Having a baby begins the same way most things do, with a Google search. We investigate the options for fertility doctors in Victoria, BC, and make an appointment.
The first thing we learn is that you never wear cologne when you go to the fertility clinic. Embryos are very sensitive and can be affected by scented products. We are told this on the phone and reminded by a sign as we enter the office.
I originally wrote a quip about how the sign in the office was redundant, because Michelle reminds me every visit. Which is true, but I could not make the joke work, because I cannot even sell it to myself. She reminds me because she knows me.
The doctor quickly rules out further surgery to reverse the vasectomy, identifying himself as a man of great wisdom, and someone I like immediately. He suggests In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with an additional technique used to get my contribution without a scalpel. We are given pages of reading material and are sent off to get a battery of blood tests.
IVF is a complex and expensive process, with no guarantees. The blood tests help confirm that we can both live up to our end of the bargain. The consultation, and the information we walk away with, are to ensure we understand the stakes. We make our decision immediately; we are all in.
The names of professionals occupying the building are indicated by glass panels mounted outside the doors in the hallway. As we leave, Michelle points out a panel etched with the name “Butkis”, and has a little giggle. I can already envision her making fart jokes with the child we are here to conceive, and it makes me smile.
Notes about the clinic
This process of trying to get pregnant using advanced medicine I barely understand is emotional, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming. The professionals guiding us through the maze of drugs, tests, and procedures, greatly influence the emotional impact. I want to acknowledge the staff at the Victoria Fertility Centre because I cannot speak highly enough of them.
Dr. Steven Hudson, the central figure at the clinic, is exactly the guy you would hope for. You do not want to be speaking with a professional and find yourself worrying you are the smartest guy in the room, but then, feeling completely bewildered by five syllable medical terms is not the desire either. You want someone who portrays a confidence in their expertise and that communicates technical information in plain simple language. In this we are very lucky.
The staff supporting Dr. Hudson are warm, knowledgeable, and methodical. Trips to the clinic are frequent during some stages of the IVF procedure, but they are conducted quickly and efficiently. Despite multi-tasking at a frantic pace everyone makes time to be pleasant and helpful.
The most important aspect of Dr. Hudson and his staff is that they are emotionally invested in our journey. Most often they are communicating with us about appointment dates, dosage adjustments, test results, and protocols. It would be easy for all of that to become cold and clinical, but I never feel that anyone has forgotten the purpose of all this, which is to help us start a family. Everything is done with sensitivity, and a recognition of the impact this has on our life, and it makes all the difference. We are not just a file, we are The Brittons, and everyone is hoping for us.
No Votes Yet
Loading ...
Geez Dirk, I don’t know if I’m over emotional or what? You brought a tear to my eye with the last part. We are all hoping for the Brittons! Lots of Love!
Well, you may want to prepare yourself then, because I have some real tear jerkers I’m working on. (like this and this)
“…emotional, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming.” Wait till the baby(s) comes;)
Go team Britton!!!!
I say take what albert has said times it by 10 and add infinity
Well, everything except the baby thing, I think the most you can get now is 8 (tee. Hee )
Totally cheering for the team. I make a lot of jokes about parenting but it is hands down the most awesome thing ever. And despite your opinions about this next bit, I know it as sure as I know anything – you will make a wicked dad.
Just want you to know that in the category of ‘Cheerleaders’ , across the ocean, on the other side of the world, the Belleaus are definitely cheering loud and hard for you both.
“I can already envision her making fart jokes with the child we are here to conceive, and it makes me smile.”
Mikhail and I make up words that rhyme with “poop”. I don’t know who’s more amused …. and then the baby makes a big poop…. we all laugh
Sounds like you made a great decision with your doc. Sadly, Victoria is a liiiiittle far for me to be making daily ultrasound visits. Guess I’ll stick with mine! Best of luck!
[...] than your vagina. That is the title of a chapter in a fertility book I flipped through today at the clinic. Turns out, it’s [...]
[...] come here from the U.S. to our fertility clinic. The clinic and the staff are excellent, but primarily it is the cost that brings people here. In [...]