A year after my husband and I were married, we decided to start trying to have a family. So for lack of a better term, "we pulled the goalie". A little more than a year went by and nothing happened, so at my annual woman exam I talked to my doctor about it. She showed some concern due to our young age so she ordered some preliminary tests. Everything came back normal. So we were then referred to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. We started testing with our RE and by May of 2009 we were diagnosed with "unexplained infertility". I think this was more frustrating than if they found something wrong because then we could actually have something to "fix"! The unknown was hard. We moved forward with any trick/tip that our doctors threw our way. Obviously nothing worked!
In 2011 we finally started moving forward with actual treatments/procedures to get pregnant. Our first course of action is something called IUI. We did the IUIs with a fertility drug called Clomid. Our first cycle started in July of 2011 and it was a BUST! I never ovulated so the cycle was canceled. I was devastated. We took a break in August because we went on a cruise to Alaska. That trip was much needed after the previous month.
We started back up with what I call IUI #1 in September. I had two great follicles with a higher dose of Clomid this cycle. I had such high hopes for this cycle and thought, "It's going to work the first time around". However, it ended in a negative blood test.
October brought IUI #2 and in this cycle I had one mature follicle with the Clomid and that also ended in negative test.
This brings us to the month of November and IUI #3! I was particularly excited for this cycle because my RE suggested a more aggressive protocol with combination of Clomid and an injectable drug called Gonal-F. On a normal cycle a woman produces 1 egg per month and these drugs produce more eggs which increase your chances of conceiving. So I started with Clomid and the daily injections of Gonal-F. Talk about weird experience to stick yourself with a needle. It really felt like an outer body experience but I knew it would be worth it in the end. ***WARNING*** Picture below is graphic.
Gonal-F injections!
With the super drugs, I was able to produce 3 mature follicles! I was super excited about this and the doctors were optimistic. So we moved onto the actual insemination which takes place after yet another drug referred to as "trigger shot" which makes your mature follicles release the egg.
On my way into the clinic for my insemination! Wish us luck!
I am currently on what they call "The Two Week Wait", which is absolute torture! It's hard not to overanalyze every twinge and pain but hopefully with the holidays around the corner, I will have something to distract me.
This journey has been the hardest things I have ever gone through in my life! It's emotionally, physically and financially draining! I just want a child of my own and to have the family I have always dreamt of. I never thought it would be this hard. So keep us in your prayers and pray that this works for us! At this point in our lives, more aggressive treatments like IVF aren't an option. The success rates are way better with IVF than IUI but at $15,000 a month to "try" is a bit out of our reach.
Happy Thanksgivings to everyone and be thankful for everything you have!
