What to do??

So, here's my dilemma. My DH and I want to begin TTCing. Originally, I had thought of September as the month. The probelm is that we have to do IUI because of his sperm count. I am a graduate student and need to have the baby in the summer, so Septmeber and October are pretty much the only months left to us, since August was my one year out from surgery and we decided to wait for blood work, etc. and November is too close to school starting with the way my cycles are. To make a really long story short, I started feeling a few weeks ago that maybe we should only try in October, because July would be ideal for maternity leave (I can have up to four months paid) which would also run over into my last year of graduate school by a few months, when I will be required to work 30 hours a week as a psychology intern without pay. But I suddenly started thinking tonight, "Well, what if it takes more than once this time?' With my daughter we did the IUI once and it worked, but that was four years ago. So, I don't want to put too much hope into once. I talked to DH- he gets worried, like he always does about money and time and stuff, so he wasn't really good about providing this type of advice. Should we only try in October because it would be more ideal? Or should we try this month too? What are your thoughts? I know I can always count on you guys!!

Carrie

IMHO I would try both months - but I am a woman who always thinks of the "what if" and I know if I counted on the first cycle working, with my luck it wouldn't.

Here's hoping that it all works out for you!

Liz

I'd say both months...but then I'm the type to fly by the seat of my pants w/no worries.  I leave it to my husband to do the worrying..he does enough for the entire family and then some.

If you're only talking one month difference, you'll figure out what to do for one month difference. 

I honestly am not trying to sound snotty when I say this...so please don't take it that way...but since you have so much going on for the next year...and it is important to you (not that getting pg is not important...I'm NOT trying to say that)...would it be easier to hold off for one more year when presumably things will have slowed down and you will have finished school and will be able to take off the time you need and not have to worry about getting pg in one or two specific months to time the birth for summer?  Because unfortunately, even if you did get pg in September/October...there's no guarantee that the baby wouldn't come early (God forbid) and really put a kink in your schedule.

Please don't beat me over the head for suggesting it...I'm not in your shoes and don't know all the ins and outs of your personal situation...I'm just trying to help find a solution that'd work around your school schedule - you've obviously worked hard to get as far as you have and see the finish line ahead.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

No ofense taken! I appreciate your response. I know it isn't optimal, but here's the thing: In my first two years after graduate school I have to work full time in order to be licensed for a lot less money than I am making now, which means that I'll take a pay cut. Additionally, my current job has excellent maternity benefits- 4 months paid! Who gets that? No one else that I know of comes close to that around here. Additionally, my daughter will be turning four years old soon, and that has ended up being a bigger space than I thought, and I don't want to go too much further. So, we'll give it a shot. We both feel that it is the right time and spacing for our family. If it doesn't work, it will end up being the next year anyway! Thanks for the advice. Most people think I am crazy about the stuff I take on, but I guess I'm just a high achiever.

Carrie