Monday, February 28, 2011

Decisions, decisions

On Friday, I drove myself to Lexington for the sonohysterogram. Wednesdays appointment had been moved because for some reason, Aunt Flo decided she wasn't ready to leave. The appointment was quick, much faster than I anticipated. They began with an internal ultrasound just to do a quick peak. Then the nurse practitioner came in. They basically insert a catheter into your uterus and blow up a balloon filled with water. (Which I would like to add, is very painful!) Then they release the balloon and the water. The procedure is done to ensure there are not any abnormalities in the uterus. After about 30 seconds they concluded that everything looks good, no abnormalities.

Saturday, I spent the day shopping for a dress for a black tie wedding. I have never been to a black tie affair, so I made the bride come with me to look. After 6 long hours of shopping and not having any luck, my phone rings as I'm about to leave. The NaProTechnology doctor was phoning to discuss the email I had sent. I had about an hour drive, so I asked that he phone back in 10 mins. We spoke for about 30 mins, going through my medical history and all the issues we've had conceiving. Amazingly, he sounds pretty optimistic that he can help. However, this poses a new problem. We are to start our new IVF cycle in about three weeks, but the NaPro doctor won't be able to see us for about 3 weeks.

During our conversation, he had the same feelings I do: that there's probably something wrong with my cycle. We both agreed that there must be something going on with me that the IVF doctors are missing. He's concerned that I could possibly have endometriosis. (Not the first time I've heard that.) This can cause numerous issues when trying to conceive. He also thinks that these issues with my system are the reason we weren't able to conceive naturally and possibly the reason for the miscarriage. All in all, the conversation went really well. He was in no way trying to pressure me to into seeing him, he seems honest and genuine.

Hubby and I spoke last night and we're pretty sure that we'll be seeing the NaPro doctor before we attempt another round of IVF. It seems silly to start another round while feeling like something else is going on. I don't want to put off the chances of getting pregnant, but I don't want to jeopardize using another embryo is there's underlying concerns. Here's to hoping we are making the right decision.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

NaProTECHNOLOGY

Tomorrow is my appointment for sonahystogram. Apparently it is necessary for the insurance to see the results before they will approve a second round of IVF. I still kind of have my period, so I phoned their office to reschedule just in case. Thankfully they are letting me keep the appointment, but reserved a spot for Friday "just in case".


My family, both immediate and extend, has been wonderful. It never seizes to amaze me how much thought, concern and prayers are being said for us every day. I recently got a message from a family member that I found very interesting. They sent me information for a specialist months ago. I'm sad to say, I never looked into it. Assuming we made the best decision to attempt IVF, I disregarded the information. Until now. They so kindly sent me a follow up message the other day stating I should really look into the specialist. So I did.


I've been vegan for almost a year, and have been attempting a more natural approach to life in general. Why I hadn't looked into a more natural approach to fertility, is beyond me. So today, I sat down and researched NaProTechnology. A treatment that is faith based, in doing so, attempts to look at the underlying causes of infertility and a number of other issues. They began this approach more than 20 years ago and have had great success. (The family member who recommended it has not successfully had children of their own. They also informed me that the 6 other couples that they knew of who used it, only one has not had success yet.)


I must say that I am amazed once again. NaProTechnology looks at several concerns. Most being deficiencies in both partners. Instead of me trying to repeat what they so eloquently said, I have copied it below. (Yes, I cheated.)


Infertility is a symptom of underlying disease.  The diseases that cause infertility have a “two-pronged” effect.  They not only hinder the functioning of fertility, but they also cause both short and long-term health problems.  The persistent unwillingness to address infertility problems from this point of view or perspective is one of the major flaws in the current approach to the treatment of infertility.


Fertility problems also carry with them significant emotional sequelae.  This is fairly well recognized by those who work in this field and psychosocial distress  can contribute significantly to the cause of some forms of infertility.


Until 1978, most of the effort in medicine in evaluating and treating women with infertility was placed in trying to identify and treat the underlying causes.  In 1978, in vitro fertilization produced a paradigm shift.  It led to a “skipping over” the causes and this continues up to the present time to be the foundational management approach.  In essence, this is a symptomatic or Band-Aid approach to treatment, not one that gets to the root causes.  When the artificial reproductive technologies began to take hold, now over 25 years ago, diagnostic laparoscopy was in its infancy.  Hormone assessment, while available, was not readily accessible.  Ultrasound technology was still mired in sector scanning and real-time ultrasonography was not yet available.  Selective hysterosalpingography had not yet been developed and the fallopian tubes could not be catheterized.  The Creighton Model FertilityCare™ System began its first Allied Health Education Program for FertilityCare™ Practitioners (FCP) in 1978.  This means of objectively monitoring the biomarkers of the menstrual and fertility cycle was only in its beginning stages.  With the availability of the CrMS, observations of mucus patterns during the course of the menstrual and fertility cycle could be observed for the very first time.  In fact, information obtained by women charting their cycles in this fashion is unique and can only be obtained in this fashion. 


http://www.naprotechnology.com/index.html

I strongly urge anyone else going through any type of infertility treatments, concerns or are experiencing miscarriages, to take a look at their site and contact a physician near you who practices this approach. Anyone who has had success with this method, please share if you are comfortable discussing it. The more we talk about infertility, the more we can learn.

Monday, February 14, 2011

A Much Needed Getaway

Last Saturday afternoon, we packed up the car and headed for the Trapp Family Lodge. As we crossed into Vermont on Rt 89, we became blinded by a pretty intense snow storm that left the highway completely covered. We finally arrived an hour later than expected but cozied up by the fire and had a nice huge glass of wine. After all of the losses our family has endured, we needed a nice long break.

It was a relief to not be pregnant actually. Between all the outdoor activities we did, the wine, the shopping, saunas and hot tubs, I would have missed out on most of it. I finally felt like myself again. My mood has improved drastically and I'm enjoying myself again.

On Thursday morning, I woke up to some spotting. I called my doctor's office, knowing that I would soon be getting my second period (the start of round two). To my disappointment, the nurse I spoke with informed me of a change in plans. Apparently the doctor was not too clear in describing the next IVF round. We were under the impression that on my second period, I would have an exam and then begin all the meds. However, now I am being told that the exam would be first, then results would be sent to the insurance for acceptance of the second round. Meaning the meds won't begin until my third period. At this point, I am so thoroughly annoyed, my attitude changes to the poor nurse, and I insist she phones the doctor to be sure.

I receive a call back about an hour later stating my chart was correct, waiting for period number three. This was our last day in Vermont, and after we headed over to Loon Mtn to meet up with some friends. I continued to get pretty drunk the following few days. Time with friends has helped. I am still beyond annoyed with the length of time this is all taking. Never mind the fact that everyone around me is now having their babies. Don't get my wrong, I'm so happy for all my friends and family that are having children. But there's still this little piece of me that feels like it's missing. That little part that is still tugging away at my insides. And the fact that this continues to take longer and longer is the most draining thing I have every experienced.