Another FAQ

We've gotten new questions lately, now that we've entered into a new phase of this process, so I figured it was time for anther FAQ. So here we go:

1. "So...what the heck is going on now?"

I've been speaking in code, only because I'm mostly talking about my own body and I'm much too shy to give details. So let's just talk about this scientifically, and try your best not to think of me specifically, ok? ;-)

Before, at home, we were doing ICI - Intra-Cervical Insemination. This terminology is about both the sperm, and what you do with it. The sperm sample is very similar to the way it would be in nature - because naturally there is a protective goo along with the sperm to help protect them on their journey. As for use, this is a sample prepared for placement just like the good old fashioned method of conception...outside the cervix. Doing it the good old fashioned way means that the little guys have to make it through the cervix, then up to the uterus, then find their way up the fallopian tubes to the egg.

Right now, we are doing IUI - Intra-Uterine Insemination. The sperm for this type of insemination are prepared differently, removing the goo that is specifically there to get the swimmers through the cervix part. This part requires the Doc, because with this method, the doctor uses a catheter (read: long tube attached to the end of a syringe), and puts the sample all the way up into the uterus. This way, the little swimmers only have to figure out where they are, then go right into the fallopian tubes off the uterus to find the egg. Much less distance to travel, and less roadblocks in the way.

There is a really amazing slide show we found regarding conception, detailing how we go from swimmer and egg to a new person. It is just awe-inspiring how this whole process works: http://www.webmd.com/baby/slideshow-conception

2. "Does going to the fertility clinic mean you have to take hormones...and you might end up with 6 kids?"

HECK NO!!! The wife is saying already that if we ever end pregnant with three or more, she's picking out the cutest two and giving the rest away. :-)

Seriously, they have tested me thoroughly, and feel that I'm producing enough hormones naturally, and that my ovulation is happening as it should, so I don't need a boost. The doctor believes that our troubles up to now have been with the swimmers. The sample you get is only a portion of the donor's "contribution" - about a fourth, actually. And on top of that, it is frozen for at least 6 months (a quarantine period required by the FDA so that any diseases that the donor may have contracted around the time of the donation are caught). So you have fewer swimmers (a measly 15 million), and they are kind of lazy from sitting in a freezer.

If we continue to have issues, we'll look into the drugs, but we're hoping it doesn't go that far.

3. This one is an older one... "With two moms, what is the kid going to call you both?"

Yeah...good question. We're not really all that sure at the moment. I'm thinking, since the wife is a southern gal and still calls her mom "Mama", then she can have that one and I'll take "Mommy". Of course, that means that the kid will saying her name long before mine. But I think we'll both be happy unless the first word the kid comes out with is "Dada". That'll be rather awkward.

Well, that's it for today. Happy Easter everybody!!