Cycle Monitoring #1

Today is cycle day 3 for me.

I went in to my fertility clinic to get my blood test and ultrasound done. I expected the serene waiting area I saw the first time I got half of my blood taken. Not so.

Since cycle monitoring is from 7:00 to 9:00 am, the large waiting room was filled with women of all ages waiting to either get their blood drawn or have their ultrasound while the cooking channel was on the huge 60" inch screen in the waiting area. Some had kids with them already, some were there starting at their blackberrys. Some looked like high powered business women in a rush, others looked like artists, accountants, students.

I've always been obsessed with looking at engagement rings - some had huge rings, some had simple but beautiful bands and others had nothing.

I felt instantly conscious. Would I look like an irresponsible woman attempting to bring a child into this world out of wedlock?

It took me a few minutes to realize that nobody really cared whether I had a ring on my finger or not. They almost seemed eager to get these tests done so that they could move on with their day.

The joy of being a novice is that you notice everything.

My blood was drawn by a lady who didn't say a single word. Not even a hello or a smile.

After having one vial of blood taken this time (yay!!), I waited for my trans-vaginal ultrasound. Luckily, day 3 didn't seem like a messy day for me. "Is this normal?" I wondered as I waited.

I hate to be graphic, but I was wondering if maybe other women have a bit more 'AF mess' at this point. When you're TTC, you wonder if anything your body does is normal. Maybe those cramps were a bad thing. What if the lack of cramps are even worse. My boobs don't hurt, maybe they should by now, etc. etc. etc.

In any case, my name was called and the Tech was a lovely woman who greeted me with a smile and called me honey. I've had ultrasounds like these in the past and the Tech usually leaves the room while you undress (bottom half). This one didn't. I figure she does countless ultrasounds a day and can't run in and out.

I did what she requested and hopped on the table.

Since the screen wasn't pointed towards me, I thought I could read something in her face as to whether or not she saw something abnormal in or around my reproductive system.

I understand that one of the goals is to see how many and the size of follicles I have in each ovary. Although I couldn't really read her face, I did see her counting. I think I read her lips up to 8 on one ovary. Not sure what this means. I've heard that having too many is not a good thing and having too few isn't not a good thing either.

I was in and out of the clinic in 25 minutes. For someone as impatient as me, that was great!

Now I'm waiting for the nurse to call and give me the results of my blood and ultrasounds... hope I'll be able to jump this hurdle.