All Clear for Take-Off

Last Monday we had our psychological evaluation with Dr. Ott at the Center for Reproductive Medicine (CRM). Each of us filled out about ten pages of paperwork prior to our consultation, answering questions about everything from our perceived self confidence levels to sleep habits. And when I say "everything," I actually do mean "everything." We had to rank our satisfaction levels with our sex lives and our relationship, so of course I demanded D tell me exactly what she wrote for everything (I doubt that was part of Dr. Ott's plan).

Dr. Ott was a warm and very friendly thirty something woman who had actually given birth to her daughter after going through IVF at CRM. Following her treatment, she decided to dedicate her practice to couples facing infertility issues so she opened the Mind and Body Program at CRM. I'm privy to this information because I of course researched her history before our appointment.

We waited only about ten minutes before Dr. Ott's blond head appeared through the opened door in the waiting room. "Which of you want to go first?" I immediately jumped up and D grumbled. I knew though that I'd likely have a coronary if I had to wait in the waiting room wondering what D was saying in there during her interview. I had tried to anticipate questions like I do for job interviews -- "Why do you want to have baby?" "Have you prepared a financial plan for a baby?" etc. But she didn't really ask anything like that. Instead, she read through my paperwork and asked some very specific questions about what I had written. For example, one of the questions in the paperwork was "What three things would you like to change about yourself?" And part of my answer involved developing better public speaking skills since my lymph nodes swell at even the thought of presenting in front of colleagues. She found this amusing with me being a teacher and we discussed that for a while. After about ten minutes, I felt myself relaxing. Then it was D's turn and I uncomfortably waited in the waiting room and entertained myself as best I could with my iphone -- feeding virtual fish in a virtual fish tank. About twenty minutes later, I was called back in so the two of us could speak with Dr. Ott together. She smiled warmly and announced, "I think you two make a great couple!" And with that my shell of nervousness finally melted into a puddle at my feet. She excitedly went on about how we'll make great mothers and how we balance each other's personalities really well. While D is calm and peaceful (and apparently has "a great aura" -- which of course made me wonder if my aura was the color of poo or something), I worry enough for the two of us (or three of us when the baby comes). We then went on to discuss places in the area that offer prenatal partner yoga and types of foods that cut down on morning sickness. For that, she recommended mint ice cream. So D and I walked out of there feeling great about ourselves, our relationship, and our motherhood prospects. In fact, in the car D mentioned that it felt like our relationship had finally been validated -- it was sort of like the first time that we'd been approved of by a third party (probably because we're gay and thus never get the public support that straight couples get.) Regardless, we both felt great and went to our favorite Thai restaurant afterward to celebrate.

We scheduled the HSG test (a test during which a dye is injected into the fallopian tubes to determine if they're open)for last week as well. For that, I have very little to say since I spent the majority of the time in the waiting room watching the television screen read "no satellite signal" and listening to the FL rainstorm raging outside. I also brought with me a Chilean coin a colleague and friend had brought back for me after one of his many adventures -- he had said that it'll bring me good luck. I've had it with me for every important appointment we've had so far and will likely be clutching it in my palm when D's inseminated and when she gives birth.

After D emerged from the closed door, she said "Everything is fine" and then ushered me toward the exit. I assumed (as is my nature) that something was wrong; otherwise she wouldn't want to wait to talk until we were in the car, but of course I worried for nothing. When we were finally in the car, she said both fallopian tubes were open and Dr. Jaffe had even remarked that her reproductive system made a "beautiful picture" -- not one we'd likely frame and put up in the living room, but that still sounded really great. D prodded Dr. Jaffe with as many questions as she could get in during the short minutes it took for the doctor to reach the door (it was really crowded at CRM that day and Dr. Jaffe had appointments back to back) -- Can we buy the sperm? Can we get pregnant? To which, Dr. Jaffe gave her the all clear. "Order the sperm. You can get pregnant!"

So, we've ordered the sperm from California Cryobank -- six vials of a "very handsome" musically-talented tall blond and blue eyed high-STA-scorer who sounds in his audio interview to be extremely intelligent and kind. And we have a consultation with Dr. Jaffe on Tuesday, D's Birthday, to discuss drugs to promote ovulation and to schedule our first insemination in June!

Everyone think happy pregnancy thoughts for us in June.