My IUI Update

On 25th October, I had my IUI. I had resigned myself that this first attempt may not take me anywhere, and was just pushing through the days that followed. I was asked to be on aspirin and progestrone supplements, and test for a positive pregnancy 15 days followinng the IUI. I certainly didn't have much hopes. Bracing against the terrible outcome, constantly by expecting it and being prepared was my ruling motto.

Around 9 days past IUI, I was in my office and noticed that my stomach was more bulged than ever. This always happens with me. Just before the periods start. I knew what was coming. The bulge was huge and more than what happens every month, but that was an unmistaken indication of what was going to happen. There was going to no positive pregnancy this time. Just a stupid period as a reward for all the pains and wait.

The period however didn't come. It wasn't time yet. Day 10 after IUI, the bulge increased. It was enormous and my husband could see it through my clothes and was perplexed. I looked as huge as I were when last pregnant with my baby. Seven months and few days. Could it be gas? My routine remained fine. I didn't suffer from constipation, so what was in this protruding belly. We waited through day 11. On Day 12, I booked an appointment with a Gyn (as my fertility clinic was closed for Eid), and she detected huge amounts of water in my belly and saw gigantic ovaries with multiple large follicles. According to her, all my organs were floating in water.

Why would such a thing happen? She heard me through my IUI story and when I told her I had many many follicles ready just before they gave an injection to trigger ovulation, her eyes sparked. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome - that's what they call it. She asked me to go and see my fertility clinic as soon as thhey open next day. But before she let me go, she took my blood sample for a beta hcg test.

An hour later, I called her to find out the result of the test. Again bracing myself for the bad news. Unbelievably, the results were not what I thought. For 12 days dpo, my beta hcg was around 280. Pretty high. Even higher than the normal range. Which means my IUI worked! Its hard to believe! Almost impossible. I have rarely had anything work for me in the first attempt. This IUI was somehow supposed to fail and I was to be doomed but strangely, it has worked.

My husband has a smile on his face after months. Apparently, he was more hopeful than me. If the IUI had failed, he would have been crushed. If the IUI had failed, I would have been left with nursing two broken hearts. One my own. Another my husband's.

IUI has worked but not without the 'gift' of OHSS. I google and find out that beta hcg can trigger a late onset of OHSS. So, that explained it. I had some OHSS due to injections - pregnancy just added fire to it.

I went to the fertility clinic the following day. The doctor saw me first thing and was clearly worried. No one had bothered me to educate me in advance about this disease. They administered shots and triggers without comprehending how I were responding to it. My ovaries had responded TOO well. And now they were double their original size. Doctor said he wouldn't drain the water but wait till next day. Next day, I met him again and he saw that water hadn't increased. So I was going to wait out until OHSS subsides on its own.

Actually, nothing much can be done about OHSS once it starts. My biggest concern was whether it will interfere with pregnancy and doctor said 'no'. I have no choice but to trust him. My belly is reducing in size. Am asked to drink loads of water and never never take bedrest but keep walking around to avoid blood clots.

So am still here and sorry for my long silence. As of now, there is a silver lining although not without worries. For 20 dpo, my hcg is still high. 3200, when the range is 500-2500. But am trying to be hopeful that this is my baby. This is what I have been waiting for. Please. Let me have my happiness this time. Let someone not snatch it from me. So am just living on some hopes now...