/or IVF. IUI (intra-uterine insemination) is where they just inject sperm directly into the uterus. I believe this is so the sperm doesn't have to travel so far as it does with the "natural method." (ha ha) IVF (in-vitro fertilization) is the petri dish method. Essentially, they take the best sperm, the best eggs, make zygotes and then implant the best ones in the womb.

So, my husband's sperm (OMGosh, he's just going to love that I'm blogging this...) has no issue with motility or count. The problem is morphology. That's just a really nice way of saying "development." "Normal" morphology should be at 15%. Which is, at least 15% of a guy's sperm should have one normal sized head and one normal sized tail. His is 4%.

SO, what does this mean? Well, basically, IUI ain't gonna cut it. It will be just about as good as "doin it" the good ol' fashioned way. Which means, IVF IT MUST BE!!!

We're actually ideal candidates for IVF because my eggs are actually the eggs of a teenager AND my uterus is normal! Again...YAY! And even though Chris's sperm are less than ideal, the clinic is going to pick the normal 4% to use for the IVF (because they take the best), so my gut tells me that if we do this, it's going to happen. Double YAY!!

So, here's my final thought and question...how do you pay for IVF?

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