Infertility: Part 2

5 Things Not to Say to a Women Going Through Infertility

1. “Relax, and it will happen.”
2. “Have you tired…? (certain position, standing on your head, turkey baster)”
3. “Just Adopt”- In my case the answer would have most likely been yes but it’s not for everyone and is expensive too.
4. “I know what you are going through…it took us 6 months to get pregnant with our third child.”
5. “You should enjoy your life without children; you can travel, sleep in late ect.”

There would be times that I would be sitting in church looking at babies and thinking that no one knew how I felt. I was sure no one knew the sorrow and grief I was experiencing. Overtime I realized that I was wrong. Not every woman’s trials are the same but many have experienced similar feelings of disappointment, heartache, and guilt.

After six months of Clomid, I found a new OBGYN that specialized in infertility. The first test I had done was a postcoital test (check cervical mucus to see whether sperm are present and moving normally); results were not good. My mucus was killing about 90% of the sperm, so my doctor suggested IUI (sperm is placed directly into the uterus).

1st attempt with IUI: Clomid 100 mg day 3-7. My follicles never matured therefore Dr. concluded that I probably rarely ovulate naturally. IUI was canceled.

2nd attempt with IUI: Femara 5 mg day 3-7; FSH 2 vials (per day) days 7, 9, 11; HCG shot day 13; 2 follicles IUI day 14

3rd attempt with IUI: Femara 5 mg day 3-7, FSH 3 vials (per day) days 7, 9, 11, 12; HCG shot day 13; 3 follicles IUI day 15

4th attempt with IUI: FSH 2 vials (per day) days 3-11, HCG shot day 13; 2 follicles IUI day 14

After four failed IUI cycles and spending around $500 per month (I didn’t have infertility coverage at the time), I was ready for a break. I actually felt relieved when we decided to take a break. Every month I got my period, I experienced a mourning process, felt a great sense of loss and hopelessness.

I also really wanted to get my jaw fixed. I had an overbite that didn't get fixed with braces as a teenager. It really bothered me and I had TMJ issues as a result of it. I knew it would require braces and major surgery to fix my jaw. I obviously could not be pregnant and have jaw surgery. So I was at peace when I decided that I needed to focus on other things. To be continued...