fertility testing

[mummy hopeful]

hi everyone ... after 12 months of unsucessful trying we have decided to undergo fertility testing! Does anyone have any info on what this involves? We are going to the Mercy for Womens Hospital in Vic, apparently they have a fantastic Infertility Clinic there ... I hate that word 'infertility'. Did you know thats what they refer to you as once you have been trying for more than 12 months!?! I would love to hear from any one who has had any testing done.

...trying to stay positive!

[Benandrewsmum]

Hi Mummy Hopeful

My husband and I tried to fall pregnant for nearly 18 months before our little miracle...let me talk you through the process that we went through...

After we had been trying for about 10 months I became quite frantic and made my first visit to my GP...she told me that they usually don't do any tests before the 12 month mark but I insisted that we get the ball rolling earlier. So at that point I had a blood test (at a certain point in the month...can't remember exactly when) to tell if I was ovulating.....they tell by the levels of hormones etc...that came back fine. At the same time my husband had a sperm test to tell if there were lots of little swimmers and what quality they were...that test also came back fine.

So at that point my GP referred me to a Fertility doctor (who also ended up being by OB). He was very positive because of my age (30) and was great in reassuring me. He put me on a drug called Chlomid that is meant to stimulate ovulation thus increase chances of conception. He suggested that we try that for 3 - 6 months. Some people get side effects similar to PMT but on a worse scale, I was lucky enough to get no side effects from the chlomid at all.

After 3 months still no luck...so back to the fertility guy we went. At this point he suggested that we either have a Laparoscopy (sp) or what they call a HSG. The Laparoscopy is a little op where they go in through the belly button and have a squiz around to see if all is OK...under a general anaesthetic. The HSG is done at the scan place and I likened it to a pap smear, but they inject dye into your tubes to make sure that there are no blockages and take a picture to check things out.

I opted for the HSG under my doctor's recommendation....mainly because he suggested that whilst the Laparoscopy could tell them more, it was an operation with a recovery period etc etc. The HSG was more invasive given that I was awake, however gave a clear picture that there were no blockages. However, I must point out that it was quite an awful procedure....but over quite quickly.

So after all that it appeared that there was nothing wrong with either of us (given no symptoms on endometriosis etc) so we decided to give the Chlomid another try before making the decision to go down the next stages, which from what I understand would have been injections and IVF.

We decided to try the Chlomid for another 3 months and see what happened...low and behold on the last month we fell pregnant!!

Now, just a few helpful tips on things that I think helped us:

1. I purchased a "Maybe Baby" (about $80) from the chemist which helps you to tell exactly when you are ovulating....just a saliva test thingy.

2. I had a very stressful job which I truely believe contributed greatly to us not falling pregnant...so I decided to resign and take a break.....left work in the July and fell pregnant in the August.

3. I know it is a very hard thing to do....but....I really tried to forget about it and just get on with my life.....beleive me, I know this is such a hard thing to do, but I think it does help!

I hope this info helps.....I really feel for you, as I know what a stressful time this will be for you.....just keep believing that your miracle will happen soon and make sure you find yourself a feltility specialist that you have faith in.

Cheers

DP

[Marcy]

My Hubby and i have finally decided to give our 15mth old boy a bro or sis i did have a fertility problem prior to my pregenancy with my son, doctor says shouldn't have any problems next time i've been off the pill for about 6months and we just casually were tring now we do really want to give him a bro/sis. I really do want another baby every month is really upsetting when they start (periods).Any suggestions :)

:p me 28
;) hubby 34
:cool: 15 mths

[mummy hopeful]

DP - thank you so much for your wonderful advice! The unknown is always a little scary! Hopefully all will work out well and my little miracle will be on it's way soon.
Thank you again
D