My battle with infertility lasted eight years. As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to be a mother. I want to share my story with others who are trying to realize their dream of motherhood in the hopes that I may educate and inspire. Though my journey has been rocky and stressful it was a journey that I would gladly take again. My heart goes out to every man and woman who wants to have a family and has difficulty conceiving. Infertility is one of the most stressful things that I have ever experienced. Seems like the harder you try the further your goal drifts away. Infertility is a disease that causes an incredible amount of emotional pain. You begin to question everything: religion, faith, finances, your marriage and your sanity. Each menstrual cycle becomes a miniature funeral for the death of another fertile month. Each day of your cycle becomes an emotional rollercoaster.
I hope my story helps people know that even after you have given up hope your dream of being a mother or a father can come true. Whether you get pregnant easily, have to have fertility treatments or choose to adopt a child, being a mother is the best feeling in the world. Don’t give up on your dreams!
My story is for informational purposes only
and is not intended as medical advice.
Each detail is based on my opinion and personal knowledge.
In 1990, I had an exploratory laparoscopy performed. They diagnosed me with mild endometriosis. In 1995, I had another laparoscopy performed due to pelvic pain. In 1996, I started charting my temperature, monitoring cervical changes and taking home ovulation tests. After about six months we decided to try artificial insemination. We tried 3 cycles of artificial insemination with natural ovulation. Then we tried 3 cycles with Clomid.
After 6 months we decided to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) and have a complete fertility work-up done. Even though my tubes had been tested during my last laparoscopy the RE decided to do a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to test my tubes. They were both open. My husband had his sperm tested and they found a low count with low motility.
Our RE recommended that we proceed with IVF/ICSI because of my unexplained infertility and my husband’s sperm count. Because of the cost involved with IVF we decided to try artificial insemination with injectable drugs to help me produce multiple eggs.
I had my third laparoscopy done in October of 1997. We tried two more artificial inseminations with injectable drugs.
In April, 1998 we decided to take the big plunge into IVF/ICSI.
To read about our first IVF Cycle, please visit my IVF #1 Journal.