Fertility clinic seminar

Last night I went to a "Meet the Doctors" seminar at a fertility clinic (or is it infertility clinic? what's the right title???). I ended up going alone because it was the 3rd attempt I had made to get into the seminar, and each time something came up. This time it was my dh's back to school night. So, I showed up, alone, and feeling really stupid, as there was only one other couple there. So the three of us sat and heard about trans-vaginal ultrasounds, and lots of sperm talk, and saw photos of fallopian tubes and all sorts of other lovely stuff that doesn't seem so mortifying when you are with an anonymous large group, but a little too intimate when it's just you & 2 strangers. The doctor seemed very animated (um, too animated for my taste), but I felt good when he asked if I thought they could see an egg on an ultrasound and I answered, "Um, I don't think so... they are very small." I was right!

This clinic as a whole has gotten rave reviews form others on the Nest boards, and their rates are much more reasonable than Kaiser's fertility clinic, at least for basic services & IUIs. In fact, I started crying at work when Kaiser called me to tell me the price ($560.00 for the initial consultation/exam!) This clinic is about half that, plus they give a 1/2 off coupon for your initial visit/exam just for going to one of the seminars. I seriously don't know what will come of this. I know that we just can't afford IVF. It's just not a possibility. I think the rate was $17,000.00. And there, of course, are no guarantees. I always feel like I need to qualify the statement "we can't afford that" because I mean, we have the money, but we'd really rather use it towards actually raising our child, or at least towards something that doesn't seem quite so statistically risky. Now, I'm not slamming the door on IVF, it's still open, but I'd need to really hear that we are prime, super candidates for the procedure, which I don't think we will. But, I'm going to make a call (hopefully an e-mail, since I hate talking on the phone), and set up my first appointment soon.

My only other hesitation is timing of all of this. I work so far from the clinic, I just don't know if there is a way to schedule all this stuff without having to let my work know. As I've mentioned in the past, my boss is freakily interested in my procreation plans, & I've tried to keep her in the dark as much as possible. I don't mind taking a day off here & there, but the logistics of it all seem very overwhelming. Well, I guess my first step is to make that appointment. Wish me luck!