God Makes All Things Beautiful In HIS Time

Hello Friends!

I hope that Spring Break has been a wonderful time for you and your families. Here in the Mott nest it has been a week of new beginnings! We took the first step toward parenthood with a visit to a reproductive endocrinologist (RE from now on in this blog). At my yearly appointment after we discussed the challenge Donny and I had encountered in having a baby, my OB/GYN Dr. Straughn referred us to Dr. Steinkampf  at Alabama Fertility Specialists. She also suggested that I do an ovulation test kit to be sure that I was actually ovulating, though was were almost positive that we were experiencing severe male-factor infertility. I know understand why pastors and mentors always tell you to have regular morning quiet times! When you do something first-thing in the morning, every morning, it sticks with you all day. The missing second line on those little strips each morning began to eat away at me - even though I was sure I was ovulating. It was such a relief when that second purple line finally appeared.

Yesterday was the big step, the RE appointment. Both Donny and I were so nervous! We really didn't know what to expect. The drive in to the AFS office was quiet. I imagine the staff  at AFS is very familiar with the scene in the waiting room, a nervously squirming couple, exchanging little smiles and squeezing each other's hands reassuringly. Well, maybe most couples don't have a big black lab napping at their feet. When she called us back, the nurse smiled reassuringly. She showed us into an exam room, then took my to do the normal BP and weight checks. I warned the nurse that my blood pressure would probably be high since I have been fighting high blood pressure. The nurse explained that most of their new patients have high BP the first time they come in. The blood pressure was normal!

I returned to the room feeling a bit more calm and carrying a big packet of papers explaining recommended tests before attempting to become pregnant. We looked through them an tried to make sense of which ones we needed and didn't need. About that time we heard a cheerful whistle coming down the corridor followed by a couple quick, light raps on the door. Dr. Steinkampf entered, flashing a friendly smile and squeezing my hand warmly. Isn't it incredible what small, simple mannerisms alleviate tension?  He listened attentively to our concerns, jotted notes, smiled and nodded, or furrowed his brow thoughtfully at all the right times. We were briefly interrupted for Dr. Steinkampf to go check on another patient. Before walking out he said he would return soon and departed with the comment, "We can help you." Again, wow! The relief one simple phrase can bring flooding into your heart!

After he returned, he went over our options for pregnancy: IVF, IUI with donor sperm, and embryo donation (a possibly we asked specifically about). Due to financial constraints, IVF was not an option for us and Dr. Steinkampf understood that perfectly. He explained the process for both IUI and embryo donation and also encouraged us to speak with his nurse practitioner. Because I had done the ovulation test kit, he knew when I'd ovulated this month so I could go ahead and come back this week for the progesterone test and be ready for either option. He gave us information on IUI and donor embryos and again reassured us that we should have the best chances for pregnancy with either option.

Next was labs . . . Yay (please read this dripping with sarcasm). I don't like needles, but I bet I'll be getting used to them. This was the only lab I've been in that was decorated with cartoony sperm stickers! There were surfer sperm, Hunter-camo-clad sperm, sperm in Trojan helmets, and the ever popular smiley-faced sperm squiggling over the doorway. To top in off, as the nurse prepped me, tying the tourniquet above my elbow, and I stared in the opposite direction she handed me a stress ball to squeeze. "Here, hold Mr. Sperm -he loves to help! Pump your hand for me." Wow! Just wow!

After I was done with labs, we went to visit with the nurse practitioner, Karen,  to go over our choices more in depth. She turned out to be the exact type of lady that sets you at ease and feels trustworthy at first introduction. She settled herself, criss-cross-applesauce, in an office chair across from us. That made me like her right away. She instantly felt like a friend. She handled our questions and concerns beautifully.

After talking with her, and taking what Dr. Steinkampf had told us into consideration, Donny and I have decided to pursue IUI with donor sperm! We are praying about starting treatment next month. Wow! God does make all things beautiful in HIS time.