Introduction... I guess?

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

I read the pinned post that new comers to the site are suppose to read before posting. Also have been stalking around and it seems that people prefer an introduction post. So here goes

DH and I have recently hit our 1 year mark ttc... Unfortunately. Never thought it would ever take this long, but I'm sure no one does right? Never been pregnant before, so no kids at All yet. So far I've got labs done by my OB, yesterday I had my pelvic ultrasound, and we are waiting on DH to get home from work stuff in the next couple weeks to get his SA. At that point my OB will finally make an appt to talk with me about the results. It's sort of frustrating because I just want to know what's wrong right now you know? Also I'm waiting on my next CD 1 to schedule my HSG. Kind of nervous about that because I've heard people making it sound really bad, but I'm sure it won't be as bad as I'm expecting. Either way, I am nervous but excited for answers!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post

gsancho · June 2014

Welcome!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thank you! @gsancho‌

Pintobean39 · June 2014

Welcome!

I didn't find the HSG bad at all. Hopefully you will just breeze through it. Good luck!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@iPutKetchupOnKetchup‌ thank you for your response! DH is Active duty so unfortunately we are stuck here at our local naval hospital. I don't really like the doctors here. They seem to be rushing me and not as serious about this as I am. Now we are throwing deployments into the mix of TTC which is making this even worse and harder. I would never wish difficultly TTC on my worst enemies. It's just not fair for any woman. My OB seems like she may be a know it all type but I haven't been with her long enough to know. I guess we will see. I'm actually excited for my next appt with the OB because I'm desperate for answers. I've had this deep down feeling that there's something not right with me

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

The HSG is really that short? Thank goodness. That makes me feel a lot better. Since my OB will be the one pushing the dye I think she said that she might be able to give me the results immediately? Anyone know if that's possible? I might be hearing stuff. @DaydreamSam‌ @Pintobean39‌

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

While I have you guys, I can't figure out for the life of me how to edit my profile... Like profile picture and what not. Is it only possible when you've been a member for a while? I'm on the app if that helps

sweetsurrender9 · June 2014

@mjcbwlbaby -- welcome to the board! You're moving in the right direction with all of the testing. I definitely recommend Advil before the HSG. When they do the dye injection, they take pictures under fluoroscope, so your doc will be able to watch the dye move through. Your doc will probably show you the images right after, but the official read from the radiologist may take a few days.

Good luck!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Okay maybe I can get her to tell me what she thinks. All I know is so far I've had a semi regular period ever since I got one when I was 14. Fertility friend said I'm irregular but I always get a period every month about 31-34 days apart. I use to think I would have no probably TTC because I had a decently regular period but I soon learned that was wrong. @sweetsurrender9‌

sweetsurrender9 · June 2014

@mjcbwlbaby, are you temping and using OPKs? I'm assuming so since you mentioned Fertility Friend. It may be picking up a difference in luteal phase and calling that irregularity. My cycles are generally the same length, but my luteal phases are occasionally a day short. FF considers me "irregular" too.

The most frustrating part is figuring out what's wrong. Keep advocating for yourself and keep asking questions!

chicory · June 2014

Welcome! Thanks for reading the guidelines and for being articulate

You're getting some good testing done and I hope you have answers soon, which lead you to your BFP and a short stay here!

rella22 · June 2014

Welcome and good luck with all your testing! The HSG isn't AWFUL but it's nothing fun either! But super fast and when it's done it's done!!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@sweetsurrender9‌ I am temping and doing OPKs. Both are so confusing though. My bbt is always really low. Below 97 before "ovulation" (I say it like that because I'm not even sure if I O) and after O I am always below 97.5 but higher than 97.0. FF put me Oing at CD 24 of a 34 day cycle based on my temp spike... So if that's true then my LP would be only 10 days unless this one cycle was going to be longer. OPKs are always inconclusive. Last cycle I was using the green dip strip wandfos and I never got a postive with those. I know I didn't miss my surge because I was testing 3 sometimes 4 times a day with different types of urine, however I may have been testing at the wrong CD since I apparently O super late in my cycle. Then this cycle I was using the CB advanced digis and the first time or two I took one they were negative (blank circle). Then the next 8 times they were all flashing smileys. I was testing with FMU but then I started getting excited and testing like twice a day which I know you're not suppose to do but I kept thinking what if I miss my surge? Lol. But I never got a solid "peak smiley" with those. However, I bought 3 $store cassette types and all 3 were positive over the span of 2. days. Sorry this was a lot to read but I feel like I have so much to say. I'm probably going to talk my OBs ear off at my next appt.

Thank you @chicory‌ and @rella22‌!!

Pintobean39 · June 2014

mjcbwlbaby said:

The HSG is really that short? Thank goodness. That makes me feel a lot better. Since my OB will be the one pushing the dye I think she said that she might be able to give me the results immediately? Anyone know if that's possible? I might be hearing stuff. @DaydreamSam‌ @Pintobean39‌

I went to an outpatient facility to have mine and they told me right there the results. There was a Dr that did the test she told me it looked good and then after she left the tech went over the test with me and showed me what it looked like the dye going in one tube and out the other side.

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@iPutKetchupOnKetchup‌ we are stationed in WA. Fortunately for us we are a few hours out from Madigan which is one of the military hospitals that offers cheaper If treatment. Hopefully we don't have to go there... If we do I'll be going alone because DH is gone. I have a feeling it's not anything having to do with him though. I feel like that would totally deflate his confidence. I can handle things being wrong with me. And not gonna lie, my mom told me I should freeze DHs sperm and put it in my freezer at home. At the time I thought she was crazy. Is that something the dr can do or do I have to do it myself? I don't know the correct temps lol.

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thanks! @Pintobean39‌ hopefully my dr will tell me mine! And thanks you @Buttmonkey34‌!

TTCBabyJ · June 2014

Welcome! Thanks for the intro! Like other PP the HSG is not horrible but Advil is strongly advised. It kind of felt like a really strong AF cramp but I just tried really hard to breathe through it. But once it's over there was no lingering pain. Good luck with testing!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thank you @TTCBabyJ‌ !! I have decently bad cramps anyways so hopefully this won't be too bad!

KT416 · June 2014

Welcome to the board but I'm sorry you have to be here. Waiting is definitely the worst part-- hopefully you won't have to wait too long for answers!

The HSG is about 15 minutes and should be able to have a good idea on the spot if your tubes are blocked. Definitely take some advil beforehand because you feel crampy when they put the die in to your body.

GL and Welcome!

lebradford · June 2014

Welcome. :-)

rubysi · June 2014

Welcome.

StacyLH24 · June 2014

Welcome. As others have stated, take Advil or ibuprophen before your HSG. Good luck!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@iPutKetchupOnKetchup‌ lmao I was thinking about trying to freeze his sperm at home... Thawing it on the counter lol. I wonder if my OB will even consider freezing his sperm. That would be awesome. He's on a detachment for 2 weeks then he leaves for 6 months or so for his actual deployment soon after he gets back next month

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thank you! @lebradford‌ @rubysi‌ @StacyLH24‌

JericaLH · June 2014

Welcome! The ladies on here are extremely helpful and supportive. I'm a bit of a newbie myself and the advice I've gotten so far has been GREAT. It makes you feel a little less alone through this whole process. I hope your stay here is short and sweet! Good luck and baby dust!

BunnyBerry · June 2014

Welcome to the group! Sorry you have had trouble TTC, though.

Sperm freezing includes processing, wash, centrifuging in the lab and a controlled environment. Putting it in the freezer at home would result in...a nasty little piece of ice, LOL.

I second previous posters' recommendations to take some pain reliever before the HSG! I would say it's not unbearable because it doesn't last too long. Though I think if I had prepared myself mentally for the idea that it might take a few tries (ouch...due to a previously undiscovered retroverted uterus), then I would have been a little tougher.

As far as the OPKs, having issues with getting a good positive before O and not at other times can be a clue of some O issues. For me, I often do not get an actual positive, just a darker line than other days, and it turns out my ovaries are also polycystic (though I get fairly regular periods with long enough, but widely differing LPs- anywhere from 11 to 16 days - my RE hasn't diagnosed PCOS). If your OB does ultrasound and bloodwork on the right cycle days, he/she should be able to give you some idea about your ovulation.

My RE was the one who performed the HSG and he told me all the results as it was going on. He then reiterated everything at our consult. Good luck!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thank you! @AlaskaDee23‌ and @JericaLH‌. I feel very welcomed here!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thank you! @BunnyBerry‌! I'm stressed out to the max right about now. Anxious to see what my OB has to say. I feel like she may not be very experienced but I don't think this naval hospital has an REs. I would prefer to be seen by an RE but my OB would probably have to give me a referral out to one

DharmaChick · June 2014

Welcome! I am sorry that you find yourself here, but this is an excellent group of supportive women. I hope that your stay is short and sweet.

It sounds like you are on the right track. It can be a bit overwhelming, even after you receive your results, but once you have a game plan you will at least know what you're dealing with and what the next steps are.

Try not to stress about the HSG. That experience varies for everyone, and for most women it is not bad at all. I am one of those who, unfortunately, found it to be painful and bled for a long time afterward. However, I honestly say that the pain lasted a very brief amount of time, and the cramping afterward was very manageable. It is worth the information that you and your doctor will get from it.

BunnyBerry · June 2014

Sorry you're feeling so much stress right now. As far as an OB vs. RE, it makes sense to work with an RE if possible, since they're experienced with all the nuances of infertility. But I know there are many ladies on this board who have started their testing workup with their OB/GYN and then were able to take that info to an RE after they felt they needed that referral.

Depending on the treatment(s) recommended for you, you will probably want to be an advocate for yourself with the OB to make sure you're getting proper monitoring, for example. The ladies here will be a great resource to bounce off how things are going and get feedback on whether it sounds like you are being taken care of properly.

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@DharmaChick‌ thank you! Ouch, any idea why you were bleeding? I didn't know that could happen and hopefully it doesn't for me!

@BunnyBerry‌ what do you mean by advocate? I feel like my dr is a know it all who really doesn't know it all and that she may try and put me on meds not knowing enough about me. She hasn't barely asked me anything about myself or my cycles, or luteal or menstrual phase. So I hope she doesn't try to lump me in the sale category as a "normal" woman

BunnyBerry · June 2014

By advocate, I meant learning about things yourself, making sure you get all tests you need, and making sure that you are fully monitored (ultrasounds/bloodwork) to make sure there are no harmful effects if you take fertility meds. For some reason, it seems like some OB/GYNs feel like they can just give a half-assed attempt to solve your problem in case it's a simple fix or just needs more time, but some will be more responsible!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

@iPutKetchupOnKetchup‌ I think that I'm going to let the naval hospital run all the tests and if there's something wrong enough to warrant me wanting to get a second opinion I think I'm going to switch to standard

@BunnyBerry‌ I think I will do that. But I don't know exactly what to be on close watch for

Sewfie · June 2014

I'm sorry that you're here, but welcome. Everyone is giving great advice so far, but I'll add what I can.
My hsg wasn't too bad. The results aren't always conclusive though! It may look like you have a blocked tube when you actually spasmed, that happened to me.

I also almost never turn OPKs positive, but my temps and b/w have shown that I do ovulate. You'll need to make sure that you get your b/w and any monitoring done on the right day too! Like the "CD 21" b/w needs to be done on 7dpo. That may wind up being on CD 21, but maybe not. It sounds like you have a pretty starting knowledge, so that's awesome!

mjcbwlbaby · June 2014

Thanks! @Sewfie‌ Hopefully my Ob knows what she is doing because I don't know much about these tests and timing!

aves0708 · June 2014

Welcome! I'm sorry you have to be here but I think you'll find, or have already found, this board to be a wealth of information. Sounds like you are on the right track with all of your testing. Good luck with your HSG! Mine was not bad at all, but I definitely recommend ibuprofen about an hour before hand.

DharmaChick · June 2014

mjcbwlbaby said:

@DharmaChick‌ thank you! Ouch, any idea why you were bleeding? I didn't know that could happen and hopefully it doesn't for me!

Bleeding or spotting is not unusual after HSG, but it shouldn't really be heavy. Don't worry if it happens! One thing that I've learned during this process is not to be shy about asking questions at the doctors office. If you have any concerns, definitely speak up.

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Introduction... I guess?

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Want a personalized experience?

Introduction... I guess?

Re: Introduction... I guess?

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!