InfertilityWorkshop.com
a workshop in fertility and getting pregnant naturally
Since 1998 Infertilityworkshop.com has helped numerous couples
overcome infertility NATURALLY.
Infertility drugs, treatments, clinics and pills are a thing of the past
for those with male or female infertility.
Natural fertility methods include herbal supplements, natural food,
products and treatments; all natural
ways to increase fertility. Love your baby before
conception. Healthy couple,
healthy baby.
Information
to nourish your mind and the supplements and products to nourish you;
ultimately your baby.
Hello All,
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please visit our blogging site instead for the most uptodate version of this page:
Forgive me--I have not been active on the list for quite some time. I knowthere are many new members and I welcome you all. You are in the right place!After a painful struggle with infertility and repeat miscarriages, I am now 33weeks pregnant and 39 years old today. I'd like to share my story with you allin hopes of inspiring and/or helping you through this painful part of yourlives.
In 1994, at age 33, I became pregnant for the first time. At 9 weeks, I wentin for a routine u/s and there was no heartbeat. Five days later, I miscarriedand had a D&C immediately afterwards.
I was devastated and waited the recommended three months before trying to getpregnant again. It took us nine long months to conceive, and in July, 1996, myson was born.
My son was 2 1/2 when we started TTC again. I had no problem getting pregnant(conceived the first month and then again the second month of trying), but I hadtwo miscarriages: one in 5/99 (at 5 weeks) and one in 9/99 (at 10 weeks). Thesecond one was identical in circumstance to my very first m/c, although thistime I did not let my body miscarry. U/S confirmed that the fetus was not viable(these are the cold & clinical terms I was given while laying on the table,expecting to see my baby's heartbeat), and I had a D&C two days later.
In October 99, I began temping and a dear friend gave me the book"Taking Charge of Your Fertility". This began many months ofchart-keeping and analyzing, during which time I became intimately familiar withthe patterns of ovulation and my cycles. I quickly learned that I had a shortluteal phase.
In November 99 (6 weeks later), we began treatment with an RE. It was a timeof degradation and humiliation for me. Unfortunately, the RE I'd chosen hadabsolutely zero bedside manner and did not have any interest in a partnershipwith me. I came to his office as an informed patient, and he ridiculed mypursuit of knowledge. Still, at age 37, I was impatient to get some answers anddid not want to take the time out to find another doctor.
For as long as I can remember, my cycles have been quite short and have grownshorter as I've grown older. They have lasted anywhere from 21 days to 27 days,averaging about 25 days in length.
I underwent extensive testing, including a complete blood work-up with blooddraws done at various days in my cycle to obtain hormone levels; screening formore than 12 antibodies; thyroid levels; testing to see if I was perimenopausal.I underwent a HSP (an invasive test where dye is injected into the uterus andfallopian tubes through the cervix and x-rays are taken), which revealed onlyvery minimal blockage in my fallopian tubes. DH had a sperm analysis, whichrevealed a high count and minimal abnormalities. Two months in a row, I wasscheduled to undergo an endometrial biopsy--this was the only way that thedoctor would officially confirm a diagnosis of short luteal phase (despite mytemping and short cycles to prove the diagnosis). Both times, I started myperiod before the test could take place.
I was diagnosed with low progesterone (a level of 5 ng when it should havebeen >15), and the RE put me on Clomid (50 mgs./day for 7 days) the firstmonth, in order to "make a better quality egg". I was completelyagainst taking Clomid from the first time I walked into the office, but foundmyself intimidated and took it anyway. I struggled with the fact that Clomidmade more eggs and up to that point, I wasn't having any problem gettingpregnant, just staying pregnant.
Two weeks later, I went in for an u/s (I had a total of about 5 vaginal u/sduring two months of treatment) and was found to have produced three eggs! I wasterrified at the thought of multiples, but the doctor was simply thrilled withhimself! He injected me with HCG (I think) to stimulate ovulation and instructedme to "have sex" 36 hours later. When I did not conceive that month, Iwas so relieved! I did find out (after yet another vaginal u/s) that the Clomidhad caused me to develop an ovarian cyst, so the dr. suggested I take a monthoff of the Clomid before starting again. It was at that point that I finallyfollowed my gut feelings and quit receiving medical treatment.
In December of 99, I found Brenda's website. I soaked up all of theinformation shared by the many wise and wonderful women on the list, as well asBrenda's comprehensive wealth of information. I immediately started taking Vitex,Wild Yam, and FUR to help balance my hormones, and I began using Renewed BalanceProgesterone Cream. I also started acupuncture treatments, began daily juicing(carrots/apples/beets), drank tofu shakes every AM for breakfast (tofu, flaxseedoil, bee pollen, fruit, nutritional yeast), started drinking Red Raspberry leaftea several times weekly, and made some radical dietary changes. I was alreadyoff of red meat, but at this point I began buying strictly organic produce, cutout refined & processed foods as well as artificial colors, caffeine, sodas,high fats, most dairy. I also began sleeping with an eye mask except duringmid-cycle, to help regulate my ovulation.
Over the next few months, I did some educated experimenting and tried variousherbs including Black Cohosh, but I always stuck with the Vitex and FUR. Ilearned from the acupuncturist that my feeling myself ovulate each month was NOTa positive thing as I'd always thought (I thought I was really in touch with mybody), and soon I noticed that I was not feeling those familiar side twingeseach month. The quality of my menses changed from thick, clumpy blood to brightred, non-clotty blood. My cycles lengthened by a couple of days, and I saw thisas a positive sign. I no longer felt the traditional weepy, grumpy emotions thatI used to feel in the days just before my period would begin, and the backachesand cramps of CD1 and CD2 were also nearly nonexistent.
In February 99, I began taking Dr. Christopher's Adrenetone, Changease and Nu-Fem.I'd also been drinking Barleygreen daily.
I treated monthly with an Applied Kinesiologist from March 99 until July 99.He did muscle testing and prescribed various herbs based on his diagnosis. Heconsistently treated me for adrenal fatigue among other things. During variousmonths, I took astragalus, licorice, dong quai, black cohosh, burdock root, sawpalmetto, myrrh gum, partridgebery along with other supplements and the Dr.Christopher's formulas that I continued to take (and the Vitex).
In July 99, I again started taking FUR. My ND (naturopath) also suggestedthat I try taking Motherwort, so I did. I also did some emotional work with theApplied Kinesiologist; mostly some powerful visualization relating to clearingmyself of my feelings of powerlessness (a central theme in my life which wascertainly accentuated by the infertility). In June 99, after ten months oftemping every day, agonizing over every tenth of a degree up or down, analyzingevery minute change in my charts, I decided to put the thermometer away and turnmy fate over to the universe. I had let TTC completely rule my life: I ate,breathed, slept and talked of little else and I was in great turmoil. I had tofind a way to let go and let life happen however it was meant to.
I can't believe that it was a coincidence that I conceived that month! Isomehow just knew that I had conceived and did a HPT on CD24, 25, 26, and 27.All were positive! This was a relief, after all the money I had spent previouslyon HPTs (at least by this point I had learned that Costco sells them in a box of3 for about $8). I stayed on the progesterone cream throughout my firsttrimester, and would have continued with the Vitex but I was nauseous enoughthat there was no way I could swallow any of the herbal tinctures.
While I am deeply grateful for my pregnancy, I will say that pregnancy afterinfertility and miscarriage carries its own interesting and painful emotions. Ispent much of my early and mid pregnancy in a state of semi-denial anddetachment, I suppose largely because I was fearful of depending on thisactually truly happening. Of course, this doesn't mean that everyone'sexperience will mirror mine; it just suggests to me that the pain of infertilitycan linger on even in pregnancy. It's been a time of healing for me. I've foundtremendous healing and empowerment by continuing my journey in health andself-care: I've created a nurturing and powerful support system by receivingmidwife care, where I am a valued and equal partner in my healthcare. Mypregnancy is valued and appreciated as more than just a clinical, medicalexperience: my midwives are truly interested in the emotional aspects ofpregnancy. I continue to work to create the pregnancy and plan the birth that Iwant, and this has helped me to feel more attached to this baby (genderunknown!) and more in charge of my health. We are excitedly planning a homebirth(a decided departure from my traditional hospital/epidural delivery of my son,who is now 4 1/2) and are in the process of creating a birthplan that envisionsthe birth we want to create.
I apologize for the length of my testimony, but I have tried to be asdetailed as I possibly could be in hopes of benefiting anyone and everyone asmuch as possible. If you can gain even a sliver of hope, support, or practicaladvise from any part of my story, then my wordiness will have been worth it!Keep up the hard work, women. The ultimate goal is health and clarity andhopefully you will also be blessed with the joyful gift of pregnancy.
Blessings to you all,
Kris
 |
 |
 |
| View Cart | Site Map |
Join our newletter - specials and articles
Products
Happy PMS Natural Progesterone Cream
Popular Articles
The Importance of Progesterone
Your Ad Here