Update: It is officially CD 1 of my 14th Cycle. I’m aiming for a due date of April 7, 2013. My period started this morning with some serious cramping.  My RE squeezed me in for a 2 pm appointment, and I will be cleared for Clomid for days 5-9, which is after our vacation.  Praise Jesus.  

Based upon consistent ovulation patterns, that is soonest I can expect to have a baby.

I called my RE’s office this morning to discuss the Clomid prescription. When I first had the initial consult with this RE, my third RE in 12 months, he explained the different protocols for medicated cycles. His explanation of the Clomid cycle was simply timed intercourse using OPK’s. On one hand I was a bit taken aback. I wondered what kind of chop shop wouldn’t do an initial ultrasound at the beginning of the cycle to clear me to use the medication. On the other hand I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to rack up hundreds of dollars in ultrasound expenses. This RE is almost 100% more expensive than RE#2 at a whopping $200 an ultrasound. So, for that I was thankful.

Turns out I misunderstood him. Well, to be clear I didn’t misunderstand him, he failed to mention that he does indeed do an initial ultrasound to clear patients for the meds. So when I asked him twice about the ultrasounds during a Clomid cycle, he was assuming I was discussing ultrasounds to monitor my follicles. Not the case, but I digress.

Today I am 12 DPO. I had some light, light spotting on Monday and earlier today, but I think I’m going to have a long and healthy 14 day luteal phase. Cycle day one will be on Saturday. We are flying out on Sunday and returning Thursday evening at 6 pm, which will be CD 5. In short, there won’t be an appointment for an ultrasound. He won’t do it until CD 1, and it has to be done before CD 5.

Now, I will be running my ass off today, slathering myself with essential oil emmenagogues, drinking ginger beer, and taking an herbal tincture to try to get this show started by tomorrow morning. If that is the case, I can get in for an ultrasound some time tomorrow.  doesn’t work on Fridays.

If it works I will be super excited, but I don’t think it will. So, despite last night’s post about taking Clomid during our vacation, I will probably not be taking the medication.  It is not even an option. We will of course try next month during Cycle 14. We did manage to get pregnant the first time on a natural cycle but that took ten tries, and it didn’t turn out well. I won’t be holding my breath.

That brings us to August and Cycle #15.  Based on past ovulation patterns I can expect to ovulate around August 19, if taking Clomid, with a due date of May 12, 2013. If we are lucky.

It isn’t October and it isn’t January.

It is so far away.