We have been TTC since 2008 when we were newlywed and 30 years young.
Initially I thought becoming a mom would be a snap with my 27 day regular cycles and text book temperature charts. After the first year of trying au natural, we started investigating. All the standard diagnostics (hormone blood work, HSG, u/s, and SA's) came back normal. Referred to an OBGYN and Urologist -we were told we had "unexplained infertility" and would probably get pregnant on our own. Because of our age and there being nothing obviously wrong, we spent 7 months waiting for the first RE appointment at the fertility clinic. While waiting, we tried all the low tech stuff, but still no luck.
Dec 2009 began Clomid + timed intercourse (aka 7 day sex marathon). Nothing after 3 rounds.
April, 2010 I had diagnostic surgery (laparoscopy, hydrotubation, hysteroscopy and D&C). This revealed and removed a small uterine polyp, and a mild stage 1 endometriosis adhesion on my right ovary. This was not thought to be a big problem. Tried for 3 more natural cycles.
June 2010 IUI #1 with letrozole was a disaster. My FSH and estrogen levels were sky high and caused an uber-early ovulation of my one lonely follicle. The RE broke the news that my ovarian reserve was low during the IUI procedure, and that we'd try using injectable meds with IUI to see if my ovaries would even respond to stimulation. I was just 32 and devastated.
July 2010 IUI #2 with injectable stims, 150 Gonal F gave me 3 mature follicles to meet the fantastic sperm sample but nothing took.
Aug 2010 IUI #3 same injectable protocol, 4 equally mature follicles, great sperm, warned of high risk of multiples. That's strike 3 for IUI, took a much needed one month break, then on to IVF.
Oct 2010 Sonohysterogram shows irregular lining, surprise office D&C while having an endometrial biopsy YOUCH! -results all normal, thought to be OK to continue with IVF cycle.
Oct/Nov 2010 IVF attempt #1 Microflare Protocol (BCP, microdose Suprefact, Dexamthasone, 300 Gonal-F 75 Luveris) only 4 follicles of varying sizes and irregular lining remains! After $4000 invested in meds, the IVF was canceled just prior to retrieval and converted to another IUI. Boo.
4 months on DHEA (male hormone) to try to boost ovarian response to the stimulation. Grew only a minimal beard & mustache.
Feb 2011 Laminaria seaweed stretch of cervix YOUCH again! Surgical Hysteroscopy & D&C Feb -to get the lining in better shape to cycle again.
March 2011 IVF attempt #2 with a natural start, short antagonist protocol. Canceled right at the start due to a dominant follicle & very low follicle count (3). Things were not looking very bright. We were told we might have to consider donor eggs, but I needed the closure of at least getting to egg retrieval with my own 33 year old eggs first.
April 2011 IVF attempt #3 using an Estrogen Priming Protocol with Antagonist with a max dose of stims (also threw in IV intralipid treatments just in case of any autoimmune factor). My starting follicle count was just 4 total between the two ovaries, but we decided to push forward regardless of the low chance of success. 3 follicles responded, 3 eggs retrieved, 2 were mature, both fertilized, but... we ended up with 2 good quality 8 celled embryos to transfer on day 3!
BFP Beta #1 at 11dp3dt =236, Beta #2 at 14dp3dt =1167
So grateful to have beaten the odds!
May 2011 1st u/s one little bean equipped with heartbeat, all looks on track size wise.
June 2011 2nd u/s at 11 weeks -all is well with the active little peanut, released to an OB.
July 2011 3rd, 4th & 5th u/s during a 6 day long kidney
stone episode between 16 and 17 weeks. It passed and thankfully did not
cause preterm labour.
Aug 2011 6th u/s at 20 weeks (routine anatomy scan) all looks great, measuring right on track.
EDD Dec 31, 2011 -New Year's Eve! Baby girl arrives Jan 6, 2012
Hold on, back up the bus... surprise pregnancy 7 months post partum while still breastfeeding!?!?!
EDD May 4, 2013. Baby boy arrives May 2, 2013
