Unexplained Infertility

[MammaBird]

I know I'm not alone in dealing with unexplained infertility and thought I'd start a thread so that we can share our feelings, ideas, experiences, and stories.  Success stories would be fabulous!

We've been ttc #2 since 7/2010.  One pregnancy in 10/2010 ended quickly (blighted ovum).  We continued to ttc on our own until 5/2011 when my doctor referred me to an RE.  Since then, I've tried wheat grass, clomid, femara, now follistim, and 3 IUI's.  All of our test results are good to great and yet I don't get pregnant.  I am 41 (soon to be 42), and I realize that is a factor...maybe a bigger factor than I want to admit? 

I had an ultrasound yesterday (on CD 11) and there are 4 "great follicles" and the uterine lining is "perfect," and you'd think I would be happy or excited.  But I'm not.  I know that I should be grateful and hopeful, but I'm not.  My inner reaction was "yeah, I've heard that before."  I sort of hoped that they would look at the ultrasound and say "oh...we didn't notice *that* before, we need to address that."  I'm aware that I sound ungrateful and that I shouldn't wish for a problem (and I truly don't)...maybe it's just ttc/unexplained fertility fatigue?  Have I simply gotten my hopes up one too many times and I'm no longer able to be hopeful?  I'm typically an eternal optimist, so this is new territory for me.

Can you relate?  Advice?  Words of wisdom?

[monkeyscience]

I don't have unexplained infertility (I have PCOS), but I want to say there's nothing wrong with you for wishing there was a problem! When you know what the problem is, there are generally solutions to be tried, or you know that nothing will fix it. I was so happy to FINALLY get a PCOS diagnosis, because it meant I could begin to understand the way my own body had been behaving for years. And, honestly, if you haven't been able to get pregnant, there IS a problem. You just don't know what it is. It's okay to want your enemy to take off its mask and look you in the eye!

Anyway, there are lots of ladies with unexplained infertility around here, so hopefully they will pop on over and share their experiences with you. In the meantime, good luck!

[MammaBird]

Thank you, Monkeyscience!  I need to talk with my RE about further investigating what's going on (or not going on).  We haven't talked much/done much about *why* I'm not getting pregnant, and it's time to do that.  Perhaps that's the key to getting past this stuck or hopeless feeling, as repeating the same process each month with no success is starting to feel like beating my head against the wall. 

Do you mind if I ask if you had any PCOS symptoms other than infertility?  How did it happen that you got the diagnosis? 

Thanks, again.  I appreciate your perspective and advice.

M.

[monkeyscience]

My biggest PCOS symptom was irregular menstrual cycles, and, after I started charting, a history of anovulatory cycles. Because I wasn't overweight and didn't have acne or excessive facial hair, my first OB/GYN dismissed it as a possibility. (Sidenote: I do have a mustache, but it's very light, so it isn't super noticeable.) At the time, I was also under the impression that you had to be very overweight to have PCOS, so I didn't really question her. When I was finally diagnosed, my doctor did a bunch of hormone blood tests. The things that came back as abnormal were my testosterone level (elevated), my LH/FSH ratio (about 3:1, I think), and DHEAS (elevated, I think). Based on the blood test and my menstrual history, I was given a diagnosis of PCOS. About a year later when I saw an RE and had an ultrasound done, it was confirmed that I also had the classic "pearl necklace" pattern of cysts in my ovaries.

From what I understand of it, to be diagnosed with PCOS you have to meet at least two of three criteria:

• irregular/absent periods
• elevated testosterone levels
• polycystic ovaries

The interesting thing is that you don't have to meet ALL of the criteria to be diagnosed with PCOS. Although it's somewhat less common, women with regular menstrual cycles can also have PCOS. This site seems to have decent information on it, and it lists some more signs and symptoms. Again, though, you definitely don't have to meet all the criteria to have PCOS. Hope that helps at least some!

[renavoo]

Ugh, unexplained fertility...what I now consider the bane of my existence.

I'm TTC #1. We started when I was 33 years old and I just now turned 35. So, we've been trying for about 2 years. Everything comes back within normal range. I've tried multiple different types of medicated cycles...3 clomid and 1 femara cycle followed by trigger shots and IUIs each time. In each case, I had multiple follicles and yet, nothing stuck. Like you, MammaBird, my tests have been good to perfect.

I just finished an IVF cycle and got yet another BFN. It's really disheartening. I'm with you. I just want to know SOMETHING is wrong. I just want to be able to say that I'm having trouble because of this defined reason, as opposed to an "unexplained" reason. But I don't think we will ever have any answer. And yes, it does feel like I'm beating my head on an unmovable wall as well.

I finally got to speak with my RE about why he thinks my IVF cycle failed. He said that generally, IVFs fail because there is a chromosomal deficiency in the embies and that prevents implantation. Well, that's all great but there's no way we can tell which are problem embies so who knows...he says my chances go up with each subsequent cycle. I'm going for a frozen embie transfer mid October so I'm hoping that it works.

I, like you probably do, feel the pressure of time. I feel like I'm in a race, even with other people, and I want to stop feeling like that! But it's so hard when we're surrounded by people announcing how they are pregnant and in most cases, it feels like they can get pregnant without trying. I feel better on this site because I know we all are struggling to get pregnant and therefore, an announced pregnancy actually brings HOPE!

Generally, I just try to bide my time and try to keep thinking that one day, it WILL happen for us. And it will! It gets more and more difficult with each subsequent BFN...I am used to being a very positive and optimistic person but pessimism really does step in more and more often. I think my only advice that I can give is that I try to fill my weeks of waiting with stuff I want to do. I also don't try to make the days go by faster. In my mind, having the days speed by makes me as depressed! So, as long as I enjoy each day, I'm happy. And when it's finally my time to be pregnant, I won't feel like I've only lived for TTCing the last couple of years. Although, there are days that it really does feel like my life is consumed by TTCing.

See how I see-saw back and forth? haha

[GaleTX]

I, too, am cursed with unexplained infertility. DH is 34 and I'm 29 and our DD is 7.  We have been TTC #2 for 26 months with no luck.  Three OB-GYNs and two REs later, I've had every lab test known to man, an HSG, five Clomid cycles, two IUIs, an exploratory laparoscopy and hysteroscopy and DH had a SA.  Every.single.test. is within normal limits, yet we have had absolutely no luck.  Not even a "hmm..maybe it's kind of sort of a line".  We have been officially diagnosed with unexplained secondary infertility. We're currently debating if we want to do another IUI with our sixth and final Clomid cycle. 

I get so sick and tired of hearing "everything is normal."  Obviously, something is not normal if we're not getting pregnant.  DD was conceived two months after we got married, the same month I went off BCP.  Now I feel like I eat, sleep and breathe having another child. I'm shocked every time we get a normal result from the latest thing the doctor wants us to do.  It's alway, "we'll try this and surely we'll get answers." I feel like I keep moving on to more and more invasive things and I'm not any closer to getting another child.  IVF keeps coming up and, if we do IUI for the third time and it's no successful, is pretty much the last option we have.  I just can't imagine spending upwards of $20K when we have no more of a guarantee of getting a child than we've had with anything else.  Sometimes I feel like we homorrhage money paying for "just one more test" that's surely going to give us the answers we're looking for.  Our insurance covers absolutely nothing, so we're paying out of pocket for everything.

People don't seem to get how frustrating the whole unexplained infertilty thing is.  I personally think I would cope better if the doctor told me I have X and I'll never have anymore kids vs not knowing what the issue is and whether it's realistic to keep trying or not.  Every month is a roller coaster ride waiting to see if the latest thing has worked and it's made worse by the well-intentioned people who tell you to just relax or, my personal favorite, how they tried for three months before they got pregnant so they know what I'm going through.

[MammaBird]

Hi, Renavoo -- I'm sorry to hear that you got a BFN after your first IVF.  Thankfully you have the fronzen embies...I'm hoping the best for you and that you get the results you've been waiting for.  Do you have to skip a month between IVF procedures?  That sounds hard.  I have no patience anymore!  I truly relate to the racing against time and other people feeling.  A good friend and colleague is the same age as me and we were both pregnant and had miscarriages at the same time last year.  She's now 5 months pregnant.  I am sincerely happy for her, but it'd still hard.  We have our 4th IUI scheduled for Monday and if it doesn't work, we're going to have to try something different. 

Gale TX -- I'm in the same boat as you.  DD was born 9 months after our wedding, which was just one month after going off BCP.  It was so easy, but then I was a lot younger then.  IVF seems to be what's next for us, but we can't afford it.  Or we're choosing not to afford it?  I'm not sure which it really is.  We'd have to put it on a credit card or take a loan, so I guess that means we can't afford it.  I started off believing I wouldn't do anything invasive, but I would honestly try anything within my financial means at this point.  I am thinking about acupuncture, but I have yet to make the call.

I tried to explore possible causes on my own today (on line).  I've got nothing...no ideas of any kind. 

I am looking forward to being in the 2 ww again.  I usually feel more hopeful then.  At least for a while. 

[renavoo]

Hi MammaBird,

Good luck with your IUI! I'm know it's difficult but try to be hopeful...it can happen anytime! Hopefully, this is your time. I do hear that acupuncture does help though...I plan on doing acupuncture before and after my FET as well. It does get expensive...$100 each session, but I just don't want to regret anything. Also, I hear that pineapple core during the time of implantation (so maybe start 3-4 days post IUI?) may help...I always think it can't hurt so I'll be eating pineapple core after the FET as well. I did all this last time too and was unsuccessful, though. sigh.

I wanted to start my FET cycle right after I found out the IVF failed. However, scheduling at my center prevented that from happening so now, I'll be taking BCPs for 3 weeks and then starting the drugs to build up my lining. It annoys me that i have to wait but I guess it is the way it is. TTC is so inconvenient! But it'll all be worth it when DH and i have a baby to love!

[TenzinsMama]

I, too, have been given the diagnosis of Unexplained Infertility, back when I was married to a man who I was with for several years but am not any longer... I've since remarried.  So... I'm not sure if the diagnosis still sticks with my DH and I, since it can be the sum of the two parts--the other thing is, that first relationship was fairly rocky at times and so we were trying/not trying (but mostly not trying), and I was under a great deal of extra stress-- but we still received the diagnosis.  It's been hanging over my head for years, although, sometimes I am hopeful about my DH and I since we did have one early m/c from a natural conception and then 3 months later we conceived our DS on Clomid/IUI #2.  We went to ART without waiting too long because of my age-- I was almost 40 at that time. 

So now, here we are... Just had our full fertility work-up results explained to us, and Unexplained wasn't even brought up, it was more about my egg quality.  My pelvic u/s shows I have great numbers of antral follicles-- usually a woman my age (4 months shy of 42) would have 4-6, but I have 17 in one ovary and 20 in the other.  All other tests were good (HSG, blood).  So now our choices are:  Clomid/IUI, Superovulation which is the other drugs (stims, trigger, not sure what they are all called), or IVF.  I've had big time side effects with Clomid, but it is cheaper... it has only 5% success rate for us apparently.  Superov is not too expensive, given that we have 80% drug coverage, but if I over-stimulate they would have to convert to IVF and then it is a sub-optimal IVF cycle because it wouldn't have had all the protocols for a regular IVF.  IVF is crazy expensive-- again, our drugs would be mostly covered, but it is the procedure fees that bring it up. 

We are leaning towards IVF.  But a part of me wonders if it would work with Clomid/IUI.  It is really hard not knowing what's wrong-- I mean, maybe it is just egg quality, and that's bad enough, but if there is something else that they just don't know about?  If I knew for sure where things were at, it would help me decide which ART to go with.  Right now, the cost isn't something we are really that concerned about, because we have just accepted it already that we would be getting a loan.

How does a person decide how many IUIs to go with before joining the IVF group?  Anybody care to share how they have been coping with decision-making around things like that?  Mammabird, did I read that you are going for 1 more IUI?

IVF seems like such a roller coaster, I've been reading the IVF thread... Renavoo, I am so sorry that you didn't get a bfp.  I was on edge for days, rooting you on as I was following your story, and then it was like "No. No. No."  I'm glad to see that you are coping, and you are already making plans to get ready for the FET.  I was going to ask you, what are the reasons for subsequent IVFs being more successful, according to your RE?  I know that my doc said that with IVF, they should be able to get lots of embies, and then if the fresh doesn't result in a bfp we would have FET to go to.  Did your doc give you any figures in terms of success rates for you specifically, for the fresh?  I wish that more of us could afford the genetic testing, given that so many don't take because of chromosomal issues, so that we could get it if we wanted to.

[renavoo]

Hi TenzinsMama, good to see you on here! I know it sometimes seems like it would be a good idea to try the cheaper route (IUI) and it may work because you seem in really great shape! I think that most doctors would suggest IVF because of your age...a lot of people would suggest IVF for me too because i'm 35. We did 4 IUIs and decided that there was no point in continuing on. we were spending so much money that it seemed like we would eventually have spent the same amount for an IVF cycle. So we bit the bullet for the higher % success rate.

My RE says that I have a 50%-60% chance of getting pregnant with every cycle. The possibility of me getting pregnant goes up each cycle just like a regular woman- the more times we try, the more likely we are to finally get a healthy embie that will stick. That's why women tend to get pregnant 3-6 months after starting to try- each time they have i think a 20 or so % chance of success but try it enough times and you're just more likely to get pregnant.

Because FETs require the very high quality embies and because they have such a great procedure now to freeze and unfreeze the eggs, my RE says that the chances of pregnancy are similar to that for a fresh cycle. Therefore, if my embies (blastocysts) unfreeze well, he says I have a 50% chance of success. I really hope it works out because otherwise, I'll be doing another fresh cycle and whereas I didn't think it was too bad, it wasn't too much fun either. ;o)

I'm so with you about the chromosomal testing!! My RE says that the most probably reason why the fresh cycle failed is because of chromosomal issues. On another forum, one of the women shared some results from a study showing that up to 50% of embies actually have some form of chromosomal deficiency, which is why things fail. Chances are much higher of this as a woman ages so we have even more of a burden. sigh. What I wouldn't give to have started this years before...of course, I would have had to meet my DH :o)

Good luck!!

[MammaBird]

Thanks for the tip on the pineapple core -- I hadn't heard that before.  Of course I ran out and bought a pineapple right away. 

I'm 1 day past IUI.  I used Femara, Follistim, and an HCG trigger.  The u/s showed 6 good sized follicles, so we will see... I am not sure what we'll do if IUI doesn't work this time.  At this point, I'd say that IVF isn't an option because of the $.  So perhaps I'll try IUI again, or maybe I'll take a break for a few months and start acupuncture.  My RE has a new plan each time I call with a BFN, but we never discuss "the next cycle" before that moment.  I'm sure she would discuss it with me before then if I wanted to, but I try very hard to stay focused on the present and the positive, and so far, that's been the case.  My RE is fabulous -- I'm so happy I found her.  She ttc with IUI and IVF, and ended up adopting two kids.  It's comforting to know that she knows what I'm going through. 

TenzinsMama, I'm glad that you mentioned egg quality.  Given my age (the same as yours), I imagine that could my issue too.  How is that diagnosed? 

I found my fertility pendant (a friend brought it for me from I can't remember what country in Africa 10 years ago) and have been wearing it for a few days now.  I didn't wear it/need it when ttc #1, and I'm hoping that it brings me success now.  It's funny how the little things bring me hope.

[TenzinsMama]

MammaBird, I don't know if they do specific tests on women for egg quality, or it is just what they have found from studying ovaries and eggs in general.  If we are born with a certain number of eggs, and then they find women with so many fewer left the old they get then they know that they are dying off all the time.  If they are dying all the time, then they would be going through some state of deterioration and would either have chromosomal abnormalities or be fine to start but then suffer from arrested development (either by not getting past the fertilization stage, or not being able to implant successfully).  The bit about chromosomal issues and arrested development was explained to me by my doc... she talked with me about the increased miscarriage rate in older women because of egg quality issues. 

I really want to save ourselves the expense of IVF and I would really like to go with something that is more gentler on the body, but at this point, we are looking to maximize the time I have left-- our doc told us that after age 42, success rates plummet even with IVF.  She said something to the effect that in our case, when it comes to maximizing our chances, one IVF is equal to 13 rounds of IUI with meds.  Didn't ask her to explain fully, because it didn't matter-- it tipped the scale for us to do IVF.   2 years ago we were told that for a fresh IVF transfer we had a 50% chance of success, and now it is down to 30%. I think that isn't for a bfp, but a live birth, those stats... I'll want to doublecheck that so we know for sure.  It sounds all doom and gloom though, doesn't it... but, that's based on what they see for couples typically and in our specific situation.  She did say that not everything can be understood entirely when it comes to this field, and there are always exceptions and situations that defy the odds.  She's certainly not pushing us to go either way, as she did give us a bunch of options to consider.  She was the one who encouraged us 2 years ago to start out with IUI before going straight to IVF, and we had conceived our DS on the 2nd one.  So we know she has our best interests at heart-- I'm really glad that we have her as our doc.

Also, I wanted to add that I know someone who went through IVF and didn't conceive, but then at 44 she had IUI and was successful!  So, it does happen!  And I know a family that I worked with who ended up adding to it when the mother was 46-- conceived totally naturally, and mom and babe were fine throughout the pregnancy and the daughter is beautifully healthy to this day.  So, it only takes one good egg!

[renavoo]

TenzinsMamma, that's beautifully put.

I think for all of us, it's all about playing the odds. Yes, DH and I could have continued to try IUIs. However, we were told that the chances of us conceiving with an IUI after already doing 4 IUIs was a lot lower...Therefore, we decided to move on to IVF. Yes, it was much more expensive. But we've already spent $4000 on the IUIs...If we continued to do more IUIs, we may have just been wasting more money and time.

[aprilmom]

  All the stories I have read sound so familiar.  We conceived DD naturally after 3 months of trying.  We start trying for baby #2 in July of 2007.  We tried clomid with 3 cycles (and clomid makes me crazy) and that didn't work.  So, we moved to an RE and tried IUI.  We did IUI with clomid and after that didn't work, we moved to a hybrid (some injectables) IUI twice.  Our RE told us that after 3 IUI's the success rate drops.  I went through a period of grieving as I was not wanting to do IVF and we moved on.  I had accepted our family the way it was and was blissfully happy.  Then one day I was participating in a food day at work and the food tasted funny... so I left and went to get an HPT.  When it came up BFP, all the blood drained out of me!  I had to have someone else tell me what that meant.  We found out between 6-7 weeks that it was a blighted ovum.  I was really mad at God for a while not understanding why he would do this to me after trying for so many years and then moving on. Well it took me a while to move past that and in the back of my mind I was thinking 'they say you are more fertile after a m/c'.  My job was very rocky and we were working on borrowed time (they told us we would be let go in 3/09) so we didn't want to spend the money for IVF. I ended up getting a new job and we tried IVF.  To test my egg qualities, they did a blood test (not sure what they look for though?)  Our RE had also retired and we fell in love with the new guy.  He said his recommends people with unexplained infertility not try IUI's as it shows they are more successful with IVF.  Well, they only got 7 eggs and 2 fertilized, and one made it past day 2.  That one embryo ended up dying before day 5.  When we met to review our cycle, he said there is no reason that I responded the way I did.  He said there are clearly no promises in this process, but he thinks that if we try it again we will get different results.  I think part of the reason is they can see how you respond to the medicine and adjust the protocol.  The initial dose of medicine you take, recruits and determines the number of eggs that will start to develop (I didn't know that). So, he has offered us a cycle that he will provide with out his charge (still pay for meds and hospital bill) and we are giving it a try.  I just started on BCP last night.  I am hopeful but a lot more guarder this time around.  I asked him about egg quality and he said that he doesn't think that is our issue but he did have me start taking DHEA to help with egg quality.  Like all of you I wish I could just know the final outcome so I know when to throw in the towel. 

I hope that all you find answers soon and get that BPF you are looking for!

[TenzinsMama]

Renavoo, I totally understand what you mean about the cost of IUIs soon adding up-- ours wasn't as much because it was Clomid that I was taking and you aren't monitored, but with 'Superovulation' with injectibles that is where the cost at our clinic comes to what you were paying. 

April, I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you with the IVF cycle.  I think it is really hopeful that your doc knows where things are at in terms of how it went and so he can tweak things to make it more in tune with what you need to have happen.  I'm sorry for your loss betwen 6-7 weeks before that, too.  That sounds heartbreaking.  I had a m/c at 5.5 weeks, and I think that when we have been touched by infertility in any way, it seems like having our take-home baby is that more elusive at times, so we have to dig deep for continuing hope.  I think it's incredible that your doc is willing to do that for you, to me that seems like he has a ton of hope for you.  By the way, I was crazy on clomid, too.  I've taken it during two time periods in my recent years, 100mg for 3 cycles (with IUI) and 2 cycles (again with IUI).  After taking it that second cycle, I said 'no more' and we paid the $250 registration fee for IVF.  That was a big step for me, because I didn't think I could go through IVF.  But wanting a baby so badly, I told myself that I would deal with the roller coaster ride and get through it.  Then, I discovered that the cycle had worked!  I really wish that it was a good option for us this next go-round, as it costs $350 for the procedure and $13 for meds (thanks to drug coverage).  But, my egg quality due to my age is a factor more than ever now, and the more I hear what you and others like Renavoo say about the success rate of IUI, I'm just going to go for IVF now.  So, I'll be joining you all in the new thread when it is up tomorrow! 

[aprilmom]

TenzinsMama - strangely the IVF cycle was easier on me then my clomid IUIs.  I had prepared myself for crazy hormones (and don't get me wrong it wasn't a walk in the park) but I think as I get older and understand what to expect, I prepare better?  IVF is a big step and I am glad you are going to join our thread.  Even if you are still unsure, you are welcome.  The ladies there are amazing and I am not sure how I would have gotten through this with out them!!

[TenzinsMama]

April, that is very reassuring.  Yes, the clomid was so hard on me, I had so many nasty side effects that were physical, mental and emotional, and I seemed to get many of the ones that were considered 'rare'.  And then the effects seemed to last for such a long time. 

I'm just starting to get AF, should be full flow by tomorrow and then I get to call my period date into our clinic and then get officially put on the waitlist.  It's 2-4 months.  Now that we've made the decision to go ahead, I just want it to happen sooner rather than later.  Our RE gave us a quick run-down on what to expect in terms of the protocol, but I'm still not really sure of the time process.  I know that our clinic closes for a week in December for the Christmas break, so I don't know what they do when people are cycling through things and it comes time to do a transfer or whatever else is time sensitive-- can they tweak meds so that it coincides with when they are open, I wonder...?

[dot1]

Unexplained infertility really does suck, hey?  I found I didn't get much sympathy with secondary infertility either (comments such as, "Oh you must feel so fortunate to have gotten your daughter..." albeit well intentioned, but not at all helpful...)

Have you been monitoring your basal body temps?  How old is your first child?  Have you noticed any correlation between your cycles and the moon phases?  Did you get full cycle monitoring on unmedicated cycles (more than one)?

I bring up those questions b/c those were what I believe to have been factors in my journey. Am now 35 weeks pg - after TTC for 2 years.  Got my BFP 7 months after weaning dd1 (now 4.5 yrs) who was only nursing at bedtime for the previous year.  Will turn 40 soon so I guess I have a little bit of age advantage.  Anyway, before conceiving I "seemed" to have a short luteal phase and slightly shorter cycle than I used to (when I did the OPK test my luteal phase was 10 days).  The First response OPK's would show a "weak" positive.  Tried a couple cycles of clomid (and got very definite OPK positives and had high progesterones - 63, 65) and was about to move onto Femera.  Then I decided to "take a break" and simply monitor a natural cycle, with temps, OPK and a 7dpo progesterone level.  Had intercourse like crazy when the OPK was positive (and it was very positive)....and there happened to be a full moon when I ovulated.  For some reason I had a hunch to take it really easy during this luteal phase, only exercise lightly, try to get lots of daylight to boost seretonin levels.  My day 7po progesterone came back at 61 on an unmedicated cycle!!!!  Then my temp stayed high after I got my typical pre-period spotting....and lo and behold a BFP!!!  This makes me think that the clomid does "hang around" in the system and have an effect (and that if the number of clomid cycles are limited, for some like me it might make sense to take a break in between to maximize the benefit of clomid).  Unfortunately, I didn't get a confirmation of my ovulation status and progesterone levels PRIOR to starting clomid... so it will always remain a mystery why I finally conceived.  But I do believe that the moon, daylight, and taking it easy were factors.  I'm guessing I've always ovulated, but just didn't implant well.

I also followed the seeds of the moon diet (omega 3's during follicular phase of cycle e.g. flax, fish oil, pumpkin seeds, and more omega 6's, e.g. sesame, sunflower, etc. during luteal phase cycle) in an attempt to bring my cycles in line with the moon.

I wish I had started doing BBT's much sooner to get a more true idea of what was happening prior to trying the clomid.  But it's so hard to not jump straight to the interventions when time is ticking!

Wishing you baby dust.  Best wishes.

[MammaBird]

Hi, Dot1!  Thanks for writing.  Congratulations to you and yours.  How exciting to be 35 weeks along...I hope to be there again some day soon.  Your story gives me hope. 

My dd is 7 years old, so it's been a long time.  We had no problem conceiving her, took just one month of not really even trying, and I was 34 then. 

I do not monitor BBT, and am thinking that I should start.  I do pay attention to my cycles and to CM, and I take OPK's each month (fortunately, I always get a positive OPK between days 15-18, with or without medications).  This afternoon I have my first appointment for acupuncture/TCM with a goal of improving egg quality.  I'm also getting an HSG (test) next week.   We didn't do an HSG at the onset of fertility treatment, but now a few months have gone by and the RE wants to do this one last test, just to be sure.  She said the reason she didn't do it in the beginning was that I did get pregnant last year (ended in m/c at 6-7 weeks), which probably means the tubes are clear.  But I am at the point that I really need to be able to eliminate all possible reasons for the infertility.  And, the fact that the test does slightly increase fertility for 3-6 months afterward sounds really good to me.  I'll take any and all help I can get. 

I'm very interested in the seeds of the mood diet.  I've been drinking a lot of wheat grass juice, which helps a lot with energy, and I hear it helps to lower FSH (my FSH is 10).  I'm sure that I'll get other recommendations at my appointment later today.  I know those recommendations will include no MSG, no alcohol, no caffeine, no chemical cleaning products, no hair dye, etc.  I've cut back on all of these things, but cutting them out entirely will be a huge change.  Well worth it, of course, if/when I get that BFP . :-)

[dot1]

I had an hsg done about 5 months before conceiving. b/c of my history of post partum hemorrhage they thought it could be possible that the bleeding could have done something to the tubes? Make sure you ask them to also check for uterine fibroids or any other uterine abnormality that might affect implantation.  Sounds like you ovulate, but the BBT charting and progesterone levels really helped me to "confirm" that the money I was spending on OPK's was actually worth it (and I wasn't just getting a false positive). It also helped me to confirm how long my luteal phase was....and allowed me to save money on pregnancy tests too (no point taking one once spotting started and my temp dropped as I knew af was coming....).  I had trouble getting consistent readings with BBT as I didn't always sleep through the night, but the chart really did help me to figure out how the temps fit in with all the other signs.

The other factor I forgot to mention was my husband's SA, while "normal" was on the low end of normal.  And then a second SA had low numbers and only 1% normal forms (which the RE said should be higher, like at least 3%).  So his SA actually did seem to vary somewhat.  But ironically, we conceived soon after that.  Hopefully your RE and TCM Dr. have some recommendations for dh, even if his SA is completely normal - can't hurt to boost those swimmers!  dh also had an ANA (antinuclear antibodies testing) as he had a history of testicular torsion and surgery to fix....but I guess anyone could have antibodies.  It was negative.

Good luck with the TCM - maybe he/she will discuss the role of diet at various phases of the cycle and/or cooling vs. heating.  It was a naturopath who recommended the dietary things for me.  Oh...and I had also neglected to be taking a prenatal multi and the naturopath vega testing showed low iron and b vitamins (ironically standard blood testing showed my hemoglobin in the lowest end of normal, but b12 was okay) Vitamin supplements, including fish oils was the other change that may have helped my fertility.  And apparently men who do the same have higher conception rates too (3-4 times?  but I don't have any source, sorry....just recall reading that in a mainstream parenting mag somewhere).

Hoping for you!