I realized that I've had several new followers over the past couple of weeks and I thought I'd give a recap of what's been happenin' for us since we started TTC 2 years ago.
THE BEGINNING: My husband and I started TTC in June of 2008 after we'd been married for 4 years. I'd been on birth control for a LONG time since I'd had irregular cycles forever. Never thought much about it, kinda considered myself lucky. Somehow in the back of my mind, I always felt I'd have trouble getting pregnant. I remember even playing the "what if" game with my husband regarding us having kids.
THE OB: When I quit taking the pills, I also stopped having periods. Which equals pregnancy if you're most girls. But not me. So I went to my OB who gave me provera to start my periods. This wasn't even always working so she ran some labwork which came back abnormal. My FSH:LH ratio wasn't right and my testosterone was like that of a bodybuilder.
THE RE: She was actually worried I had some type of tumor at this point, so she sent me to my infertility doc (Dr. Haas). He immediately diagnosed me with PCOS based on my labs/amenorrhea and then did an ultrasound showing 100's of cysts on my ovaries. Not so good. It was at this point that I realized something really wasn't okay with me. Hard thing to accept. I left the infertility clinic knowing that my life had just changed dramatically. Up until now, I kept waiting for someone to say "oh you're fine, you don't belong here."
THE MEDS: We proceeded to try metformin by itself for 3 months which did not work, I had a normal hysterosalpingogram (OUCH), and we moved on to clomid. After 5 rounds of clomid and zero ovulation, we had the "this-isn't-working" talk. I really didn't see that coming. Clomid works for so many people, I just knew I'd be one of them.
THE MONITORING: Seeing an infertility doc is a very time consuming and financially/emotionally draining experience. Their clinic staff is so kind and he was wonderful, but it is a tough road. We went in at least twice a month, but many months it was even 2-3 times per week for ultrasounds, labwork, etc. It got to the point where I was about ready to wear tear-away pants for my vaginal ultrasounds to save time and we were choosing the least bruised vein for blood draws.
MY SURGERY: But Dr. Haas gave us the option between injectibles or ovarian drilling surgery. I chose the surgery after much thought and many tears. I couldn't believe that so many doors were closing so quickly for us. The day of surgery (April 29), the last thing I remember before falling asleep is my doctor holding my hand and whispering to me that he'd get me my Christmas baby.
HOSPITALIZATION: I ended up developing a uterine infection 3 days post-op and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days. After lots of IV antibiotics, CT scans, and ultrasounds, I was well enough to go home. Amazingly, my period came 4 weeks later and was regular after that!
AARON'S SURGERY: We found out that Aaron had a varicocele, so we tried an IUI that was unsuccessful. How do you get unlucky enough to fall into not only the 10% of couples with infertility, but also the 20% of those who both have issues??? He chose to have the repair done to fix it. Turns out I was pregnant when he had the surgery. No wonder I was loving the flaming hot cheetos from the vending machine!
THE MISCARRIAGE: We were so thrilled to finally be pregnant, but when we went for our 6 week ultrasound, there was no embryo (called a blighted ovum). It was the single most crushing thing that has ever happened to me. Seeing that empty screen on the day that was supposed to be one of my best ever was terrible. Again, I rode down that elevator in tears with a broken heart.
THE BABY: Fortunately, we were able to get pregnant again just 6 weeks after my D&C. We were terrified this time that history would repeat itself. I cried for no reason and worried with no cause. Thankfully, this baby has been a fighter and things have went wonderfully. It's been a fairly easy pregnancy and I'm loving every single second. We don't know the gender because it simply doesn't matter. We know it's a baby and for that, we are eternally grateful!
THE BEGINNING: My husband and I started TTC in June of 2008 after we'd been married for 4 years. I'd been on birth control for a LONG time since I'd had irregular cycles forever. Never thought much about it, kinda considered myself lucky. Somehow in the back of my mind, I always felt I'd have trouble getting pregnant. I remember even playing the "what if" game with my husband regarding us having kids.
THE OB: When I quit taking the pills, I also stopped having periods. Which equals pregnancy if you're most girls. But not me. So I went to my OB who gave me provera to start my periods. This wasn't even always working so she ran some labwork which came back abnormal. My FSH:LH ratio wasn't right and my testosterone was like that of a bodybuilder.
THE RE: She was actually worried I had some type of tumor at this point, so she sent me to my infertility doc (Dr. Haas). He immediately diagnosed me with PCOS based on my labs/amenorrhea and then did an ultrasound showing 100's of cysts on my ovaries. Not so good. It was at this point that I realized something really wasn't okay with me. Hard thing to accept. I left the infertility clinic knowing that my life had just changed dramatically. Up until now, I kept waiting for someone to say "oh you're fine, you don't belong here."
THE MEDS: We proceeded to try metformin by itself for 3 months which did not work, I had a normal hysterosalpingogram (OUCH), and we moved on to clomid. After 5 rounds of clomid and zero ovulation, we had the "this-isn't-working" talk. I really didn't see that coming. Clomid works for so many people, I just knew I'd be one of them.
THE MONITORING: Seeing an infertility doc is a very time consuming and financially/emotionally draining experience. Their clinic staff is so kind and he was wonderful, but it is a tough road. We went in at least twice a month, but many months it was even 2-3 times per week for ultrasounds, labwork, etc. It got to the point where I was about ready to wear tear-away pants for my vaginal ultrasounds to save time and we were choosing the least bruised vein for blood draws.
MY SURGERY: But Dr. Haas gave us the option between injectibles or ovarian drilling surgery. I chose the surgery after much thought and many tears. I couldn't believe that so many doors were closing so quickly for us. The day of surgery (April 29), the last thing I remember before falling asleep is my doctor holding my hand and whispering to me that he'd get me my Christmas baby.
HOSPITALIZATION: I ended up developing a uterine infection 3 days post-op and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days. After lots of IV antibiotics, CT scans, and ultrasounds, I was well enough to go home. Amazingly, my period came 4 weeks later and was regular after that!
AARON'S SURGERY: We found out that Aaron had a varicocele, so we tried an IUI that was unsuccessful. How do you get unlucky enough to fall into not only the 10% of couples with infertility, but also the 20% of those who both have issues??? He chose to have the repair done to fix it. Turns out I was pregnant when he had the surgery. No wonder I was loving the flaming hot cheetos from the vending machine!
THE MISCARRIAGE: We were so thrilled to finally be pregnant, but when we went for our 6 week ultrasound, there was no embryo (called a blighted ovum). It was the single most crushing thing that has ever happened to me. Seeing that empty screen on the day that was supposed to be one of my best ever was terrible. Again, I rode down that elevator in tears with a broken heart.
THE BABY: Fortunately, we were able to get pregnant again just 6 weeks after my D&C. We were terrified this time that history would repeat itself. I cried for no reason and worried with no cause. Thankfully, this baby has been a fighter and things have went wonderfully. It's been a fairly easy pregnancy and I'm loving every single second. We don't know the gender because it simply doesn't matter. We know it's a baby and for that, we are eternally grateful!
Love hearing all the details of your journey, thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI second Tracey!! Amazing Journey!! So happy for you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your entire story. Isn't it amazing what some of us interfiles have to go through to get pregnant and carry a healthy baby to term. I'm so glad you two kept working hard and kept your faith in God. This baby that you carry now will be your everything and more and will be way worth any and everything you had to go through. Isn't God good!
ReplyDeleteAmazing story. :)
I wanted to thank you for sharing your experience. After 5 rounds of Clomid, 5 of Tamoxifen, our RE is finally talking about ovarian drilling. You have no idea how great it is to hear about your success with this surgery. I wish you the very best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteSo I'm a little behind the times, but I've been reading your blog lately and just wanted to say HI and that my hubs and I also live in the OKC area (Edmond to be exact) and we are seeing Dr Haas as well. We were supposed to do our first IUI this month but ended up not being able to afford it right now. So we'll be going back hopefully in the next month or so. I don't blog myself (about IF anyway - just about my stepdaughter) but couldn't resist introducing myself to you and saying thanks for sharing your story :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I found your blog thru Finch's and just wanted to say a quick hello and that I've really enjoyed reading ur posts (I haven't started from the beginning yet) and I hope u don't mind me following along as ypu get into the homestretch of your pregnancy!
ReplyDelete