Sunday, October 25, 2009

Secondary infertility (the background)

There have been some people in the recent past who have asked me when we are going to have another baby and there have been others who know what is going on who are afraid to ask me anything, so I decided that I am going to take the time to write down what is going on with us so people won't have to wonder anymore. Sorry if there is too much information in some areas and that it is so long.

As a lot of people know when we tried to get pregnant with Arwen and then (a short time later) with Jackson, each try only took us a couple months. So almost two years ago (in November) we decided to start trying for our third baby thinking this one too would only take a couple months. We were very disappointed when things did not go as we expected and planned.

We had been trying on our own for about seven months when I decided to call my doctor because I knew something was not right with my body. He was very nice and did a quite a few tests and found nothing out of the ordinary. He was pretty sure I was not ovulating on my own (since my periods were really far apart and irregular) so he started me on femara (a drug to induce ovulation). We also did some trigger injections so we would know exactly when I was going to ovulate. I did the femara for seven months with no pregnancy.

After the seven months my doctor then referred me to a fertility specialist. The specialist ran some more tests and could find nothing wrong. He then put me on clomid (another ovulation inducing drug) and it took about four months for me to have more than one follicle (this is what holds the egg) so that we could try insemination (cost us about 1500 for one month). We had been praying and fasting that it would work, but unfortunately it did not. It was a huge disappointment because we had spent all that money and everything seemed to be working properly in my body. After that expensive round and with all the extra hormones constantly in my body, we decided that I could not do this anymore at this time. It was too stressful for me.

We have been watching for ovulation on our own and we are pretty sure that I have been ovulating (really late) on my own the last two months, but I again started my period on day 45 this month. My body tends to play tricks on me and gives me signs of pregnancy so that I start to think that maybe I am and then wah-lah my period starts again.

It has been such a long, difficult trial for me. I think about it constantly and every month I am reminded that I am not pregnant. There have been some really good months (and/or days) where I am content and happy and there have been some really hard ones where I cry myself to sleep or I break down in the middle of the day.

10 comments:

Norris Family said...

Melissa I am so sorry. It is hard to find comforting words because I know that there really isnt anything conforting when confronted with infertility and the struggle and emotions it brings.
Just know that we think of you often and will continue to carry you in our prayers.
Love ya!

Jason and Elizabeth said...

Melissa, I'm so glad that you put your story up. I know that it has been hard for you, and I am so sorry. I love you so much, and I love how strong of a woman this trial has helped you become. I don't have any ideas what you are going through, but I am there for you anytime you need to talk. I am praying so hard for you. Just remember that the Lord loves you. This might be His way of helping you become the woman He wants to mold you in too. You are such an amazing and strong woman, and I couldn't ask for a better example to me. I love you so much!

Soper Family said...

Thank you for your post. I am so sorry for the struggles you are going through. I completely agree with what Liz said: The Lord loves you, has blessed you, and will continue to bless you. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Staci said...

I'm sorry to hear that Melissa! I'm sure it has been a rough 2 years & with not knowing what the future will bring, it continues to be a trial I wish I could lighten for you!

Just keep looking at that beautiful son & daughter you have & think how blessed you are to have them! They are adorable!!!!

I'll keep you in my prayers!

Kami Milliron said...

Melissa, I am so sorry to hear about this. I know nothing I say can make it all better but I hope that by knowing how much we LOVE YOU and your family, it might help a little. We will make you a constant reminder in our prayers - I promise : ) We are going to exhaust the Lord ! But seriously, I love you and you are one of my dearest friends. So to see you sad makes me sad. You have been such a strength to me through my experience with losing Elizabeth, so I want to be here for you.

Can we get together for lunch soon ? It's been too long friend : )

Emilee said...

I am sorry to hear about all you been going through. You have always been such a happy caring person, maybe the Lord has something really special planned for you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers and hope things work out for you.
Take Care!

heather said...

I know how hard it can be. We're on two and a half years of trying at this point -with one pregnancy that ended at nine weeks. Every month I am convinced I am pregnant, only for Mother Nature to deliver her "gift" right on time. It's totally frustrating & quite the emotional roller coaster. All I can say is: I hear you. It really sucks.

onehm said...

Melissa,
I know exactly how you feel. D & I went through many years of infertility...if you want the name of the chiropractor I went to that uses lasers, let me know! He made the difference for me, when the other doctors couldn't tell me squat. :)
Hope that the other things in your life are still going well! Maybe we can get the boys together soon...miss seeing you guys at church so much!!

Ashley

The Gardiner Gang said...

I don't know you and you don't know me--my family is in Bishop Hale's ward--but I came across your blog and read your post and really feel for you. I don't know what it's like to go through what you're going through and I don't think I could even handle it (maybe that's why the Lord hasn't given me that trial--but lots of other ones!).You must be a very special woman to endure what you are. The other thought that came to me is that Tiffany is having 2, maybe she'll need the help that you will be able to give her. I hope you stay strong and the Lord will bless you in His time. (I hope you didn't mind me reading your blog either:) )

Randee Gardiner

Michelle said...

Melissa,
I want to tell you how much I really love you and your family. I'm so proud of you and your strength. I love being such a close cousin and I love that we hangout often....but we are way overdue. I'm so thankful for you and the wonderful visits we have. You are such a patient, loving, kind, and super duper Mom. You are so spiritually intuned that I also believe there are more children for you. They will be so blessed when they are born to you and Richard. I love you and pray for you to not give up and to know you are not alone. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox