Months into the process of trying to conceive I again felt something wasn’t right. We tried and tried again with ovulation sticks to test when the fertile window was with no luck. Doctors won’t pay any attention to you until you’ve been unable to conceive for a year so we just waited and kept trying. At the year mark, my primary doctor finally ordered some tests including an HSG, or hysterosalpingogram, which is basically an x-ray of of your uterus and Fallopian tubes with dye injected. Not pleasant for anyone involved. This showed that my one functioning Fallopian tube was open and indeed functional but that I possibly had scar tissue on my one ovary and a possible sub-septate uterus, or malformed uterus which can lead to preterm labor or miscarriage. The results of this test were a little hard to take because it confirmed my suspicion that there was something possibly wrong with me, but on the other hand brought clarity to the possible reason for James’ preterm labor.
She also ordered the typical testing for Adam which all came back 100% normal. It felt good to be able to confirm that there was nothing wrong on his end, but again was a little tough to know that whatever issue there was was likely on my end.
After the results came back from the HSG, I finally got the go ahead to work with an infertility doctor. She referred me to a location about 30 minutes from home and I thought nothing of it, but looking back would recommend to myself and anyone else that location matters due to all the traveling for multiple tests and added stress that can cause. I guess above all the quality of doctor and practice should be the determining factor but knowing myself and experience thus far, the travel has impacted my stress level. Fast forward to almost five months later and I’m seeking out a new doctor and practice closer to home.
Anyway, I met with the referred doctor located in Glenview, Illinois. She ordered up several more tests including lots of bloodwork, genetic testing and a ‘water ultrasound’ to further look at my uterus. The bloodwork and hormone levels all came back great except for my prolactin level which was too high. This is a hormone that is commonly elevated when pregnant and/or breastfeeding, both of which I am not so it was a little confusing to both me and my doctor. Luckily enough, this is easily treatable with a medication which I started a low dose of and had to come back for follow up to test the level. I think I’ve been in five times since for bloodwork and my level has not changed; they just keep increasing the dosage. Very strange and frustrating. Could this be why I’m not getting pregnant? The nurse told me that there’s an old wives tale that women can’t get pregnant while breastfeeding. Obviously not true but maybe true for some?
On to the ‘water ultrasound’ or SHG, saline infusion sonohysterogram. I was told this wouldn’t be painful but in fact I think it was more uncomfortable than the HSG. This is basically a regular vaginal ultrasound where they inject saline in at the same time. Imagine feeling like an organ is about to break open from insane amounts of pressure... so uncomfortable. The results of this test indicated that I had a polyp in my uterus. At first I thought, so what? But my doctor recommended surgery to remove this polyp as a possible egg could implant on or near the polyp causing miscarriage. So now we’re talking a surgery... After this test I questioned the possible scar tissue on my right and only existing ovary. She seemed to dismiss this stating she didn’t agree with the HSG results after having the SHG. This was concerning to me as I’ve always been concerned about the possible scar tissue resulting from my surgery at 19 weeks pregnancy and then again for a c-section. But I just had to trust the doctor at this point.
On to surgery: my doctor recommended a hysteroscopy under anesthesia for a polypectomy, or basically a fancy way of saying removing the polyp. We ended up waiting a couple months to have the surgery due to new (better) insurance so it would cost us less money in the end. A smart decision but man, I just wanted to move on with all of this. Another fun fact, surgery happened to be scheduled for the week Adam was out of town for the Super Bowl. Classic, right?! Luckily my mom was more than willing to help out and take me. I’m so thankful for her support. Surgery went quick and well with no adverse effects. I was instructed to remain on birth control (counterproductive!) for two weeks to continue to rest my uterus.
We’re now almost two months past surgery and I’m still not pregnant and we still have no clear cause for our infertility. I’ve decided to change doctors to a location about 10 minutes from home to ease the burden of frequent bloodwork and appointments and have also decided to pursue IVF in the near future. I’m scared, nervous, but also hopeful for what is to come. I know and feel that our family is not complete.
Thank you for reading. What started as a frustrating situation has turned into a year-plus long struggle with fertility and a situation I never imagined we would be in but that affects so many. By sharing I hope others can learn something or that I can know I’m not alone and feel the support of others, whether having gone through infertility struggles or not.
