Hello. If you are reading this section of the blog, you may be experiencing your own walk with infertility and have some questions about what you might go through in your journey. One thing I can see if you are NOT alone and that I am NOT a doctor. So, anything I write or share is just my persona experience and yours may be completely different.
“#INFERTILITYSUCKS
-Signed the #TTCCommunity
Infertility absolutely sucks and you’ll see that statement over and over again in social media. But you will also find people who understand what it’s like to purchase countless gifts for friends and family members who are expecting their blessing and then go home and cry in the shower because Aunt Flow was late again–but you aren’t pregnant. People who know what it’s like to sit with pregnancy test after pregnancy test looking at the faint line that you are so sure you see that you spend hours playing with cell phone filters to show you a nonexistent line that you know you’ve seen. People who know what it’s like to want to avoid gatherings with those who don’t know your struggle because they ask innocently when you’re going to start your family–not knowing that you’ve been trying so hard…every diet, every position, every exercise, every thing…and nothing has happened. Infertility SUCKS.
BUT there is ALWAYS hope even when the doctors tell you otherwise. The doctors told me that my husband and I would have a less than five percent chance of conceiving on our own. We were blessed to prove them right with infertility assistance. We were more than blessed to prove them wrong when our youngest daughter was conceived spontaneously. God is amazing and even when the days are emotionally horrible, there is light and hope.
With all that said, this section of the blog covers our successes and our failures. It’s a work in progress because I will be coming back here with links and resources for you. I KNOW your journey. I know that frustration and I hope something you read here can help.
“It’s like alphabet soup where the only letters in the bowl are N and O. You’re either getting a NO or ON your way to get a NO”
ACRONYMS
One of the first things I learned in our journey in infertility was a crash course in acronyms is pretty standard. I was used to the whole alphabet soup of abbreviations having worked with military personnel a great deal of my life, but there letters and terms were something altogether different.
To help out those who are unfamiliar with the terms they are hearing or may be reading on the blog, here’s a cheat sheet for you! Also included are some of the terms you’ll hear used over and over. Let me know if you have any suggestions for new ones.
Basal Temperature- Basal body temperature (BBT or BTP) is the lowest body temperature attained during rest (usually during sleep). It is usually estimated by a temperature or measurement immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken.
BD-Baby Dance. Another word for sex.
Cervical Mucus- Please visit this link from Mama Natural that explains it perfectly. I do not have the rights to any of the graphics or information on the link.
Charting– Refers to a meticulous collection of Basal Body Temperatures, Menstrual Cycle Start and Stop Days, Cervical Fluid Details, among other things in an attempt to predict or determine ovulation for the purpose of conception.
HSG-Hysterosalpingogram. An x-ray procedure used to see whether the Fallopian tubes are open and if the inside of the uterus (uterine cavity) is normal. HSG is an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than 5 minutes to perform.
ICSI-Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. An in vitro fertilization procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
IVF– In-Vitro Fertilization. IVF is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the embryo to the uterus.
IUs- Individual Units. Medical measurement for medicine.IUI-Intrauterine insemination. The placing of sperm into a woman’s uterus when she is ovulating. This procedure is used for couples with unexplained infertility, minimal male factor infertility, and women with cervical mucus problems.
Mock Embryo Transfer- The trial run of the actual embryo transfer. It allows the doctor to determine the best “route” of embryo transfer, determine any surprises in the uterus or cervix (like my tilted uterus). With all the preparation, surprises on transfer day should be minimum.
RE- Reproductive Endocrinologist. A branch of medicine that identifies and treats infertility in both men and women.
STIMS- Stimulation. Refers to the follicle stimulating medicine that is injected into the body in preparation for fertility treatments up to and including IUI, IVF, ICSI
Temp- Basal Temping. Using a thermometer to keep track of your basal temperature.
TWW- Two Week Wait. The two weeks after IUI leading to the date before pregnancy testing.