Infertility Isn't Funny

The first thing I need to make clear is that there is nothing funny about infertility. So if you plan to write a lengthy comment explaining this, please don’t. I didn’t say I’m laughing at fertility. That would be mean. I’m laughing through it. Since I’m experiencing it myself, I’d like to do it with as much cheer as possible for someone as naturally realistic (read – pessimistic) as I am.

This is how pessimistic I am – I haven’t even finished IUI (intrauterine insemination, aka the turkey baster method) yet, but I’m reasonably confident enough to start this blog (no small feat for someone as technically challenged as I am!) and know that I’ll have something to write about the next few months. That won’t be pregnancy related, like I already promised. I’m that confident I’ll have stuff to talk about, that IUI isn't going to work.

This is in direct contradiction to the unreasonably cheerful optimism of my partner (to use the message forum lingo I learned upon entering the world of infertility – “DH,” for “Dear Husband”) who, until I recently burst the bubble, insisted we focus on IUI which “could work.” We each heard “20% chance” and “poor sperm quality,” but as with most couples, drew completely different conclusions from these facts. I started saving money for IVF, and he got excited because there are Sports Illustrated magazines in the RE’s office (that’s reproductive endocrinologist, or doctor of yee barren women). But I get ahead of myself.