infertility + life + work = ????

So, after the initial excitement of IUI subsided, as per usual I found something to worry about!

Heres the official schedule for IUI (No dates yet obviously, but it goes a little something like this)

Stimulated IUI - Step Down Process using FSH, Suprecur and Ovitrelle Trigger (used for u/e infertility)

FSH - This hormone directly affects the production and maturation of egg follicles. Women with ovulation problems or those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) will receive FSH injections to help stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. 

Suprecur - . This belongs to a group of medicines called gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues. This is a synthetic version of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It works by lowering the production of sex hormones.It works by stopping the natural production of hormones that control ovulation. Synthetic hormones are then used to artificially stimulate ovulation

Ovitrelle - Once the follicles have developed appropriately, one injection of Ovitrelle is administered. The choriogonadotropin in the Ovitrelle injection mimics the action of luteinising hormone. It is given to cause the release of eggs from the ovary in women who have problems with ovulation. 


CD 1

Call the centre as soon as AF arrives (or within office hours...) to let centre know you're coming in for treatment.

CD 2

Attend the hospital for blood tests and a scan to check everything is 'ready' for treatment. I will then collect my medications and be taught how to inject (should be fun for a needle phobic woman). Call centre between 2 and 3.30pm for results to check I can start injections and discuss dose, usual dose is 0.5 micrograms once a day given as subcutaneous injection. (great...)

CD 3 

Return to hospital again for another blood test to measure levels of oestrogen. The increase from day two gives the hospital a guide of the dose of FSH to use.  Ring results line between 2-3.30 again for information.

FSH is then administered once a day in the evenings - more needles.

CD 7 

Continue with FSH and Suprecur and go into hospital for scan on 7th day to monitor the response from the ovaries. Will be told when to return for the next scan

These days are now 'averages' for a 28 day cycle, I have a regular 31 day cycle so these might be a little out

CD 10 

 Blood tests and more scans to check reaction from ovaries and decide on when trigger shot should be given.

Trigger shot is given when I have 3 or under follicles that are 17mm or under.

CD 12 

Usual trigger shot adminitration day.

CD 14 

Insemination

CD 14 -28 

Luteal support with progesterone gel once daily in the mornings

CD 28 

Return to clinic for HPT. (Yeah right, as if i'll be able to wait that long)

So there is the schedule for IUI. I understand its no where near as hectic as an IVF schedule but, its going to require a lot of time off work. A lot of time off work that will be given at short notice.

This could go on for 3 months.

I'm really worried about work and what to do. I think my boss will be understanding, as she is really approachable and I have been able to talk to her in the past. BUT I can also see it from a business point of view, do they want to keep an employee on who will be taking time off work, with the possibility of becoming pregnant at the end of it? (I'm also convinved my boss has had some ART, she's an older woman, probably about early to mid 50's, has been married for 25 years and has once 13 year old son...obviously my head that means infertility issues...see what this does to me?!)

I'm sort of in employment limbo at the moment. My position with the university was a brand new one when I started, so was a temp 12 month contract, I have been told unofficially that that has been extended for a further 12 months, meaning I have my job until July 2014. If this is true it shouldn't matter too much about me getting pregnant, if I ever do.

Say I got pregnant on my third IUI, that would be July time, which would mean a little Briggs' would be due in April. April is the end of the academic year when the students leave, so if I left the job it would be at a quiet time of year and only 2 months before my contract ended anyway. That would be OK.

Spanners in the works 

1) The job extension is currently ONLY unofficial, whats to stop them completing the paper work once I come clean about my infertility treatments?

2) I don't particularly like my job, and it isn't permanent. I'm used to being a full time teacher with very little time to do anything but teach and plan, this job is so completely laid back and opposite Im having difficulty coping with it. I often take 2 days a week and work from home, because there is no point in me travelling in to work when I have nothing in my diary. Staff are very busy doing their own things so often too busy to meet with me, and if I'm honest I would LOVE to get back into a full time teaching role with younger students. The perfect job has come up close to home, full time, permanent, but starts in June. Im in no position to be starting a new teaching position smack bang in the middle of fertility treatments, with the possibility of finally becoming pregnant.

3) You will all remember me rambling and ranting about the NHS messing up our fertility referral when we moved back home. During the midst of this great NHS cock up, I got this job and we moved about 20 miles away, which just so happens to fall under a completely different primary care trust. I'm being naughty and still have my medical address as my childhood home, as I refuse to take another 6 month hit being transferred to ANOTHER hospital for the sake of 20 miles.

This is the difficulty with home, hospital and work.

Getting from our house to the hospital in Sheffield takes around 35mins, not a problem at all. Getting from my house to work in the car takes around 45 mins (in good traffic) BUT getting from the hopital to work takes around 90 mins in good traffic. Therefore just having a few hours or a morning/afternoon off work will be tricky.

4) After all this time trying to get pregnant, now is the only time I've stated to panic about finances and what we'll do. Currently we're living quite comfortably, bills are paid, food is bought, we can afford a few date nights here and there. But if I get pregnant, Im out of a job and we'll have to live on Martins wage which is good, but a bit lower than mine. We can live on Martins wage, but not in our current situation. (house, car, bills etc...) so I'm also panicking about that. Although rest assured, as selfish as it sounds, I wont let money stop us from being parents.


Argh, my elation and happy elephant has started to subside and I know feel more like this

But I know I should be grateful, as I have the opportunity many don't.

Steph