Tests, Tests, and More Tests

When a couple has been trying to conceive for more than a year unsuccessfully they are referred to an endocrinologist. Which is a fancy name for an infertility doctor.

Dr. Monterubio at Missouri Baptist finally referred me (I think he was tired of telling me to relax it will happen) to Dr. Saji Jacob, also known to us as Dr. J. We went to our first appointment with him and he told us the protocol to figure out exactly why we weren't getting pregnant. Exciting and Scary at the same time...I could be closer to having a baby, but I could also find out something I may not want to know. Dr. J is wonderful! He was very caring and sensitive our first appt. which really put my mind at ease.

Test #1 The Hormone Blood Test. This test was to tell us if our problem was a hormonal imbalance. The blood tests came back and ta-da...my testosterone free level was a little high. He said this could be interfering with ovulation. Relief and discomfort set over me. I ACTUALLY have a problem contrary to what I have been telling myself all along.

Test #2 HSG Test. This test was to make sure my fallopian tubes were clear. I have a pretty high pain tolerance so this test was a breeze. I got to watch it on the monitor above my head as I lay in the stirrups. I was so excited the dye that was injected rushed out the ends of my tubes. ALL CLEAR!

Test #3 Hysteroscopy. This test was to look at the lining of my uterus to make sure there were no fibroids or polyps that might be hindering implantation. This test was a little uncomfortable. Again I got to watch it on the monitor above. Everything looked GOOD! No problems with the uterine lining or walls. So relieved!!!

Test #4 Semen Analysis. This was Jared's test. He says this is the most embarassing thing in the world. Lol. But he made it through it and was PERFECT! No problems here. Praise Jesus!

After all of these tests, we sat down with Dr. J again for a protocol plan of treatment. He told us we could try IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). The percentage of this working was only 15-20 percent which is the percentage normal couples have every month of conceiving. We didn't qualify for IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) because he couldn't really foresee a huge problem. Or we could try clomid. A drug that induces ovulation. We chose to do Clomid because it was non-invasive, and if there wasn't much of a problem it would work...right???