Our Infertility to Get Samuel

We found out that we were going to have problems having a baby in 2008, four months into our marriage. Abby started having a lot of pain and break though bleeding. We went to our family practice doctor and he did a few tests and sent us to do an ultrasound at the hospital. Things looked okay other than it looked like I may have Endometriosis. Our family practice doctor told us to go to an Ob/gyn. We found one and went and talked to him. He told us that if I had Endometriosis we should just go head and start having babies because Endometriosis could cause infertility. He told us if we were his kids that he would have us just stop all birth control and get busy. Wesley and I went  home and prayed about it all. We felt like we should go and see a different doctor. We found a Gynecologist and she was really helpful. We started with the depo shot to see if it would help with the pain. We met with the doctor again to talk about doing surgery for the Endometriosis. We decided to not do surgery yet because the depo shot was helping with the pain. We did the depo shot for six months, I had spotting the whole time.  I stopped the depo shot and just started on birth control until we were ready to have a baby.

In 2010 on Feb I started a new job and couldn't see my GYN any more. We decided to find an OB/GYN at this point and we were ready to start trying. We met with the new doctor for a yearly, and then family planning in April . We talked about stopping our birth control with him and what else to look for and do. We decided to stop our birth control the end of June of 2010. Periods would come and go the four months. Then in Oct. I was weeks late but pregnancy tests were negative, this went on for three months with blood work and pregnancy test were negative. End of Dec. I started provera  to start my cycle again. I had to use provera for two month to get back to normal.  By March I started 50 mg clomid, and testing ovulation from day 10 to day 20.

It was now May 2011 and I was not pregnant, the doctor ordered a semen analysis for Wesley. Everything was okay but he had 10% abnormal shaped sperm but still normal and it would not cause problems getting pregnant. The doctor told us to keep on trying with clomid for a few more months and if not pregnant he would like to order the HSG test. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. It often is done for women who are having a hard time becoming pregnant (infertile). We decided to so HSG in Sept. and went in and  everything looked good. We did notice that one tube was slower than the other but the X-ray tech did not think that it was a problem so he didn't note anything about it.  After everything was normal the doctor told us to keep on trying clomid until we saw him again in April for my yearly.

We went in for my yearly, and everything looked good; but we talked about how i had now done 11 cycles of clomid and was start to have side effects from the clomid. The doctor gave us a few more options to think about before doing any more clomid. He told us to think about a laparoscopy, look for endometriosis, and to do IUI (intrauterine insemination).  If after that , we still unsuccessful, he would send us to a reproductive endocrinologist. We knew the next thing to do was to do surgery.

In June 2012 Wesley and I both got new jobs in Provo UT, and moved to Payson to live at Wesley parents so we could save for surgery and infertility treatments. I got a job working at an OB/GYN office. I started talking with the nurses there and they were telling that a doctor in the office could do a great job with the laparoscopy.

I met up with the doctor in my office and we did the surgery in Aug 2012. It went well, but they found  endometriosis on my bladder and on my cervix and tubes. He also he fixed a gap between my uterus and rectum to prevent future problems, especially during pregnancy. The doctor did another HSG test after surgery and said one side was slower than the other. He said the left tube is slower than the right and he was not sure if it was because of surgery or because of the endometriosis.  The surgery went well,  recovery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. After surgery my body again wouldn't start back up by it self. After being two weeks late I did blood work and it was negative.    I started on provera and then clomid to start ovulating again. I started with 50mg of clomid for one month and then 100 mg for the second month and then 150mg third month. After the third round we decided to do our first IUI.

IUI #1

In November  2012 we decided to try our first IUI (Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that involves placing the sperm direct into the woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization).  We decided to try it because at work the doctors were just starting to do IUI's in the office. The doctors said they would do the IUI for no charge if I got all the meds I needed. Wesley and I decided it was definitely worth a try.

I started all the meds. Clomid 150mg from day 4 to day 8. Day 10, 150 units of FSH shots (repronex). Day 13 ultrasound in the office. This ultrasound was to see how big the follicles on the ovaries were. My right ovary had small follicles, the largest approximately 12mm, left ovary had 2 follicles greater than 20mm and a third follicle at 16mm.  With this many follicles bigger than 14mm, we had the risk of having triplets. The doctor asked us are you sure you want to go ahead with the IUI. Wesley and I said lets go for it. Day 14 was the IUI. Wesley showed up to my work and we got his sample, then it takes an hour for the semen cleaning. Then it is time for the IUI, it went good, there was a little pain but nothing I couldn't handle.  I got my last shot 10,000 units HCG (novarel) then went home after wards and stayed in bed for the next 36 hours. The doctors didn't tell me to rest for 36 hours but we just thought it would help us out. I had a little bit of cramping for the next few days. Then we had to wait two weeks to do blood work to see if we were pregnant. I did the blood work two weeks later and it was negative. My Hcg level was less than 2. Our next step was to try again, so after a month that's what we did.

IUI #2

Here we go again 2nd around of IUI through my office.

I started all the meds in January, same as last time.. When i needed to do the shot this time it fell on a Saturday, so Wesley got to give me my shot. Day 13 ultrasound in the office. This time my right ovary had small follicles that weren't big enough to measure, my left ovary had 2 follicles greater than 20mm and a third follicle at 15mm.  Again we had the risk of multiples. We were still okay going forward with it. After the ultrasound I was given my last shot, 10,000 units HCG (novarel). Day 14 IUI. Wesley showed up to my work and we got his sample and it takes a hour for the semen cleaning. But there was a problem with the sample. They did not see any sperm swimming. The doctors asked Wesley and to get one more sample. Keep in mind he had to give two samples an hour apart from the first one. The second sample was good just a lower count but good to go ahead and try the IUI. Then it was time for the IUI, went pretty good just a little bit of pain this time. Went home after wards and rested for the rest of that day and then took it easy for the weekend. I had cramping again but it wasn't too bad. We had to wait two weeks to do blood work to see if we were pregnant. I did the blood work two weeks later and it was negative again. My Hcg level was less than 2.

As for our next step, we were unsure. We talked to the doctors in the office and they said we could try again in the office but they suggested we see a fertility doctor. 

Utah Fertility Center

After the second failed IUI in my doctors office we decided to consult with a fertility doctor. We found one and set up an appointment. Before we had our appointment they held a seminar that would give us half off our consult if we attended. At the seminar we didn't really learn any new information. I really did like the part when some one from family therapy came and talked to us. She told us some helpful stuff and she really pin pointed how were feeling about it all. We felt overwhelmed, and lost. She gave us a few ideas of how to deal with it all. First one was I needed to learn how to relax, and find time for myself. I needed to slow down and find joy again. She told us how to deal with the feeling of being lost. I had not really thought about all that before. I really do need to find joy again.  It was hard when we got asked lots of questions, so we needed to watch what we said to others. Wesley and I needed to talk with each other more and understand where each other were at and how we were feeling.  The seminar went good.

Our first appointment was March 2013. He told what he thought was going on and said that he has hope for us. He told us it could be my tubes that aren't working or my eggs could be bad. He also told us that Wesley's count is great and with the second IUI there must have been something odd done with the wash.  He told us that he would like to try three to four IUI's  with him. Then he told me to call on day one of my next cycle, and he said that he sent the meds order in and they would be calling me in a day to make sure they have all my info.

My meds

 IUI #3

Day 1 I called the doctors office to set up for an ultrasound. I went in on day three for the ultrasound and everything looked good, no cysts so we were good to start the meds. Day 3 started the Femara, two pills until day 7. Day 8 I started Bravelle shots every morning and giving them to myself in the stomach until day 10 and then go back to the doctors for another ultrasound to see how big the follicles were. Day 10 ultrasound went okay, they told me that right ovary had follicles but they were too small to count. On the left ovary I had two, one at 12 and one at 8. They told me that I needed to order more Bravelle so I could do two more days of shots. Day 11 and day 12 I did shots in the morning. Then day 13 went a back in to do second ultrasound to see if we were ready to do the IUI. They told us that the left side is now ready and to do the IUI on day 16.  On day 14 at 2:00am HCG shot. Day 16 at 2:00pm we did our 3rd IUI.  Day 17  I started Progesterone every night until the office told me to stop. I went home afterwards and just rested and went back to work the next day. They told me to not work out  but I could go on walks if i wanted, and to stop caffeine, if I had caffeine only one cup a day.  I did the blood work two weeks later and it was negative again. My HCG level was less than 2. 

After the third IUI I didn't realize that we had done the IUI always on the left side and so we were going to go head and try our fourth IUI.

IUI #4

Day 1 I called the doctors office to set up for a ultrasound. I went in on day three for the ultrasound and everything looked good, no cysts so we were good to start the meds. Day 3 I started the Femara two pills until day 7. Day 8 I started Bravelle shots every morning, giving them to myself in the stomach until day 10, then back to the doctors for another ultrasound to see how big the follicles were For the first shot this time I needed to double the meds to see if we could get follicles big enough earlier. Day 10 ultrasound went well, the follicles were on the right side, and they were big enough to do the iui on day 14. Day 12 at 9:15pm HCG shot. On day 12 I woke up with my left arm just aching so the next day I set up a chiropractor to see if he could help with my arm, and my mother in law said it would be good to go and be adjusted before doing the IUI the next morning. The doctor did a great job and it helped the pain go away and for me to relax. I was willing to try anything to help. Day 14 at 9:15am we did our 4th IUI. Day 15 I started Progesterone every night until the office told me to stop. I went home afterwards and just rested and went back to work the next day. They told me to not work out but I could go on walks if i wanted, and again to stop caffeine. I did the blood work two weeks later and it was POSITIVE . My HCG level was 6 but the doctors office told me congrats it is positive but we need you to do follow up blood work in 48 hours. The nurse finished the phone call with this pregnancy is most likely not viable. :( Wesley and I were excited that we got a positive even though may not of work to be a good pregnancy.  I did the blood work 48 hours later and my Hcg level was 4 so that meant it was now negative and that I would just pass everything on my own. The fertility center said that it could have been from the HCG shot and that was why my levels were high. I thought to get a second opinion from the doctors I work with. They told me that this is a really good sign that something worked and we should try again. The doctors called it a Chemical Pregnancy, which happens when a fertilized egg does not attach itself to the uterine wall.

Wesley and I both believe that this was an answer to our prays. We keep on asking for a way to know that we are on the right path and that my body would be able to carry a baby. It is a hard, but I just have to keep in believing that something will happen when the time is right. I do hate that saying, but I have to have the faith and I know that I will be a mother someday. We decided to wait a month so I can relax and not worry about things for a month. It is hard to have faith but I know I can do it. We will just keep on praying for a  miracle.