I am officially REPRODUCTIVELY CHALLENGED

[yayamommy]

Yuck! Life got crazy and I am barely able to keep up with my blog, so I am feeling guilty for posting this today, because I haven't exactly been available to others lately.  Something I will quickly remedy.  However, I feel I must speak up before I freak out completely.  Even though I got a clean bill of health from the doc, we have to start infertility procedures.  Holy cow.  This seems really weird--especially since I had no problem getting preggers with Sophie. 
So, here's my question:  Has anyone had a test called an HSG or a Hysterosalpingogram done and more importantly, can you share your experience with me?  I also have to start taking clomid-so any info on this one would be appreciated.   

Is this karma for being a bad moderator?  I swear I will start posting more often.  I certainly need some support on this.  My emotions are all over the place and I am already starting to pick on my poor hubby.  Now if my dummy period would just get here--so I can start getting all of this stuff over with!

Thanks in advance,
Susie

[Happy Momma]

Hi Susie- glad to see you posting again.  I disappeared for a while too, but everyone has taken me right back.

I used clomid when I was trying to get pregnant.  I used it for three rounds through my regular ob-gyn, which did not work and then they sent me to see an infertility specialist.  This was several years ago so I don't remember everything--- The infertitily specialist did the HSG test on me.  I had to take some motrin before going in- they inserted some dye into my uterus(kind of felt like a pap smear or cramps with your period).  Then they take some x-rays to see if there is any blockage in the falopian tubes.  One side of mine was blocked.  In addition to that I had polycystic ovaries.  I can't remember if that diagnosis was made at that time or a different time.

We wanted to wait on having surgery since one side was clear and decided to see if we could get pregnant.  I went through several rounds of infertility shots that my hubby had to give me.  You know the ones where some people end up with 4 or 5 kids at once.  Of course it was very carefully monitored- I had blood work done every single day while I was getting those shots.  The eggs would mature but I would never ovulate on my own, so once the eggs were mature I would go in and have an HCG shot to make me actually ovualte.  After a few rounds it didn't work so we decided to have the surgery to clear out my fallopian tubes.  The infertility specialist did a laparoscopy (sp???) and I had some endometriosis, which he cleared out. 

The next month I got pregnant without medication, but later miscarried.  I didn't go back to the infertitilty specialist b/c I decided to go back to school to work on my masters degree.  Wouldn't you know it- I got pregnant again.  But, again I miscarried.

I decided it was time to go back to the infertiltiy specialist after the 2nd miscarriage.  I wasn't ready to go through the shots again so we decided to try clomid again for a few rounds.  Again- the eggs would mature but I would never ovulate.  So, once the eggs were mature I would go in and have an HCG shot so that I would ovulate.  I believe it was the 3rd try and I got pregnant. 

There had also been tests done due to my miscarriages that determined my thyroid levels were out of wack and I didn't have enough progesterone to carry a pregnancy.  So, I had to take medication for my thyroid and my progesterone which were very carefully monitored.

This entire process was several years and was far from easy.  But today, because of that infertility specialist- I am watching my almost 2 year old playing in the living room right now with my hubby.

Please keep us updated and let me know if you have any questions at all.  I'm happy to answer any!

[emsplace]

Susie,
Try this site:
www.conceptionstore.com or www.mylittlebean.com

These are two great sites in helping women conceive with reproductive issues.

I had a uterine biopsy and hsg... and I have one son through IUI.
I finally had him at 40. I'm not sharing more online... but if you have specific questions, I'd be happy to answer offline.

Hugs,
em

[yayamommy]

Oh thank you both so much!  Em and Melanie you are so sweet to respond so quickly.  This sounds like a very gruelling and extremely emotional road...I am preceeding with caution.  Thanks again for sharing! Both of you are very strong and very brave to tackle it all--and I'm thrilled that you both have families as the ultimate result. 
I'll keep posting as I go through-and I will be sure to keep asking questions.  I already have lots of info that my doc has failed to provide like taking motrin before hand and bringing pads with me--what goes in, must come out.  I never would have thought of that.   
Again, thank you. I appreciate your support--truly. 
Oh, and Melanie thanks for telling me you were gone from the boards for awhile....I've been feeling the worst sense of guilt-especially now that I need so much help!

Susie