Well, Labcorp still sucks.  My test results for MTHFR were supposed to be in the computer system today.  Crystal (my SGFC nurse) called me this afternoon to let me know that she checked both this morning and late this afternoon and nothing had been posted on the Labcorp site.  Part of me isn’t surprised. 

So, in the meantime, let me fill you in on what I should have posted a while ago.  You are probably wondering why I am taking the Ovidrel shot and how exactly it is supposed to help me.  Dr. Mottla thinks that the reason why we have not been successful with maintaining a pregnancy is because my egg is not releasing from the follicle at the right time.  Basically, the egg hangs on longer than it should so by the time it is actually released from the follicle, it is starting to die off.  (He likes to say it is getting old and tired.)  It is alive enough to be fertilized, but because it is not fully alive the fertilized egg will only be able to grow/split/divide so far before it gets to a point where the next “piece” that it needs to continue to grow is no longer there so it stops growing and dies off. 

By doing OI (ovulation induction) with Timed Intercourse, Dr. Mottla is able to force the mature egg from the follice at the appropriate time thus guaranteeing us as long of an egg “life” as possible.  So, using this method, here is how this month will go.  On Monday (1/11), Day 12 of my cycle, I will go into SGFC for an ultrasound and blood work.  The blood work will measure my hormone levels and the ultrasound will allow them to look at two things.  First, it will allow them to check the lining of my uterus to make sure that it is thick enough for implantation.  Second, it will check for the follicle that is going to release an egg during this cycle.  This is much more obvious than I would have thought because this specific follicle appears to be at least 3 times the size of the other follicles on my ovaries.  The ultrasound technician takes a measurement of my follicle and if it is between 18 and 24mm (and my blood work is acceptable), I will receive a call that afternoon telling me that I should administer the shot and have sex that night and again 36 hours later.  If the follicle is not yet the correct size, I will return for another ultrasound the following day and they will continue to check until it is ready.  That’s it.  All in all, it’s pretty simple. 

It is important to note, this does not guarantee that we will be successful right away.  It only guarantees that my egg will have as much of a lifespan as a “normal” person and provide it with a greater opportunity than we have had in the past for being fertilized while it is still fully alive.  We still have to try our luck like any “normal” couple with regards to facing the odds of a sucessful fertilization & conception.  Also, this process does not guarantee that we will not miscarry again.  What it does for us is bring us back down to the same odds that every other “normal” couple has with regards to miscarriage. 

Hopefully this helps to explain a little more and answers some questions for everyone.  I’m hoping that Labcorp is just a little slow with the results and that they did not run the wrong test (like last time).  I’ll post again on Monday to say what the follicle measurements were and also to give an update on the MTHFR status.

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