And they said getting pregnant was easy?
- I'm 27 years old and started trying to conceive when I was 22. My fiancé is now 30 and we've been together since I was 16. We decided on May 6th, 2009 that we would begin trying for a baby. We tried for 9 months before I made the decision to ask my then OB/GYN for some help. She turned me away with the words " You're too fat and if I give you medication it may just make you eat more." Needless to say I never went back to her. We continued trying for another 6 months before I finally reached out to another OB/GYN who I had heard good things about. His first move was to jump right into a laparoscopy and at the time that was the scariest thing in my mind. I tried so hard to express my feelings and concerns to him, but he wouldn't listen. He didn't feel like the doctor meant for this journey I was about to embark on. So I never went back to him.
- After going through so much disappointment medically, I gave up seeking help for a while. I chose to "let it be" and "if its meant to happen then it will". For a few months those mantras worked for me. I was able to go on each day thinking that faith will bring me that baby I so desperately desired. But as the months dragged on and that baby wasn't getting "on board", I threw my hands up in the air and surrendered to finding a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE).
- In July of 2012 I found Kofinas Fertility Clinic at Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. On the very first visit I felt welcomed, listened to, even relaxed. My doctor performed all of the standard testing such as ultrasounds, blood work, an HSN (Hystosonogram) and attempted but failed HSG (Hysterosalpingogram). They also did a Semen Analysis (SA) on my fiance and all turned out normal with him. His sperm count was over 90 million. So now I knew it was me with the "issues".
- On August 23rd during my HSN exam my doctor found a large mass outside of my uterus as well as skin growth. This is known as Endometriosis. It was determined that I would need a laparoscopy, D&C (Dilation & Curettage) and a hysteroscopy. My surgery was scheduled for September 19, 2012. I went in at 6AM and was home in bed by 11:30AM. I had very minimal pain that lasted about a week and then some bloating that stood around for about 2 weeks. I had been scared for nothing. It was a breeze.
- My follow up appointment was October 6th. My doctor sat me down and told me all the things the surgeon had seen while inside my belly. My fallopian tubes were open, but they found a large, almost 7lb cyst on my left fallopian tube. They removed it successfully. They also removed all the endometriosis. I was given a clean bill of health. I left that appointment with a prescription for Clomid 50mg and Provera to kick start my period. For the next 4 cycles I took clomid 50mgs and all were unsuccessful. My doctor decided to start me on Follistim injectables but when I was due to start my January 2013 cycle my medical insurance was cut, leaving me unable to continue seeing my fertility specialist. Continuing out of pocket would have cost $3000 for just the meds alone. And this was funds we didn't have. I was beyond heart broken.
- Bringing my story up to date. Its August of 2014. I've been back in my RE's care for a little over 3 months. I finally got medical coverage with fertility benefits back in May. Last cycle was our first using injectables. I am going on my second cycle using Gonal-F injectables. My doses have been 75iu and 150iu. This cycle I will be doing IUI #3 and IUI #4 after my HCG trigger shot. Last cycle was unsuccessful and I think it was due to timing the ovulation and IUI's. But I am praying that this is our shot. I'm hoping we come out of this pregnant and have a happy, healthy, pooping bundle of joy to show for all our years of tears, pain and hard work. 5 years has been a long time, but I will go as long as I have to, to bring that baby into our lives. This is my journey.