Fertility Update!

Dear Family! (And friends),


As you all know, Danny and I have been trying for what seems to us like forever to have a child. After months of trying to get in to see a doctor about fertility treatments, reasons why we haven't been able to conceive, and options we might have, I finally got an appointment. On Ocotber 6th, Danny and I went in for a consultation. This basically was an appointment for the doctors to ask us how long we have been trying, how long during that time Danny has been deployed, and whether or not we 'know how to time intercourse.' After they clearly realized we knew what we were doing, they put in for a referral to see a specialist. One catch, I needed to get blood work done before my appointment with my specialist. When you get blood work done for fertility testing, you have to wait for certain days of your cycle, and mine are crazy, so I never knew when that day would come, where was the light at the end of the tunnel!

On the 19th (our anniversary, go figure!) I got a phone call from the specialist, saying "You have a referral, make an appointment with us!" I told them how my Primary Care Manager (pcm) had told me to wait for my blood work to be done before making the appointment, and they told me nonsense!! and made the appointment. So at 10:20 today, I had my appointment.

I go in, and play 20 questions with the doctor. After 30 minutes of q&a, he decides I'm the most well informed patient he has ever had, and starts me on clomid. He also checked my ovaries for swelling, and booked me for an ultrasound to make sure that I don't have any abnormalities on my ovaries and to make sure that the huge cyst that family practice ignored 10 months ago has resolved itself. He told me my right ovary still feels a little swollen, but not huge, so that's a good thing.

For those who don't know, or aren't sure what clomid is, let me explain. In the beginning of the month, a woman's body produces FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) to produce a follicle or cyst where the egg will be released from the ovary. If you estrogen levels aren't high enough, there won't be very much FSH in your system, and you won't ovulate, and you won't produce a lot of progesterone at the end of your cycle either, so even if my some holy miracle sperm swam all the way to the ovary and fertilized an egg, your body wouldn't be prepared for pregnancy and wouldn't keep it. Clomid blocks estrogen receptors, and kicks your estrogen production into over drive, causing extra estrogen to produce and basically kick starting the ovaries to ovulate, and produce all these hormones that are necessary.

I hope that all makes sense to everyone. Any questions feel free to email and ask!! Thank you guys all for your prayers and positive energy you have put into the universe for us. We are thankful to all of you. Keep praying, though, we're not pregnant yet!! :) Thank you!!!!

Just to keep you guys posted, fertility drugs have a reputation for producing multiples. So watch out! :)


Love,
Nessie & Danny