How does a couple get to the point of needing to do IVF?

Well for my husband and I it started back after we got in engaged in June of 2015.  We talked about whether or not he would be up to the idea of having another child. I assumed the answer would be no, because he has a son that he raised mostly on his own, that is now in his early 20's. To my surprise, he said yes. So the journey started.

We decided that after we where married we would cease taking the steps to prevent a pregnancy and just let nature take it course. We where married in January 2016 and by June 2016 nothing had happened and I started noticing some changes in my monthly cycles like the time between cycles (28 days some months other months 45 days) and then the consistency (light some months heavy other months). I decided in August  it was time to reach out to a doctor to see if there was a problem that was preventing us from conceiving. Plus in the world of reproductive medicine my age of 36 is consider pretty old.

 After I met with a local OB-GYN doctor, he decided to run a series of test.The first test was blood work that test hormone levels which all came back normal. I found the following information on www.babymed.com to help explain what hormones where tested.

The hormonal testing is referred to as "cycle day 3 (CD3) blood work."
 
Generally, the following hormones are measured:

• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the egg maturation process. High day 3 FSH levels are associated with diminished ovarian reserve.
• Estradiol (E2) - is produced by the ovary and levels should be low in the early part of the menstrual cycle. High day 3 levels may indicate a cyst in the ovary or diminished ovarian reserve.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - is produced by the pituitary gland and levels are increased before ovulation. A LH/FSH ratio of greater than 2:1 or 3:1 may be diagnostic of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
• Prolactin - Both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are necessary for ovulation. If, for example, hyperlactinemia is caused by a prolactionoma, a tumor in the pituitary gland, then this could interfere with the secretion of LH and FSH. Any change in LH and FSH can cause ovulation and menstrual abnormalities. The normal range for hormone levels will vary between laboratories. 

 My husband completed a semen analysis in October to see, if he had any fertility issues, which he did not. The testing for me continued with a 2nd test called Hystrosalpingoram (HSG) commonly referred to as a dye study test. The test was performed in October but was unable to be completed due the doctor diagnosing me with a narrow cervix which caused the thin tube to not be able to be inserted to perform the test. The following information explains what  HSG testing is and was found on www.webmd.com

• A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test. It looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. During the test, a dye (contrast material) is put through a thin tube. That tube is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray (fluoroscopy) as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes. The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes. They can also show a blockage that would prevent an egg moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and joining (fertilizing) an egg. The test also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching (implanting) to the uterine wall.

 For the 3rd test I had two options to choose from: I could retry the HSG test with medication that would force me into labor and dilate my cervix, but this option may or may not work. The other option was to have the HSG test done as Laparoscopy surgery. Laparoscopy surgery was the option I choose, because it was guaranteed to work. The surgery allowed the doctor to make and incision in my belly button and above my pelvic area. The lower incision allowed the HSG test to be performed while the belly button incision allowed a camera to be sent into my uterus to see if there where any issues with my ovaries, tubes, etc. By the end of the test the doctor had determined that I had one Fallopian tube completed blocked and another almost completed closed. The doctor was also able to correct the narrow cervix issue by removing scar tissue while I was under anesthesia. I found a  pictures online to give you an idea of what the surgery looks like. 

Now that we knew the problem was with me, we where referred to a specialist in Virginia. In December we went for our first consultation and the news which was no surprise by now, was that if we wanted a child in our future the best option was to conceive with the IVF process. I imagine you are problem thinking . . What is the IVF process? In simple terms its where eggs are retrieved from my ovaries and them mixed with my husband sperm in a laboratory to at a later date be placed back in my uterus in hopes that the new formed embryos will stick to the uterus walls and grow into a baby. At my age, we have a 50-60% chance of success.

We chose to move forward with the IVF option and the process begins in February. Stay tuned to learn exactly what it likes to go through IVF.