Infertility.
It even LOOKS scary, that word just sitting alone up there.
Yesterday, my husband and I went to a new doctor. We waited all fidgety in the waiting room, then were shown into a small exam room with a picture of 3 kids surrounding their moms’ very pregnant belly. That picture made me a little sad.
A nurse came in and took all kinds of info down to make my new chart. Then the doctor came in with a whirlwind of information and a flurry of tests they’ll do. Blood work, ovulation tests, semen analysis, and something terrifying called a ‘Hysterosalpingogram‘. It wasn’t until we were in bed last night, when Jared told me that I could schedule those tests for whenever I want, that I realized all those tests don’t have to happen in the next two weeks. Phew! But still overwhelming. So Friday, the journey of workups begins. I’ll go to the lab at the hospital in town here and get some blood tests done.
But here’s the thing: I’m not scared. Well, I’m scared of the Hysterosalpingogram (giant word for huge scary test involving my uterus and injectable dye. big fun.), but not of this overall journey. I’m trusting in the same God that Elizabeth and Sarah trusted (or, at times, didn’t trust). I’m young, healthy, and backed up by my amazing husband.
So infertility? Bring it. I’m not scared of you.
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My sister mentioned that I might have some helpful comments to add to this blog.
As for the “histeroselpingogram”…
It’s the BEST thing to ever happen…I’ll explain in a minute.
My husband and I went through 21 months of ttc. Within the 7th month we got our plus sign but it didn’t last.
After 19 months of ttc we decided to visit a reproductive endocronologyst.
They told us about all those tests you mentioned plus a couple more.
The main thing for us was that our trust was in God. No matter what the doctors report is, we will believe the report of the Lord.
So we did the tests. Blood work, semen analysis, ultrasounds and histeroselpingogram.
Blood work came out perfect. Semen analysis showed us that hubby’s sperm count was way over the norm (He was so proud of himself that he was fist pumping in the doctors office). Ultrasound where they count the follicles and cysts. The cysts let the doctor know of how many eggs you have. Apparently I had an egg count of 3 women combined. And then the histeroselpingogram, I was so nervous. I laid there, the doctor came in and push stuff through my uterus. It didn’t hurt. It felt weird and I felt pressure like little cramps or gas. He showed me on the xray as the stuff flowed into the uterus and out the tubes revealing that there was no blockage.
Super! So, blood work – good, sperm – good, eggs – good, flow – good.
So what’s the problem??
The doctor told us to just relax, enjoy each other, love each other. Stop TRYING! And come back in 4 months if nothing happens.
So we did. That next month we got pregnant and I am not 15 weeks.
Apparently the histeroselpingogram clears out the tubes and everything making your chances of conceiving 25% better for the next 3 months! Best thing EVER!
Through out this whole process we had to hold on tight to God and His promises for our lives. There were many tears and sadness but He has the plan for our lives not us.
He is the giver of life. Not me or hubby or both of us together.
Hope this was helpful!
oh I just love your faith!! I am praying.
do me 1 favor and continu to trust HIM! They told me at 18 I could not have children. At 22 had endometriosis removed and told by a fetility specialist – in the “off chance” I got pregnant I wouldn’t be able to carry. Pregnancies would end in miscarriage. Then when I did get pregnant (surprise) the baby wasn’t going to be full term, nor turn. 38 weeks – turned, etc.
GOD HAS PLANS!!
TWO boys for me when more than 1 dr. was “certain” I’d have none! I had my 1st miscarriage a daughter, at 16 weeks last Nov. It was her because of her heart – not my womb.
PRAYING! (over chocolate donuts)
Stef
Oh girl, I know the feelings you’re having right now. We have an almost 3 year old, but have been trying for over a year now for a second child. Keep trusting. The God of Elizabeth and Sarah is the same God we serve today. I’ll be praying for the both of us!
I didn’t comment?? I thought I did. I wanted to just hug you. These stories are lovely. (The ones in the comments)
I don’t want to sound like the heavy here, but I wanted to share that, well, the picture-perfect ending is not necessarily in God’s plans for everyone. Not everyone who struggles with infertility gets the baby they so longed for. But THAT is where the beauty of this particular cross comes in. You are being sanctified and refined by this particular suffering. It’s okay to not be okay with it all the time. And quite frankly, if in the end the baby belly is always someone elses and your heart aches at every baby shower invitation and pregnancy announcement, that’s okay too. You will offer it up, you will grow closer to your spouse and your Lord, and you will be made holy through your sacrifice.
I just want you to hear it from someone who is walking it (they call it secondary infertility for us…. ) that sometimes you don’t get the happy ending so you embrace what IS and book an appointment to chat with God about it when you get to the big house. 😉
You are in my prayers. I pray fervently for a miracle for every.single.couple. that is open to life and so wants to fill their quiver (including us).
(((hugs)))