Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Where Do I Start?

Well, my name is Kim, and I'm 27. I started dating my husband, Manuel, when we were both 14, and got married when we were 20 (in 2004).
When I was a Sophomore in High School, I was diagnosed with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I was told at that point that I would have a hard time getting pregnant when I was ready, but I would just need to take a pill, and I would get pregnant with no problem. Well, my periods have always been irregular, since I got them at the early age of 11. I knew that "not-preventing" wouldn't work very well as I would go anywhere from a few months, to a year and a half without getting my period. Finally in May of 2006 I decided to see my OB and talk to him about trying to conceive. He started me on 50mg of Clomid, and I didn't ovulate. He gradually upped it to the max dose of 150mg, but it never worked. I quickly got anxious, and found a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I started driving an hour away multiple times a week at 5:30 in the morning so this specialist could watch my cycle while on Clomid and do an IUI when I ovulated. It worked!!! I got pregnant and we were so happy. I was lucky to get weekly ultrasounds to watch my baby grow. I went for my 9-week ultrasound right before going to Las Vegas, and baby was good. They even told me that the next week I would be able to see it moving around. I could hardly wait to get back from vacation to see this. Well, I went and my baby didn't have a heart beat anymore. I was in denial. I just couldn't believe it. My husband wasn't with me, so I just sat in my car and cried. I don't even know how I made it home. I had a D&C the next day, February 7, 2007. Chromosome testing showed a normal female fetus. No answers.
When we got the go ahead, we tried again. A few cycles later, I still didn't get pregnant. We decided to try IVF. We went through two cycles of this, and I never got pregnant. I decided I needed a break. This was too much of a roller coaster ride, and very tough on my body. I just couldn't do it anymore.
A little while later, I found an RE closer to home. I didn't want to go through IVF again, so we went the Clomid/IUI route again. A few cycles later, I still wasn't pregnant. I just couldn't handle it. I had a dose of Clomid leftover from my first RE, and I decided to take it on my own. I got pregnant! I just couldn't believe it! I was so nervous telling the Drs about me self-medicating. They didn't give me a hard time, and they found a strong heartbeat, and released me to my OB. My OB then did an U/S and found such a weak heartbeat at about 50bpm and informed me I was losing the baby. I lost this baby at 8 weeks and 5 days. How could this be? What was wrong with me? I had a D&C on November 18, 2008, just 3 days before my birthday. Chromosome testing showed a normal male fetus.
I couldn't handle it anymore. I needed a break. In May of 2010, we decided we would try again. I found yet another RE because I did not like my 2nd one, and the 1st one was too far away. This RE was wonderful. She was very caring, and determined to get me a baby. She did further testing on me, and determined that I'm compound heterozygous for the MTHFR gene mutations on A1298C and C677T. This puts me at a higher risk for blood clots and neuro tube defects, as my body can't process Folic Acid properly. We did two cycles of injectables (Menopur) and both times we got a negative, period, then a positive. Both times, about a week later, the tests were negative. She doesn't know what this was. Maybe a Chemical Pregnancy or a cross-reaction from the medication. Since it happened twice, I'm thinking a cross-reaction. Then, I started a new cycle December 25, 2010. To my disbelief, I got a positive test on January 20, 2011!!! I still find it hard to believe. Everything was going great. I "graduated" from my RE, and started seeing my OB. After multiple Ultrasounds, I didn't even have to go weekly anymore! I got a doppler, and at 15 weeks, I was able to find the heartbeat myself. I would listen to my baby at least once a day. I don't think there is a baby on earth more wanted than this baby. May 7th we were going to find out what we were having, and then we were going on a shopping spree!!!

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