Getting Pregnant
We started trying to get pregnant about six years ago. I had been on birth control for a long time so we expected to have a wait period for all the hormones to get out of our system. Unfortunately, it took much longer then we ever expected.
During the six years we did run into some time that we weren't together at the right times, such as required business trips, family commitments, etc. Another obstacle for us was our schedules, we worked opposite schedules and there were days we wouldn't see each other.
After four years we decided to go for some testing, I had blood work done to make sure that everything was ok. Once that came back normal we kept up our attempts for another few months and then I went for another test called Hysterosalpingogram or HSG. The testing was again came back showing no issues.
I want to talk a little bit about this test because I felt blindsided by it and mislead. This test is to find out if your tubes are blocked and is a necessary part of fertility testing but I do want to warn you, this testing is extremely painful. My doctor told me it would be like some period cramping. I have very painful periods, with shooting pains down my legs and up into my back, I also get light headed, nauseous and during the really bad cramping I can even see spots in front of my eyes. So, I figured what ever, it can't be as bad as some of my periods. Well, I was very, very wrong! This was some of the worse pain I have every felt. If they tell you that it'll be like period pain know they are down playing it.
The HSG is done in the radiology lab, you will lie down on the table with your knees in stirrups and they will insert a needle or catheter thru your cervix and insert the dye. The dye insertion is the worst part. They are pushing fluid thru your cervix into your body, which isn't naturally supposed to happen. During this excruciating pain you will have to lye still and only rotate your hips if they need to get clearer pictures. They did need me to rotate my hips to the right and the pain w/ the movement only intensified.
Once the testing is done they will give you a pad, which you will need as the dye comes out slowly over the next few hours. The doctor performing my test was pretty inconsiderate during this part, she told me that I was all set and could go to the bathroom. She handed me the pad and then kept talking to me while I had blood and dye running down my legs and onto the floor. I had to ask her if we could finish the conversation once I was dressed since I was dripping on the floor. She looked stunned and said oh yes, but when I came out it was only the nurse in the room.
Your probably thinking that the worst is over now, right? Your wrong now comes the very painful period cramps. The intense pain will last for a few hours, so it may be wise to have someone drive you to the appointment. The cramping lessened within that first day, however, over the next few days I experienced crampy, achy feelings and some pain if I moved too quickly.
I'm not trying to scare you off this test because it's important. I unlike my doctor want to give you the full picture of what happened to me, so you know what will happen and be prepared for it. As this post is so long I'll be finishing my post about getting pregnant a little later.
Once the testing is done they will give you a pad, which you will need as the dye comes out slowly over the next few hours. The doctor performing my test was pretty inconsiderate during this part, she told me that I was all set and could go to the bathroom. She handed me the pad and then kept talking to me while I had blood and dye running down my legs and onto the floor. I had to ask her if we could finish the conversation once I was dressed since I was dripping on the floor. She looked stunned and said oh yes, but when I came out it was only the nurse in the room.
Your probably thinking that the worst is over now, right? Your wrong now comes the very painful period cramps. The intense pain will last for a few hours, so it may be wise to have someone drive you to the appointment. The cramping lessened within that first day, however, over the next few days I experienced crampy, achy feelings and some pain if I moved too quickly.
I'm not trying to scare you off this test because it's important. I unlike my doctor want to give you the full picture of what happened to me, so you know what will happen and be prepared for it. As this post is so long I'll be finishing my post about getting pregnant a little later.
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