Within 3wks were sat in front of yet another registrar, who was telling us about how the clinic worked. He would see us initially and ascertain the best course of action, he would then send us for more up to date and in depth tests, call us back for a follow up appointment and discuss our options.
It finally felt like we were talking to someone that knew what they were talking about. Someone you don't feel like you could do their job better just from researching from books and Google!
He checked my weight and height and confirmed that my BMI was good.
He reviewed all of our tests and and the dates that they were performed. He wanted us both the have bloods taken that day, as luckily I was on cycle day 3 and I knew my hormones were at a level they like to assess.
Joey was asked to book in for a detailed semen analysis, where they check the sperm's viability through a membrane swim test that mimics the uterine environment. Sounded promising, especially as Joey's functions were finally getting some attention in this consultation.
I was asked to book in for an ultrasound scan around cycle day 10 that would check my ovaries for any abnormalities and also indicate the activity going on in each of them.
This was all in November, and other than Joey's semen analysis all tests were done. We decided to take a break over Christmas, and so booked his final test on for January 2012.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
2nd Referral
The GP was nice, and PREGNANT. FFS, everyone is pregnant!!!
She didn't look at Joey the entire time, which pee'd him off, and I could sense this by his sighing and twitching next to me.
I tried to look at him when she was talking to me, you know, to encourage her gaze, but no, she wasn't looking at him!
Finally, he asked a question about whether he should be due any checks, considering all tests except the semen analysis had been performed on me. She said "No. We've done all we can with you. The best thing for us to do now is to refer you <looked at me again to complete her sentence> to [another] hospital. It is important to have your Diabetes under control, as this can affect things."
I wasn't sure if she'd read the notes properly and thought that I was diabetic instead of Joey, but no, she just didn't want to acknowledge him. I knew my ears were about to get a bashing when we left the surgery!
She didn't look at Joey the entire time, which pee'd him off, and I could sense this by his sighing and twitching next to me.
I tried to look at him when she was talking to me, you know, to encourage her gaze, but no, she wasn't looking at him!
Finally, he asked a question about whether he should be due any checks, considering all tests except the semen analysis had been performed on me. She said "No. We've done all we can with you. The best thing for us to do now is to refer you <looked at me again to complete her sentence> to [another] hospital. It is important to have your Diabetes under control, as this can affect things."
I wasn't sure if she'd read the notes properly and thought that I was diabetic instead of Joey, but no, she just didn't want to acknowledge him. I knew my ears were about to get a bashing when we left the surgery!
Monday, 1 August 2011
Summer 2011, Isn't Trying Fun
We welcomed our quest of conceiving naturally with confidence, and even thought that May held high hopes until the ladyfriend (period) made an appearance.
Then June, then July, August and September. We'd had two holidays and relaxed no end, but still nothing was happening.
We'd even bought predictor kits, started analysing my cervical mucus (from my pants, as I could not quite get into the habit of using my fingers during a basic toilet visit), and targeted those days with intent. I'd started having acupuncture sessions, which seemed to regulate my cycle to 28days each month, rather than the '28, 29, 28, 30, 28...' I was used to. It also reduced by PMT symptoms. I was less irritable and my breasts weren't as swollen and tender.
I convinced Joey to start, as the practitioner advised that they could help with blood flow to the testes. "Anything was worth a try", said Joey.
He saw great benefits too, from stress reduction to better blood glucose control for his diabetes.
But during all of this, we still weren't pregnant. We were still adamant that the romance and excitement was important and we drew the line at charting my temperature every morning. Besides, I knew I'd forget and use the bathroom before realising I'd moved.
Then during October, I was having one of those 'Why us?' days, and for those of you that have been on this journey will know those all too well.
I text Joey, who was at work, and he suggested we go back to see the GP. I instantly dismissed the idea, wallowing in self pity and eating my 7th 2-fingered kitkat. But then I thought, 'what else have we got to lose?'. So I booked in to see a different GP....
Then June, then July, August and September. We'd had two holidays and relaxed no end, but still nothing was happening.
We'd even bought predictor kits, started analysing my cervical mucus (from my pants, as I could not quite get into the habit of using my fingers during a basic toilet visit), and targeted those days with intent. I'd started having acupuncture sessions, which seemed to regulate my cycle to 28days each month, rather than the '28, 29, 28, 30, 28...' I was used to. It also reduced by PMT symptoms. I was less irritable and my breasts weren't as swollen and tender.
I convinced Joey to start, as the practitioner advised that they could help with blood flow to the testes. "Anything was worth a try", said Joey.
He saw great benefits too, from stress reduction to better blood glucose control for his diabetes.
But during all of this, we still weren't pregnant. We were still adamant that the romance and excitement was important and we drew the line at charting my temperature every morning. Besides, I knew I'd forget and use the bathroom before realising I'd moved.
Then during October, I was having one of those 'Why us?' days, and for those of you that have been on this journey will know those all too well.
I text Joey, who was at work, and he suggested we go back to see the GP. I instantly dismissed the idea, wallowing in self pity and eating my 7th 2-fingered kitkat. But then I thought, 'what else have we got to lose?'. So I booked in to see a different GP....
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Further Tests, Looking Good
Joey was naturally upset to learn the news of the semen analysis, but we were thankful that my tubes showed no sign of damage.
We were advised by the GP to run further semen tests in 3mths time, as sperm grow and mature to a 3mth cycles. Of course, I had been researching what we could do to increase the quality of the little seeds, even though we had been taking Pregnacare vitamins for well over 6mths and Joey had swapped smoking for patches. Even drinking alcohol and caffeine was limited.
We got the next test back and the results were great. The count had gone up 8 to 13million and now they were 18 million. The GP said that there was no reason we could not conceive naturally.
We were ecstatic. We celebrated with our first glass of champagne for months!
We were advised by the GP to run further semen tests in 3mths time, as sperm grow and mature to a 3mth cycles. Of course, I had been researching what we could do to increase the quality of the little seeds, even though we had been taking Pregnacare vitamins for well over 6mths and Joey had swapped smoking for patches. Even drinking alcohol and caffeine was limited.
We got the next test back and the results were great. The count had gone up 8 to 13million and now they were 18 million. The GP said that there was no reason we could not conceive naturally.
We were ecstatic. We celebrated with our first glass of champagne for months!
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