My dh(dear husband) and I were married in 1986 after dating 7 years since hs. For a while we tried not to get pregnant. In about 93 we stopped trying not to get pregnant, in 96 we decided to try to get pregnant, when that didn't work... we sought help, first from my ob/gyn. She diagnosed me with fibroids and before doing a myomectomy tested husband's counts. Turns out he was low/average.
So in 1997(age 34) I had a myomectomy and 6 fibroids were removed. In 1998, hubby had surgery to fix variole vein. Still nothing. In late 99/early 2000 had very early mc and then positive beta(pregnancy test) with immediate ultra sound that showed no fetal pole so blighted ovum. Went from thrilled to despondent in an hour. Had d/c.
Good news is that I was pushed to RE by ob/gyn who said "tick, tick, tick" to me. I thought 37 was still young. I was later to learn how we have all been tricked into believing we can concentrate on our careers for 15 - 20 years and then have babies easily. Not true.
Went to RE in Atlanta. Started routine bloodwork although they knew alot from ob/gyn. Had 2 weeks of tests scheduled. They called day 5 to cancel the rest and set up a "consult". On memorial day weekend 2000, in my RE's office, decorated with black balloons for his 40th birthday, I was told that I was unlikely to conceive on my own because my FSH was 13.3. I was also told, by an ethical, practical and kind RE that IVF was out for me, at least at their clinic, because one bad reading indicates poor egg quality and they wouldn't waste my money nor my hope.
They agreed to try 3 IUIs and then we could go somewhere else for IVF or go to donor egg.
On July 1st, went in for IUI, after finding the high FSH board and learning about wheatgrass, green tea, vitamins, rest, de-stressing, baby aspirin and other holistic remedies. My RE didn't endorse but said they wouldn't hurt so he humored me. I even bought a fertility statue for my bedside. I had done 50mg clomid and all the hollistics mentioned above. Had four follicles.
Thirteen days later, took beta test and it was positive. Spotted for 3 months. 10 months later gave birth at 41 weeks to beautiful son, March 27, 2001 at age 38.
Ninety days after birth check up, FSH was 9.9. Yippee.
In September, decided to go back to try again. Started on clomid 50 mg. Again four follicles. Small fibroid. Nothing major. Am pregnant again with ds(dear son) number 2, due June 4, 2003. Actually conceived twins but only one made it.
I don't believe in the 1% rule. I don't believe that one bad reading is a death knoll. I don't believe that 13.3 on a 10 point scale is any worse than marginal.
I do believe women should start trying to conceive or monitoring their FSH earlier on in their lives and be educated as to its relevance. I don't believe that the middle class should be denied fertility coverage by insurance mandates, but I also know that I would sell everything I own to be my son's mother, happily.
Finally, I don't believe that my path is the only path to motherhood. I believe in DE and adoption. When a child knows you as mommy, or calls you "mommy" on the baby monitor at 3am, genetics have so little to do with it. So I am fortunate and thankful.
I hope that my telling my story finds someone out there that just go their diagnosis and fills them with hope and determination to take control and take action.
And to those still fighting the fight, that have been through 10 IVFs and still try, God Bless you. I pray for you regularly.
Good luck to all and Baby Dust.
Maggie
Mom to ds/born 3/27/01 after 13.3 fsh Clomid IUI
expecting d/s 6/4/03 clomid IUI
myomectomy 97
dh variole vein surgery
2 m/c, 1 d&C after blight ovum.
Posted on Jan 2, 2003, 9:35 AM from IP address 216.77.121.2