Stress Doesn't Affect Fertility

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Well that's good to hear isn't it? I recently read an article that says that emotional stress caused by your infertility will not prevent treatment from working.

The article states "Infertility affects up to 15% of the childbearing population and over half of these individuals will seek medical advice in the hope of becoming a parent. Many women believe that emotional distress can reduce their chances of becoming pregnant naturally or having success with fertility treatments. This view is largely based on anecdotal evidence and fertility myths such as 'don't think about it and you'll get pregnant'. Doctors are skeptical that stress affects fertility due to the lack of evidence on this issue."

So the next time someone tells you to relax send them straight to this article.

**Don't forget to check out Spotlight on Infertility, where we feature Real Couples going through Infertility**

ref: http://doctor.ndtv.com/storypage/ndtv/id/5045/Stress_doesnt_affect_fertility.html?pfrom=home-DoctorNDTV

Infertility - IVF Odds of Success

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I was reading this article the other day and thought it was a good article about IVF. It seems the success rates of a live birth are holding steady but are still giving many couples the dream of being parents, 41.3% (for women under 35) to be exact.  

It seems several years ago, SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) started encouraging doctors and patients to limit embryo transfers to one in healthy, younger women. It seems that the overall number of embryos transfers from 2003 to today has dropped from 2.6 to 2.0. For us being out of pocket, I would rather transfer two embryos and hope that having twins is the worse thing we have to worry about.

What did you think about the article? Also, don't forget to check out Spotlight On Infertility to see real faces of Infertility.

ref: http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-ivf-20110307,0,7693033.story

Will the Focus Touch change Infertility Treatment?

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I recently read an article about a product called the Focus Touch. It's an $80 intracervical insemination device that you can buy over the counter. The inventor: Steve Bollinger (pictured above) is trying to bridge the gap between intercourse and IVF.

I have to admit when I first started reading I was very intrigued. The article states that intracervical injection is not as widely used as it was because it doesn't reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases like intrauterine injection does. Plus the success rate for an intracervical injection is about 10 to 15 percent compared to IVF which is about 15 to 25 percent. The biggest reason that Bollinger states he wanted to invent this device is that most Infertility Treatments are so impersonal. 

I know what your thinking..how does this thing work? Bollinger says about the Focus Touch: 

 "A small cap sits at the tip of a specially designed condom. During intercourse, the cap collects the semen and then is removed and fitted onto the end of the Focus Touch. The tube is then inserted into the vaginal tract until it rests against the cervix, placing the semen in close proximity to the woman's cervical entrance. The cap can stay inside the woman's body for three to five hours before being pulled out by a string, much like a tampon."

My opinion: This is an "At Home IUI" (intrauterine injection) so yes $80 is cheaper but there are few things that are missing from this article. First, 90% of women do not keep track of their cycles and that would be a must with the Focus Factor. Second, this "At Home IUI" doesn't require you to do a seman analysis before using the product. What if there are male infertility problems that have not been brought out by testing? Overall though, I'm very interested in this product. I love what Bollinger is trying to do...bring the "coldness" out of making a baby for those of us who aren't luky to conceive babies naturally. Do you think he's looking for Beta Testers?

So tell me your thoughts? What do you think of the Focus Touch? Would you use it?

Requesting Infertility Insurance

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I recently read an article that said Infertility Insurance will cost a company $1.71 extra per month. This was sited in a study conducted by an insurance company. So why is this not covered in the company I work at? Or all companies?

I wanted to know!

Then it clicked, why not ask? If I approach this correctly this could be a great thing for many people who work at the company I do. I wrote up a nice, quick email to my Human Resources department with my question:

"My husband and I have recently run into our current health benefits not covering Infertility. Is there a specific reason this is not in our insurance coverage? Also Is there a way that we can request that this be part of our benefits package for 2012? Or can this be offered as an extra option for us to pay a higher premium for?

Per this article (http://www.fertilitycommunity.com/fertility/infertility-insurance-costs-utilization.html),  IVF out of pocket will cost us $14,500 per cycle, with insurance it would be close to half the cost to us and this company. After lots of reading on the internet it appears that adding infertility insurance to most premiums should only cost $1 per month and can cut down on un-needed surgeries that are covered by insurance.

Thank you for your time, Christine"

Some states do have laws about insurance coverage for Infertility. If you would like to check out yours, click here. In Ohio, testing for Infertility is required to be covered but not IUI or IVF.

After a month I finally received an email back from our Human Resources department:

"I would be happy to forward your request on to the Benefits Team that makes these decisions and see if they would consider this when reviewing the benefits plan for 2012"

Not the worst answer I could have received but I still expected much more. I'm hoping that *maybe* this just wasn't something that was looked into because no one had ever requested it before. I do know that this is something your insurance company has to add on to their package.

I'm not holding my breathe or our plans to move forward with IVF on this maybe but it is promising. If you do not have Infertility Insurance, have you asked your company why it's not covered?

**Resolve's website has a great sample letter to send to your employer**

Spotlight on Infertility: Alisyn Camerota (Fox News Anchor)

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Alisyn Camerota was on the Today Show last week and is now speaking out about her Infertility. This is a great interview and I love that she has her own support group where she helps women through Infertility.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

**If you would like to be featured on Spotlight on Infertility, please email me at domesticprncs@gmail.com**

Spotlight on Infertility: Christy and Jon

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Welcome back to Spotlight on Infertility. It's been a while since we have featured a couple. Please send some encouragement to Christy and Jon:

1. You and your significant others names? Christy and Jon

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 18 months

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IVF) We are preparing for our third Clomid/IUI cycle. The first cycle I ovulated early and we missed our window for the IUI. The second IUI cycle was unsuccessful. I am on BCPs this month to regulate my cycle after a cyst last cycle with the Clomid (100mg).

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? I have had all my bloodwork/hormones checked, including FSH, Estrogen, & Progesterone, as well as multiple Ultrasounds. I have also had an HSG, which came back all clear. Hubby's Semen Analysis came back normal.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? We have been diagnosed with "Unexplained Infertility". The only thing the doctor can suggest at the moment is that I seem to ovulate a little early (day 11-12) sometimes, so there may be an egg quality/maturity issue going on.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) Reproductive Endocrinologist? After one year of trying naturally, my OB/Gyn referred us to an RE at the local Fertility Clinic, who we have been seeing for the past six months.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? I take a PNV, calcium, and Fish Oil. I also just started taking Royal Jelly capsules this week and drink a cup of Green Tea or Raspberry Leaf Tea everyday depending on where I am in my cycle. DH takes a multi-vitamin and Fish Oil.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I charted for two years while we were TTA and have continued to do so. I used ovulation predictor tests for a few months but haven't done that in a while. Now that I'm being monitored by the RE I don't feel the need to chart as consistently.

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? No.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? We plan to do one more Clomid/IUI cycle, then move onto Clomid + injectables/IUI, then injectables/IUI before discussing the next option (IVF/adoption/quit trying).

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? I think the Unexplained Infertility diagnosis is perhaps one of the most difficult to deal with. It is so frustrating when every test comes back normal and the doctors cannot pinpoint a reason for our infertility. We waited for so long to start trying, making sure we were ready financially and emotionally. I have had normal 28-30 day cycles all my life and never expected to have such a difficult and disappointing journey to conceiving. This whole experience has opened up my eyes as to how many people like us there are out there struggling with the same heartbreak. We just have to stay positive and know that God has a plan for us!

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: N/A

**If you would like to be featured on Spotlight on Infertility, please email me at domesticprncs@gmail.com**

Spotlight on Infertility: Laura Bush

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I haven't had any submissions for the Spotlight on Infertility for a couples weeks, so I thought it would be fun to share this with you.

"For some years now, the wedding invitations that had once crowded the mailbox had been replaced by shower invites and pink-or-blue-beribboned baby announcements. I bought onesies or rattles, wrapped them in yellow paper, and delivered them to friends. I had done it with a happy wistfulness, believing that someday my time, my baby, would come. George and I had hoped that I would be pregnant by the end of his congressional run. Then we hoped it would be by the time his own father announced his presidential run, then by the presidential primaries, the convention, the general election. But each milestone came and went. The calendar advanced, and there was no baby.

The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?" -Laura Bush
source
**If you would like to be featured on the Spotlight on Infertility, please contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com**

Spotlight On Infertility: Christopher and Christine

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It's probably about time that I included our Spotlight

1. You and your significant others names? Christy and Chris

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 18 months

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? We are currently saving for IVF. We have set a limit of 2 IVF cycles before moving on to other options.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Christy=HSG, Thyroid, Sugar, FSH, LH, Genetic Testing
Chris: Lots and Lots of Semen Analysis, Karyotype blood test, Vericocelectomy, Vascular Ultrasound

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? We have Severe Male Factor Infertility with a dash of PCOS

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) Reproductive Endocrinologist? We are seeing a Reproductive Endocronologist who we love: Dr. Maseelell at Reproductive Gynecology Inc.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? Pre-Natal Vitamins

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I charted for over a year and just recently gave it up. I feel like it was becoming toxic for me. I still use ovulation predictors to tell when I'm ovulating. But if you would like to look at my past charts here is a link: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/294e9b

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? No

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? As of right now, this changes sometimes by the second around here, we are planning on doing two rounds of IVF and if those don't work we will take it from there.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? This journey has not been an easy one and not all couples can make it through it together. We are lucky to have each other and are holding the faith that we will be blessed with a child soon. If I could give advice to any other couple just starting this, is stick together and talk as much to each other as you can. Communication was huge for us.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: Yes, this is my blog. I want to Thank everyone who has participated in the Spotlight on Infertility.

If you would like to be featured in the Spotlight on Infertility, please contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com with the above questions filled out. Also include a picture if you would like any pictures of you included in the post.

Spotlight on Infertility: Suzanne and Winston

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 Welcome Suzanne and Winston for today's Spotlight.

 

1. You and your significant others names  Suzanne and Winston

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 2 years

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? I am Post-IVF trying to decide what to do next while I am waiting for hormones to stabalize from my last miscarriage.

 

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Semen analysis, Several exploratory operations to look at my uterine walls, surgery for endometriosis, surgery for removal of uterine septum, lots of intrauterine ultrasounds for various reasons, etc.

 

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? Stage III Endometriosis, Septate Uterus, Decreased Egg Quality and Quantity.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) Reproductive Endocrinologist

 

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? Pre-Natal Vitamin Rx

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? No. I don't really ovulate anything - poor egg quality.

 

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? Yes - We did two IVF cycles. The first IVF (October 2009) ended in miscarriage at 10 weeks. The second IVF (June 2010) ended in miscarriage at 12 weeks.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? We are thinking about another IVF - but we need to run more uterine tests first. Other options we are open to include: egg adoption, embryo adoption, and baby adoption.

 

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? This process can be really difficult, but you have to try everything and exhaust all possibilities before you give up. For me, I feel that I will someday have a child - whether it be my own or adopted. Keep positive and don't get bitter towards the process.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: I sometimes find it difficult to blog about such personal matters, it was really hard to talk about my first miscarriage in a public forum - so we didn't tell anyone about the second IVF cycle. It didn't make it any easier to not share. I did participate in Project IF . . . http://suzandwinston.blogspot.com/2010/05/project-if-better-late-than-never.html

I'm so sorry about your recent loss and hope you guys find the right path in your journey. Good Luck!

 

Spotlight on Infertility: Lindsey and Justin

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I would like to introduce Lindsey and Justin. Like so many other of our Spotlights I can relate very closely to Lindsey and Justin and I know you will too. 

1. You and your significant others names: Lindsey and Justin

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? Since April 2009

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? FET (frozen embryo transfer) following failed IVF

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other?

Lindsey: I had tons of blood work, ultrasounds, an HSG, Saline Sonogram, etc. I have done everything except have a lap because we were moving to IVF.

Justin: Blood work, urologist work up, ultrasound and doppler to check for varicocele, SA, Morph 

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share?

Lindsey: PCOS with Insulin Resistance, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, Anovulatory, Low Progesterone Levels

Justin: Low motility, 3% morph (indicates IVF with ICSI needed)

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)

We have been seeing an RE for a year. In June we changed to a new RE, which we are SO happy with.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)?

Prenatal Vitamin Daily
4000IU Vitamin D Daily
400 CoQ10 Daily
81mg Aspirin

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link?

Not really. I know exactly what is going on with my body because I am closely monitored during my FET (as was I with my IVF and injectable IUIs).

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? 

No, never.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)?

We are currently doing an FET. We have 5 frozen embryos from our fresh IVF cycle. We are hoping to transfer 2 and still have enough embryos for another FET, this will depend on out thaw rate.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? 

I am a person who works very hard. I am successful because I work so hard for the things that I want. Infertility is extremely hard for me to deal with because I cannot win this fight by trying and giving it my all.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: http://waitingforourmiracle-daniel.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on Infertility: Genna and Chris

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Please give a warm welcome to Genna, Chris and Baby "Smudge" in their amazing story. She is a sweet, sweet person who gives a lot of support to other women struggling through TTC.

1. You and your significant others names: Chris and Genna

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? We tried to get pregnant for over 2 years

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, I UI , I VF)?
I am currently pregnant, but IVF with ICSI was our only option. We had to do 2 cycles, and at one point we had to consider donor eggs. If this cycle didn’t work, we would have gone ahead with donor eggs.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant
other? More testing than anyone would have thought possible. DH has had umpteen semen analysis done, a testicular ultrasound, a trans rectal ultrasound and genetic/hormonal blood testing. I had the typical workup including HSG, hormonal/genetic blood testing and numerous trans vaginal ultrasounds. After the first IVF
cycle was an abysmal failure, I then had additional blood work including a full blood clotting panel, repeat pregnancy loss panel and AMH level.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share?
We have significant Male Factor Infertility (with only 1.8mil total motile sperm at best count, less than 1mil at worst count) which was most likely caused by surgeon error during a bilateral hernia repair when Chris was a small child. I have also been diagnosed with the Homozygous C677T MTHFR mutation and with
my extremely low AMH level. I’ve also been diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure. As an added bonus, I’m also considered AMA because I’ll be 35 when the baby is born.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)
I stopped seeing my Gyn for reproductive care the day she told me to enjoy being
a newlywed and just relax about getting pregnant. I’ve been seeing the RE ever since. I found a new OB/Gyn when I got pregnant.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? Chris takes a multivitamin and 1200mg of fish oil daily. I take (in the morning) my Rainbow Light PNV + DHA, 5mg of Folic Acid and a
100mg of vitamin B6. In the evenings I take between 500-1000mg of Magnesium
(every other day I take the other dose) and 400iu of Vitamin D.

During my IVF cycles, I obviously took a lot more meds than that. During my last cycle, I was doing 4 injections daily (2 in the morning and 2 at night). All of the same supplements I take now, plus 2mg of Estrace twice a day and 81mg of baby aspirin daily. I stopped most of those medications at various points of my IVF cycle. However, the PIO (progesterone in oil), Estrace and Aspirin continued until 12 weeks exactly.

During my pregnancy, I've been taking Red Raspberry Leaf tea throughout the 3rd trimester to strengthen and tone my uterus and taking Evening Primrose Oil 1000mg twice a day since 36 weeks, to aid in softening the cervix.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting,
would you want to post your chart link? I was charting until my diagnosis. Putting away the thermometer was very freeing.

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? No.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working
with children)? We plan on using our mutual infertilities as birth control. And if by some miracle one of his 6 sperm manages to fertilize one of my ancient eggs, we’ll be happy to accept the miracle. If not, we’ll be back at the RE to try for #2 when our LO is 1 year old and weaned from breast milk.

11. I s there anything else you would like to tell us about you? Infertility is the most difficult thing in the world to deal with. You don’t know what it’s like to know that you and/or your husband is broken. People that judge just upset me more than they can know. The courts in this country have made reproduction a right. But society seems to think it’s a privilege and if you’re infertile, it’s your responsibility to adopt all of the children of the world.

When I hear people complaining about their children, it makes me cringe. Stop having them if you don’t want them. They take what they’re given so completely for granted. They have no idea. And being pregnant doesn’t make infertility go away. At 33 weeks pregnant, I’m still checking the toilet paper every time I wipe. Infertility lasts forever. I don’t know if we’ll ever be the same.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link
here: I have been blogging about my infertility on the Blooming Babies blog since it’s inception. My last entry there will be my birth story. This is a link to my entries: http://bloominbabies.blogspot.com/search/label/Dandelion%20Bud

Meet my baby (we’re pretty sure Smudge is the one on the left – the embryo wash ahead in growth and Smudge was an early implanter). The embryo on the right also implanted. Smudge was a twin for a short time. We lost the 2nd baby early on.

Thank you to Genna and Chris for sharing their story with us. I can't wait to see pictures of baby "smudge" soon. 

If you would like to be part of Spotlight on Infertility, please contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com. 

Spotlight on Infertility: Heather and Ben

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1. You and your significant others names  Ben and Heather

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? We are currently on our 12th cycle, 15th month.

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? I'm on my 2nd cycle of Clomid - 50 mg. I responded great the first cycle and O'd on CD 16. For the second cycle, I'm on CD 25 and don't have confirmed O yet (although I think I may have yesterday - we'll see).

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Ben had a semen analysis done. I've had bloodwork and an HSG. All results came back good.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? The main problem is that I either don't ovulate or ovulate really late... hence trying the clomid. If we don't get PG this cycle, we're going to do one more on 50 mg and then explore a higher dosage/trigger shot.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) Right now I'm just seeing my Ob/Gyn. My insurance doesn't cover infertility treatments, so she's doing everything she can first and coding it as an ovulation problem (which it is)

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? Just pre-natals.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I am charting and using OPKs. I also have been monitored w/ ultrasounds while on clomid. Here is my chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/29a91f

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? No.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? We haven't decided how far we will go in treatments. We would most likely try 1 or 2 IVF cycles. We would also consider adoption.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? Nope.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: Not yet - we're just starting to share with people our struggle.

Thank you to Heather and Ben for sharing their story. I hope we can report great news back about you two soon. 

If you would like to be part of Spotlight on Infertility, contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com. 

Spotlight on Infertility: Marla and Gerald

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 Welcome back to Spotlight on Infertility. We have been able to feature so many great couples lately. Today I'm bringing you another one. 

1. You and your significant others names-Marla and Gerald

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 21 cycles3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? injections

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Gerald has had a semen analysis (Normal), I have had an HSG and laproscopy surgery

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? During my HSG my gyn could only see 1 tube and during my ultrasounds they had a hard time finding my right ovary so during my laproscopy surgery my RE discovered I do not have a fully developed right tube or ovary. My left side does all the work. That being said after 20 cycles I would think I would be pregnant now since my left side is working. So my RE diagnosed me with "unexplained infertility"

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) RE

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? One a day prenatals

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I am charting but am also being monitored by the RE clinic

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? NO

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? We have already done 2 rounds of Clomid and 1 round of injections. This cycle we are trying to do another round of injections at a higher dose. Next cycle we will do injections with IUI (my insurance only covers 1 IUI.) If that does not work we will be doing IVF which insurance does not cover and is about $15,000 out of pocket so we are praying we do not have to do that route but will if necessary (our kid will just have to get a scholorship to go to college LOL)

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? This has been a very emotional journey for us. It is very difficult to hope evey month to get pregnant and fail. It is even harder having unexplained infertility because there is no reason why I'm not getting pregnant but we have not lost hope and know we will get pregnant eventually

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: no blog

 Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.

If you would like to share your story, please contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com.

Spotlight on Infertility: Betsy and Gerry

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  I'm so happy to bring you another one of my friends from an online chat board. She is so sweet and so supportive of other girls going through the same thing. 

1. You and your significant others names
Betsy and Gerry

 2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 11 months

 3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)?

We are moving on to IUI with Femara and a trigger shot. I did three rounds of Clomid with timed intercourse and one round of Femara with timed intercourse. I got pregnant on the second round of Clomid but miscarried very early on.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other?

My husband had a semen analysis, which came back within normal ranges, although the count was at the lower end of the normal range. I had tons of blood work, a 2-hour glucose tolerance test and an internal ultrasound. Because I had a natural, uncomplicated miscarriage, my doctor has not made me do an HSG yet.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share?

I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance. I was not regularly ovulating on my own. I take metformin for the insulin resistance.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)

I started off seeing my Ob/Gyn, but I am now seeing an RE.

 7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)?

I take a prenatal vitamin every day, and I am drinking POM juice. DH takes a variety of vitamins and also drinks POM juice.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link?

I charted for quite a while, but since I am now monitored by ultrasound, I've stopped. And ovulation predictors are not necessary when I'll be using a trigger shot.

 9. Have you ever been pregnant before?

Yes, I had a miscarriage at the beginning of August after my second round of Clomid.

 10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)?

We plan to keep trying with fertility treatments, and hope we don't have to move on to IVF. If we do, we will try as many times as we can financially handle. My family is extremely supportive, and they will help us as much as they can if the cost of treatment becomes too much for us. If we exhaust all avenues of having our own children, we will move on to adoption. We have both always wanted children, and we can't imagine our future lives without kids. We will make it happen one way or another.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you?

Our family includes our 15-month-old mutt puppy, Zehavah. She is a big goof, and she brings much-needed comedy relief to our lives!

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: I don't currently have one.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Betsy and Gerry.

Update: After 11 months of TTC, five medicated cycles (three on Clomid, two on Femara) and a miscarriage, I got BFP again. Right now everything looks good, and right now we are cautiously optimistic that this will be our take-home baby. We are hoping and praying that this baby sticks!

If you would like to be featured on the Spotlight on Infertility please email me at domesticprncs@gmail.com.

Spotlight on Infertility: Lauren and Brian

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 Welcome Lauren and Brian. Lauren is another special lady to me so please give her a nice big welcome. 

 
1. You and your significant others names:  Lauren and Brian

2. How long have you been trying to conceive?  We've been trying to conceive for 10.5 months and it's been a struggle since day one.  We originally planned on waiting until September of 2010, but upon finding out that I had potential PCOS in December that time line got pushed way up.

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)?  We've moved on to IVF.  We had 3 natural cycles, 1 with Clomid, and 1 with Clomid/IUI.  Then we pulled out the big guns.  We were losing Brian's insurance coverage, which covered infertility treatments 100%, so our RE gave us the choice...move on to IVF or try another IUI.  After hearing the pro's and con's of each one more time, we took our RE's advice and went with IVF.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other?  In December I had my annual appointment with my OB/GYN.  I told her I'd been off birth control pills since June and my cycles still weren't regular.  We talked about a few other issues (acne, dry scalp, oily skin) and she thought it may be PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), so I went for an ultrasound.  During the ultrasound they found what they thought was a tumor the size of a baseball on one of my ovaries.  In early February I went for a laparascopy to remove it.  Turns out it wasn't a tumor at all.  It was a giant endometrioma.  When I woke up, Brian had to tell me what they found.  I struggled to understand what he was saying...because he couldn't say Endometriosis.  That's right they found Stage III Endometriosis.  There are 4 stages of Endo, they only reason I hadn't been classified as a stage 4 was because I hadn't had any form of scarring yet...but I wasn't far off.  Later testing by my RE would confirm the presence of PCOS.

While my testing was ultra-invasive my husbands testing was as simple as being handed a cup for a little one-on-one time.  It took 2 tests of his semen to tell us he had low motility and low count.  His numbers were on the lower end of normal, but it was still a shock.  I kept asking myself, how could we both be broken?

 
5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share?  Oops I combined 4 and 5.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)  I'm seeing an RE at this time. 

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)?  I currently just take a PNV.  Brian takes nothing.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link?  I gave up charting for a few months.  It got to be too much.  I'm trying to enjoy our "break" time without thinking about our issues and TTC every minute of the day.

9. Have you ever been pregnant before?  IVF #1 was a success.  I was pregnant for 6 weeks before we lost our baby.  It was the most difficult time in my life.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)?  We will continue with our IVF treatments as soon as Brian's insurance coverage returns in January.  I've given myself 3 more tries.  If it don't have a baby after 4 rounds of treatment I am ready to adopt.  Brian isn't quite there yet.  He feels that treatment will work and won't think past that.  I'm not sure that he will ever be ready for adoption, which honestly scares me.  Not having children is not an option for me.  Brian knows this but as the constant optimist in our relationship, he truly believes we will have a child through IVF.
 
11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you?  This last year has been rough.  In one year we have both been diagnosed as infertiles, I've had surgery, I've been poked with more needles than I care to count, and I've lost a baby.  However, through it all Brian has been by my side.  He's been my rock, my shoulder to cry on, and has shared in my excitement/disappointment every step of the way.  TTC is a journey, ours just has a few bigger hills to overcome.  Infertility can cause problems in any strong relationship, but I am thankful ours is the other way around.  Brian and I are closer than ever.  I can't wait to one day be able to tell him that we have a baby on the way.  One that we will actually get to meet after 9 months.  Until then, we keep on going.  One day at a time.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here:  I do not.  Some days I wish I did, but not yet.

Lauren and Brian thank you so much for sharing with us. I can't wait to hear that you guys got to take home a baby soon.

Spotlight on Infertility: Chelsea and Aaron

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Welcome Chelsea and Aaron to Spotlight on Infertility today. These two people hold a special place in my heart. Chelsea is someone I met online through a chat board but has become a sounding board for me. I think we will always be kindred sisters.

1. You and your significant others names Chelsea & Aaron

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? Since February of 2009

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? We just began our first IVF cycle.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? I have had an HSG, bloodwork, and ultrasounds. Aaron has had 2 semen analyses.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? We have been diagnosed with male factor infertility due to little to no normal morphology and low motility with no forward movement.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) We are currently under the care of a RE for our IVF cycle.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? I take PNV's and Aaron is on male Fertile Aid. The RE and the urologist told us that it may not help him at all but it can't hurt, so we want to give it our best shot for IVF.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I stopped charting when we received the first semen analysis results because it was apparent that we were not going to get pregnant on our own. I did chart for about 9 months so I had a good idea of how my cycles were.

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? No

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? I am not looking beyond this IVF at this point. I am keeping that positive attitude.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? Infertility is a journey. You never really know what choices you will make or how you will react until you are faced with hard decisions. Never say never!

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: I post under the name "Sassy Bud" on the Bloomin' Babies blog- http://bloominbabies.blogspot.com/search/label/Sassy%20Bud

Please give Chelsea and Aaron a HUGE Good Luck for their upcoming IVF cycle. I just know that this is going to work and they will have their baby soon.

If you would like to be featured on Spotlight on Infertility, please email me at domesticprncs@gmail.com.

Spotlight on Infertility: Cheryl and Frank

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Welcome to Spotlight on Infertility. Please welcome Cheryl and Frank this week. I have "known" Cheryl for over a year through a chat board we both frequent. She is an excellent cheerleader for so many girls, including myself.

1. You and your significant others names Cheryl and Frank

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? We are on cycle 13

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? We are having natural cycles.

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? My husband has had a S/A and everything came back normal.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? No diagnoses.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) We have talked to my ob/gyn at month 10 regarding our frusteration and she ackowledged our concerns. She ordered a S/A for my husband and will start testing for female factors after we have been trying officially a year. Our year is here now and we are not pregnant. We have an appointment on October 18 to hopefully get this ball rolling.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? I am on prescription prenatal vitamins.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? We are using a Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor and also charting.

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? Nope.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? We have not hit this road yet. We are willing to do anything for a natural child.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? I am a NICU nurse and I work with infants/newborns every day while I am at work.  Life is just so unfair sometimes. He blesses some couples baby after baby, who have nothing to offer their child, and there are some couples who struggle month after month to get pregnant just once. I know someday I will have my turn, I just have to be patient.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: Nope

Good Luck Cheryl and Frank in your future. I hope this is not much longer for you two.

If you would like to be featured on Spotlight on Infertility, please email me at domesticprncs@gmail.com.

Spotlight on Infertility: Jessica and Austin

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Please welcome Jessica and Austin to the Spotlight on Infertility. Their journey is so similar to ours that it felt like I was reading a story about us.
 
1. You and your significant others names: Jessica and Austin Grimes

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? Since December 2009

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? Natural post Varicocele Surgery

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Me : 3 Day and 21 Day Blood Tests, U/S Monitored Cycle, HSG    The Hub: SA, Blood work and Genetic Screening, U/R Consult and Varicocele Surgery

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share?

The Hub has been diagnosed with severe MFI - we always knew Austin had a Varicocele ( he was diagnosed at about age 13). He was monitored by his primary U/R - it never grew, caused pain or caused his boys to shrink so he was told more than likely it would never cause a problem. So ... a few months into TTC, we asked the UR for a SA just to see. Well, the results were devastating - 1.5 million sperm per ML. We were told not to have surgery and that IVF was our only hope. We were referred to a great fertility UR in Frisco ( Dr. Jeffery Buch) and he gave us hope. He ran a hormonal panel and genetic panel on Austin - all came back normal. Based on these findings, Dr. Buch said the surgery could possibly really help us. Austin had a size 3 Varicocele on the left testicle and a size 1 on the right. He had both removed via microscopic surgery. Now we are in the waiting phase. First SA post surgery saw an increase in counts ( more than doubled) but still VERY low . We go back for the 2nd post surgery SA in November. Austin is also on Tamoxifen to see if that can give our numbers a boost. Fingers crossed!

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist)-  I am seeing my OB right now and Austin is under the care of a U/R that specializes in male infertility

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)?

Me: 2 Flintstones Vitamins :) 

The Hub: 1 Tamoxifen daily

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? I am charting monthly via Fertility Friend. I don't mind posting a link but I'm not sure how. Is this it ? http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2c1f89

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? Yes but no living children ( this was before my marriage)

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)?  We are planning to try naturally until Oct 2011. If by then we are still having a hard time we will explore IUI / IVF , Donor Sperm /IUI and/or adoption. We are taking this year to save up money so we can being intensive ART treatment if we need to......

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you?   Since beginning this journey I have helped expand my church's infertility ministry - Hopeful Hearts through The Village Church. This support group has been such an eye opener and a well of support. There are SO many couples dealing with this.

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: Nope

Thank you so much Jessica and Austin for sharing your story with us. You guys are such a cute couple and please keep us updated. I can't wait to hear you guys are expecting.
If you want to be part of the Spotlight on Infertility, please contact me at domesticprncs@gmail.com.



Spotlight on Infertility: Jana and Brian

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 Welcome back to Spotlight on Infertility. I hope your enjoying these stories as much as I am. I want to thank all the ladies who have "come out" and let us into their world.

Today I have another great success story. Jana is a great such a great person. I "met" her through an online chat board and her support has been invaluable to so many women. Jana and her husband, Brian, were blessed with a beautiful daughter this year. Kendall was born early due to pregnancy complications not related to infertility. Without further ado, welcome Jana....

 

1. You and your significant others names - Jana and Brian 

2. How long have did you try to conceive? We tried for 1 year without any luck.

3. What stage of Infertility were you in when you conceived (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? IUI and Clomid

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? Brian did an S/A and I had blood work done on day 3 of my cycle which tested for FSH, Estradoil, AMH and LH. I also had and ultrasound performed to determine my Basal Antral Follicle count. Then within that same cycle I also had an HSG performed between cycle days 6-12.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share your diagnosis? Jana's main issue was Age (we were both 36 at the time of seeking help), and an Arcuate Configuration of the Uterus was found during the HSG. This can make getting pregnant a wee bit tougher but that is the only issue with it, unlike other uterine abnormalities. Brian was determined to suffer from Mild Teratospermia. An explanation can be found here.

6. Were you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist). We went to an RE after giving it a full year and after working with an Endocrinologist for Jana's thyroid condition.

7. What supplements were you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? Jana took PNV's, DHA supplements and Fertile Aid for 6 mos. without luck. Brian also took Fertile Aid.

8. Were you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? Jana charted for 9 mos., used OPK's for a year and for the last 6 mos., used the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor.

9. Had you ever been pregnant before conceiving your child? I had a miscarriage when I was 21.

10. What were your plans for your future if treatment didn't work (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? It was all a wait and see game. Brian didn't want to spend the thousands of
dollars for IVF since it would have been all out of pocket for us.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you and your journey? We are so truly blessed and thankful to have our beautiful daughter today!

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: I'm currentlyworking on a blog about being parents to a preemie (this had NOTHING to do with our IF issues! Please don't let that scare you.) I was a blogger on Bloomin' Babies a long time ago under the name of Sunshine Bud. My posts can still be read here.

Jana and Brian, Thank You so much for sharing your story with us. I love seeing pictures of your beautiful daughter as she grows strong. Jana, you have been such a support to Christopher and I through this crazy journey. You'll never know how much that means to us. 

Spotlight on Infertility: Mary & Shane

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I've have loved reading everyone's story so far and I'm sure you are just going to love this next couple. They have a very interesting story to tell.

1. You and your significant others names: Mary and Shane

2. How long have you been trying to conceive? 2 ½ years

3. What stage of Infertility are you in (Natural, Clomid, IUI, IVF)? In a blind clinical trial so I might be on Clomid or Letrozole (a breast cancer drug that also helps woman to ovulate)

4. What procedures have you gone through to diagnose you and your significant other? When my husband and I decided that we would like to start a family I went in and spoke with my doctor, I was concerned because I knew my mother had a hard time conceiving she miscarried 3 times and had a tubal pregnancy. After telling the doctor my mom’s infertility stories, and then telling him that I only get a period once or twice a year and am concerned that I have always been “skinny” and fit and that no matter what I do I can’t lose weight he suggested that I get tested for PCOS. The results came back positive for PCOS. My husband was also tested but his results showed him to have super sperm, so luckily we only have to focus on “fixing” me.

During my clinical trials they ran tests to see if I had any tubal blocking so I had a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG test done as well. Although a very painful procedure, the results were fine my tubes are not blocked.

5. If you have been diagnosed, would you please share? They ran a variety of blood tests on me and my androgen levels were very high, they also use your family history and woman with PCOS have a lot of male features because of the high levels of testosterone. I also have the male pattern baldness as well as male facial and body hair. They also did a pelvic exam and a transvaginal ultrasound to see the cysts.

6. Are you seeing an Ob/Gyn or a RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist): With my clinical trials the doctors that run the trials are Ob/Gyns.

7. What supplements are you taking (PNV, Fertile Aid, Etc.)? I use to take PNV but my clinical advisor said taking two Flintstone vitamins with iron worked just as well.

8. Are you charting/using ovulation predictors/fertility monitor? If you are charting, would you want to post your chart link? No

9. Have you ever been pregnant before? Yes, I miscarried at 10 weeks.

10. What are your plans for your future (infertility treatments, adoption, working with children)? I’m currently on my last cycle in my clinical trial, if I do not conceive we are going to take a break from clinical trials and infertility drugs. I might go back on Metformin to control my weight as well until we’re ready to try another trial. I’m 26 and my husband is 25 if we do not conceive on our own by the time we are 35 then we plan on adopting.

11. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you? There is a lot I can tell, but I wouldn’t know where to start, but I’ll answer any questions anyone my have at m.hesser@hotmail.com (I know eek a hotmail account, I’m old school sorry)

12. Do you have a blog/website where you talk about your journey? If so, please link here: I am currently working on a blog of my journey and all the crazy things that have happened along the way such sitting in a waiting room about to confirm my miscarriage with three pregnant teenagers and one pregnant woman who I put out her cigarette right before she came in and opening up a magazine article that says Jesus loves you…seriously., holding my husband back from knocking out the doctor who decided not only to walk us thru the maternity ward of the hospital on the way to my D and C (a surgery to “clean me out”) but to stop and say “sorry you couldn’t make it this far” was a good idea. Or having the lady at the local dollar store (frugal tip dollar store tests work just as well as those expensive pretty box tests!) convinced that I work at Planned Parenthood and that there is nothing wrong with me coming in month purchasing ovulation kits and pregnancy test in bulk.

Until I have it up and running feel free to follow my on twitter @mhesser

Mary, thank you so much for sharing your story. Good Luck to you and Shane in your TTC Journey. I hope to hear good news from you soon.

If you would like to check out valid clinical trials in your area, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/.