Operation Heads Up

Operation Heads Up is series of write ups about common procedures, medications, tests, and diagnoses associated with infertility. These entries were written by those who have been on the receiving end of the needle or catheter–they are not doctors, just fellow stirrup queens or sperm palace jesters like you. These write ups are meant to give you a heads up before your own experience and provide tips that have worked for other stirrup queens or sperm palace jesters before you. The information should never be used in lieu of medical advice from a doctor.

DIAGNOSES
1. Diagnosis: Anovulation
2. Diagnosis: Endometriosis
3. Diagnosis: Infertility Caused By Scar Tissue
4. Diagnosis: Luteal Phase Defect or Low Progesterone
5. Diagnosis: Male Factor Infertility
6. Diagnosis: Unexplained Infertility
7. Diagnosis: Uterine Anomalies
8. Diagnosis: PCOS

9. Hormone Level Chart (off-blog link)

TESTS OR SURGERY
10. Endometrial Biopsy
11. HSG (Hysterosalpingogram)
12. Hysteroscopy
13. Laparoscopic Surgery (for Endometriosis)
14. Postcoital Exam
15. Semen Analysis
16. Sonohystogram
17. Varicocelectomy

MEDICATIONS
18. Clomid
19. IM Injections
20. Metformin (Glucophage)
21. Progesterone Supplements (oral and vaginal)
22. Sub-Cue Injections

HOW TO VIDEOS FOR INJECTIONS (all videos are off-site)
23. Medications for IVF
24. Videos Galore–IVF Shoot ‘Em Up
25. Ganirelix Injections
26. Gonal-F Injections
27. Menopur Injections 1
27. Menopur Injections 2
27. Menopur Injections 3
28. PIO Injections

TREATMENTS AND COMPLICATIONS
29. IUI (Natural or Medicated)
30. IVF (Fresh Cycle)
31. IVF (FET or Frozen Embryo Transfer)
32. OHSS

THIRD PARTY REPRODUCTION
33. Choosing an Egg Donor
34. Choosing a Sperm Donor
35. Egg Donor Agency List (off-blog link)
36. Gestational Surrogacy
37. How to Tell Children About Third Party Reproduction

ADOPTION
38. International Adoption: China
39. International Adoption: Guatemala
40. Questions for Choosing an Adoption Agency

PREGNANCY LOSS
41. D&C or D&E After a Pregnancy Loss
42. Natural Miscarriage
43. Medical Management of Miscarriage (using medication to control a miscarriage)
44. Testing for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

MISCELLANEOUS
45. Acupuncture for Fertility
46. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) and Charting
47. Infertility Counseling (Therapy)
48. Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPK)
49. Prenatal Screening and Diagnostic Testing

50. Beta Chart (off-blog link)

LISTS OF QUESTIONS, BLOGGING ABBREVIATIONS, AND SPREADSHEETS
51. Questions When Choosing a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE)
52. Questions for a High-Risk OB (Maternal Fetal Medicine or MFM/high-risk OB)
53. Treatment Spreadsheet
54. Common Blogging Abbreviations (for the IF/pg loss/adoption community)

Please come back and add your own experience in the comments section for an entry after you have tried the medication or completed the procedure.

If you see a topic missing, propose a new write up.

Each entry follows the same format:

1. Why you would be doing the procedure, taking the medication, or having the test (the reason and common uses).

2. What you can expect (for example, the ins and outs of the procedure or how to give the injection).

3. Problems that may arise and ways to troubleshoot.

4. Personal tips.

If there is a write up missing from the list that you can complete, please email me at thetowncriers@gmail.com. We’re always looking to add information to the list.

If you still have questions after reading an entry, check the Peer Infertility Counselor List and write the person in the proper category directly. Make sure you mention the Peer Infertility Counselor List in the subject line of your email.

You can also search for stories similar to your own through the blogroll.