Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Fertility Part 4

I kind of left this topic hanging when I posted about it way back in January!

Here is an update if you would like to know........(it may be TMI but you have been warned plus it is a little long)

We met with Dr. Gurtcheff on February 25th. After talking with her and giving her a history of our fertility problems, she diagnosed me with LPD (Luteal Phase Defect). I was sad that it really is my fault we can't get pregnant but we are hopeful that our new doctors, who specialize in this, will be able to help us get pregnant.

The plan for me:
  1.  Baseline ultrasound- This makes sure my lining is acting like it should. This ultra sound was not too bad but a little uncomfortable. Everything looked like it should so it was on to the next step.
  2. Blood work- Checks hormone levels and blood type, everything was good here
  3. Water ultrasound- Checks that there isn't any blockage or polyps that could cause problems, this was miserable! Luckily I should only have to get this once, everything looked "beautiful" according to my doctor (this was the most expensive)
  4. Clomid for 5 days. I had taken Clomid for 4 months before I got pregnant last time but the side effects this time were worse. The dosage and timing was the same as the last time I took it. Let me tell you that I now feel for all of the women going through "the change!" I had hot flashes like a menopausal woman, not even kidding. You know when all you want to do is run around outside in 40 degree weather with a Popsicle and shorts, there is something wrong. :)
  5. 2nd Ultrasound. This ultrasound is to see if I have any mature follicles so that we can trigger ovulation. (if you don't know what all of that means, try WebMd) Everything looked good here too.
  6. HCG. That's right folks, the same thing that all of those crazy people use to lose weight, it makes you ovulate. I had to take a shot in the stomach to cause my ovulation, I made Adam give it to me. I am not scared of needles or shots but when it is not a doctor giving it, then it is a little unnerving. Hubby did a good job.
  7. Progesterone. They had me start taking this after the HCG to make the "environment" in my body acceptable to have a viable pregnancy. Can I just say Progesterone is messy!
  8. After this we play the waiting game. I got a blood test on the 27th of March to find out if we were pregnant. I did not sleep the night before and I forgot to ask when I would get my results. I was a nervous mess ALL day. Around 3:30 the doctor called and told us that our test was NEGATIVE :(
So that brings us to now. I was devastated, upset, angry, jealous, etc. At the same time I am ready to get started again. This stuff is not cheap so hopefully something happens soon or we may have to wait to start a family until we save some more money, to pay for them to get here. This process is cheaper than IVF (which we shouldn't need to do) but it still costs. The plan for this month is the same as last (minus the water ultrasound) and will be, unless it has been 4-6 months and nothing happens then we will have to try something else. I am not trying to complain or ask for pity because honestly I am so grateful for medicine that can help us have children when we are struggling on our own. I want to blog all of this so that when I am a mom, someday hopefully soon, and up all night with a screaming baby I can look back and remember how lucky I am to have that baby and how much I wanted them. I also hope that if anyone reading this is struggling to get pregnant, just know you are not alone and if you have any questions or just need to talk I am an open book.

2 comments:

  1. I have another friend going through this exact same thing. She's lucky in that it's secondary infertility, so she already has a little boy, but she just keeps seeing that gap between her two kids growing and it's hard. You are so strong to be able to handle this trial so well! I know that you're probably sick of hearing it, but I got sick of hearing what a great military wife I am too...people still told me, so I'll still tell you. ;) I hope that you start getting some positive results soon.

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  2. Well its good to know that there is a plan to help get you guys a baby. Sad that you do in fact have something wrong, but cool that there is treatment for it. I know how you feel with clomid and the rollercoaster of infertility and the cost of it. It is an awful process!! Good luck with everything and I hope you guys get pregnant soon!! You guys are always in our prayers! And if you could use a nice vacation from all the craziness you guys are always welcome up here!

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