Fertility Notes- a fertility blog with all the news your womb can use

Probably More Than You Wanted To Know

by Gabrielle on June 4th, 2008

After more than a month of dreading, teeth gnashing, cursing the needles, pins and pills of this “mock cycle,” yesterday’s tests finally happened. My sweaty palms dried after a visit and a hug from our Nurse (who was there assisting with transfers since the clinic was short-staffed for the day) and after seeing the anesthesiologist finally arrive.

“You’re gonna knock me out, right?”

I must have asked this to anyone who would listen yesterday. This guy finally gave me the answer I was looking for.

“You’re not gonna know what hit you.” Said with a wink and a smile. I knew I liked him immediately.

The procedures went off without a hitch and as a result we will not be using a stitch to guide future transfers.

A wha? Yeah, it’s exactly like it sounds. A stitch. The last two times we have tried to transfer embryos to my uterus, the previous doctor preferred to put a stitch in my cervix a few days before transfer so that he could pull my curvy uterus into position to facilitate a straight shot (as it were) for the catheter containing the little ones. You know, like an obedient marionette. But a full bladder seemed to be enough to straighten the old girl out and both times, the little purple string (which, FYI, hurts like a B. to put in) was left dangling, totally unnecessary.

Our new doc took yesterday’s opportunity (me=out cold, legs=akimbo) to do a test run without the stitch and made the decision that we would not be putting my cervix or uterus through any unnecessary stress next time out. (insert little cheering cervix here). We like that news.

In other news, the hysteroscopy found a polyp which was promptly removed and a small fibroid, which was not. All else looked good according to Doc. The results of the biopsy will be back in a week or so to hopefully confirm that assessment. The Mayo Clinic explains:

Uterine polyps are growths attached to inner wall of the uterus and protruding into the uterine cavity. Overgrowth of cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) leads to the formation of uterine polyps. The sizes of uterine polyps range from a few millimeters — no larger than a sesame seed — to several centimeters — golf ball sized or larger. They are attached to the uterine wall by a large base or a thin stalk.

Now, are the fibroid and polyp to blame for our last two failed cycles? Hard to say. The fibroid, probably not. The poylp, perhaps. According to www.obgyn.net:

If the polyp interferes with the egg and sperm, it may make it hard to get pregnant. Nobody knows how common this is. It is also possible that they may lead to a slightly higher chance of miscarriage, but this is also unknown. Most gynecologists will remove polyps…if they are found in women with a history of miscarriage.

So that sucker’s outta there. Hubby and I were both a little surprised by the optimism that we both heard in Doc’s voice as she gave us the report - to Michael as soon as she left to O.R. and to me, via phone as soon as I was cognizant.

Yesterday, I was crampy. By “crampy,” I don’t mean the “crampy=extreme pain” euphemism that blindsided me when I had to have an HSG. I mean crampy, like, “oh, I might be getting my monthly flow” crampy. A bit groggy. But other than that, absolutely fine.

Can I take a moment to apologize to anyone that I have scared off having this procedure done?

Next steps, we wait for the biopsy report. I clear all these drugs out of my system, and it looks like we’ll be starting up again soon enough. By that, I mean getting my body ready for another frozen embryo transfer (FET). Remember, we are lucky enough to have some guys on ice. This time, with a little more (ok, a LOT more) hope.

Image: Newscom

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POSTED IN: IVF, embryos, fertility boosts?, infertility treatments, living with infertility, medical procedures