 |
| Dana, Baby Hudson & Harper |
My husband and I began trying for a baby in 2009, the year we got married. I was turning 30 and we felt it was time to start our family. But, it just wasn't happening naturally. During this time, I also began suffering terribly painful menstrual cramps. After six months of failed pregnancy attempts and increasingly excruciating cycles, I decided to see a fertility specialist. The tests returned normal resulting in unexplained infertility. We tried Clomid-based IUI's…six times, still no luck. The doctor suggested I have laparoscopic surgery where we learned I had stage II endometriosis. In 2010 we decided to move on to IVF. The high cost of an IVF cycle led us to decide on the split donor program where we would donate half of my eggs to another infertile couple who, in return, pay half of the expense. I was preparing mentally, taking my medications, thinking about the journey ahead. I was excited. That excitement quickly deflated when the doctor noticed a large cyst on my ovaries during a routine sonogram. I was told to quit all medications and that the cycle would be postponed to the next month once the cyst had ceased.
I was devastated. I felt we were going to lose the opportunity to participate in the donor program because of this. The following month, the cyst was still there…another delay. After having an AMH test, we discovered that my ovarian reserve was very low and that donating half my eggs would not be a good idea. I became angry and confused. Why wasn’t this considered and tested two years ago?
As my determination grew, I became more proactive in the process. I did a lot of reading and research, started taking various supplements and began receiving acupuncture. On the second fresh IVF cycle, I got pregnant with my daughter. The news brought a combination of unsurpassed joy, relief and a bit of shock since all previous outcomes were not positive. Once the reality settled in, I was overcome with happiness. It was the best day of my life.
The pregnancy was great. I only felt sick for a couple of weeks, after which I was able to truly enjoy the experience. Our daughter was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I couldn't wait to try again and give her a sibling.
I figured that maybe because I got pregnant before that number two would be easier. WRONG! After another failed IUI attempt, we decided to move onto IVF. This is when I started going to Carolyn Huffman for acupuncture - January 2014.
I mentally and physically prepared myself for this next IVF cycle by completely changing my diet, giving up coffee and other things that could negatively affect my body. I felt prepared and positive. But unfortunately, it was a disappointing cycle. With only 2 embryos, the nurse tried talking me into converting to an IUI, but I didn't listen. I wanted to give it a shot and see what happened. The quality of the two looked pretty good and I thought for sure that this was going to work. But it was negative and I had to go through all of this again.
The third IVF cycle was a total bust. Four eggs were retrieved and three of them fertilized abnormally. Once again, I was disappointed and depressed. I began to consider using donor eggs if all else failed. I was determined to have another baby. I decided to give it one more shot using my eggs and move on if it didn't work.
I gave myself three months to prepare my body for this final cycle. During my research, I discovered that the use of Human Growth Hormone with IVF improved egg quality. I also read that an Endometrial Scratch test could help with implantation. So I made an appointment with my doctor for a consultation and I had a list of things that I wanted to try with this cycle. I told him this was my last try using my eggs and I planned to do whatever it costs/takes to make this work. We decided on a new protocol that I hadn't tried before and added Human Growth Hormone. We also included ICSI and an Endometrial Scratch. He suggested that we grow the embryos to day five instead of doing a day three transfer. If they were still slow-growing by day five, he wanted to freeze them and do a fresh embryo transfer two months later. Studies conclude that success rates are higher with frozen cycles than fresh because the drugs are absent from the body and the ovaries are not stimulated. I was really nervous about this approach, but decided to trust him and the science.
The cycle was going great and I had a really good feeling. Five eggs were retrieved and four fertilized. On day three, the nurse called and said that one had stopped growing but the other three were doing great – two of the eggs were 8-cell AA! I have never had an 8-cell embryo, I was so happy to hear this.
I was still scheduled for the transfer just in case. I went in for acupuncture at 5:30 a.m. the nurse was going to call me at 6 a.m. to tell me if there was going to be a transfer. The nurse informed me that they were both growing a bit slow and that the doctor wants to continue to day six and freeze. Once again, I was deflated and wished that they had just done the transfer anyway. Now I would have to wait two more months, mentally and physically preparing myself all over again. It was an exhausting process and I was ready for it to be over. I thought that a frozen cycle would be a piece of cake, but it wasn’t. Additionally, I had to worry about my two embryos surviving the thaw. This was the most stressful cycle I'd ever done. I was so frustrated with my doctor for making me go through this, but I had to trust his approach.
I’m glad I did. I got pregnant with twins on this cycle and was completely shocked. All my hard work had paid off and I could finally end this exhausting infertility journey forever. At nine weeks, we learned that one of them didn’t make it and that I would be carrying a singleton to term. On November 23, 2015 we welcomed a healthy baby boy to the world. We were elated, it was a tough journey, but well worth it.
My advice to anyone that is going through this is to do your own research so you can understand the whole process before hand. I feel like the first year of multiple IUI's was a waste of time. I wish I had moved to IVF sooner. I learned so much in the last six years. I didn't realize how stressful this could be. Infertility was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. Not only does it take a toll on the mind, but the body as well. I truly feel like Carloyn’s treatments and care were a great help in alleviating these constant struggles in both mind and body.
The last six years have been a whirlwind to say the least. But, with the help and support of my husband, family and friends, and the determination I found within myself, we are now complete. I am overwhelmed with joy every time I look at our two lovely children. The path may have been rocky, but the view ahead is absolutely beautiful. 