Mother's Day: Fertility Update

As this Mother's Day approaches I thought I would update you on our fertility progress. It's been two years this August since we started trying to have a baby. By that November my doctor started running tests to figure out why I wasn't ovulating. I was diagnosed with PCOS and low progesterone. 

So January 2011 started a slew of tests and treatments and medication. Three months on Clomid and then in June it was off to the fertility specialist. In the past whenever someone went to the fertility doctor, IVF popped in my head. To these doctors that is actually a last resort. There are actually so many other things to try first. In August I started my first round of oral medicine and injections. Basically all of this medication made my body do the things it was natuarally supposed to do. Produce mature eggs, release those eggs, and ultimately ovulate. 

My hormones were already in a bad mood from the Clomid. Well, my body was in no way ready for these larger doses of medicine. Lets just say I was not easy to deal with at times. And Bryan, wonderful Bryan, got nicer the meaner I got. I was bloated, gaining weight, experience hot flashes and night sweats, along with the mood swings. It was not the best year of my life. 

After three rounds my doctor decided I need surgery to "stimulate" my ovaries, basically to do what they should be doing on their own. It was a hard decision to make since we were leaving for DC in less than two months but we decided it was what was best. So three weeks before leaving Indy my doctor performed outpatient surgery. What was supposed to be a simple procedure turned into removing endemetriosis and a polyp on my uterus. I was so thankful then that I had the surgery because of the other unknown problems I had. To me, it was just one step closer to having that baby. 

I am happy to report that since the surgery three months ago I am cycling regularly (something that hasn't happened naturally in a year and a half) and I have begun ovulating. And I don't have to be on "crazy pills" which is a huge blessing itself! We know that one day God will bless us with a child. We do know and have realized time after time that his way is best. Is it hard every single time I see a mother with her newborn or find out someone else (even the fake characters on TV) is pregnant? Of course. But God has given me his grace through this. And one day I will be able to use my story to help that woman whose arms are empty and tell her that I know firsthand that God will fill them someday.

So to all of my many friends who are mothers, Happy Mother's Day. You know I love you, and I thank so many of you for your prayers and encouragement for me. Someone gave me a picture once that said, "Friends are God's way of taking care of  you". I love that. 

And to all of my friends also longing for that baby, I pray for you as well. We will all be mothers together soon. :) God knows.