So thanks to the grace of God, and my sister pushing me to call around, I found a great place to get my ultrasound series done. Seriously, I can't believe it has worked out like this. I really thought I'd never find a place that would do it. Some places I called had no idea what I was talking about. But finally one place directed me to another place, and that place agreed to do it.
I went today for my baseline and it was awesome. I could just tell they were very high-tech and knew what they were doing. As soon as I walked in, the tech asked if it'd be alright if the doctor brought two medical students in with him. The doctor? Wow! Of course I didn't mind. The more insight the better!
The doctor was so nice. I got a great feeling from him immediately, and the students too. They asked me some questions about my history and couldn't believe all my diagnoses. The woman student said I was an endocrinologist's dream! I wanted to say, go ahead! Study me! I'll be your guinea pig!!
Then they asked why I was seeing a doctor in PA. I kindly explained about how I wasn't interested in IVF and that you have to go further away to find a doctor who doesn't do it and will help you to achieve pregnancy without it. Then the tech pointed to the doctor and said that's what he does. Then the female student agreed and said he was great at finding a diagnoses and doesn't go to IVF right away. The doctor humbly played it off and said that he does work with infertile patients (the place I went isn't just for infertility). I can't explain why, but it really rubbed me the right way. So often, infertility doctors can have a God-complex, but this man didn't seem to. He was very warm and I got a great feeling about him. I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps God put me there because maybe I am supposed to get help from him in the future. It would be nice to have a good local doctor. And the office is part of a teaching hospital, so I bet they would be good at figuring out what's actually wrong, maybe more than the average RE.
Anyways, so they did the ultrasound and had no trouble finding my right ovary (Dr. L couldn't find it after several tries this past fall). It had a few small follicles on it and the doctor said the ovary itself was in the right place and was a good size (I asked him about both things since I have had multiple surgeries on it). The left one was harder to locate, and once they did find it, they noted that it was higher up than it normally should be. That ovary also had a few small follicles. My uterine lining was good, although a little thicker than normal (anyone know what that means?).
The doctor commented that for having multiple surgeries, my ovarian reserve appears good since both ovaries had multiple follicles. He couldn't tell which ovary should ovulate this month, but at least something seems to be in the works. I guess I'll find out more this Friday when I go on day ten (I was supposed to go on day 12 but it's a Sunday).
I'm also having no trouble at all getting my blood drawn this month either. Thanks be to God for things going smoothly!
In other news, we just had an awesome visit with my sister and her husband. They got to meet Clara for the first time and didn't want to leave! We wish they could have stayed even longer, since we really don't get to seem them that much at all. They live in CA, and we really wish they were closer. Here are some pics from their visit:
I realized after posting this that Clara is sleeping in every picture, so here are a couple more where she's awake:
Wow! Clara has grown so much!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you found a place to do the ultrasounds. Did they say if it was normal to have some cysts?
TS - Yes, from what I understand it is normal to have a few very small follicles, of which one will (hopefully) grow and ovulate this cycle. The doctor seemed to think it was a great thing, since he thought it meant that I don't lack eggs.
ReplyDeletei love the chunk in her cheeks :)
ReplyDeleteOMG! Clara looks so much bigger in these pictures. She is so sweet. I’m bound and determined to meet her some time!
ReplyDeleteOn the U/S: I’m so happy you found someone to work with and I feel like I get so much info. on having an u/s series done each month (of course, I’m on stimulants). I feel like such a loner in the Catholic IF world b/c I work with an RE, but I was lucky to find one who respected my beliefs on IUI and IVF.
What CD are you? Has your period been lighter than usual (or at least light so far)? My lining is thicker on baseline u/s if I’ve had a lighter start. This time, my uterine lining was thick when I went in for my baselines (period had been light) and right after it picked up and became heavier. It shouldn’t be a concern.
Also, yes. I always have small follicles at my baseline. I think A LOT of follicles is PCOS related (maybe 20 or more on an ovary). This is going from memory, so don't quote me. I could be completely wrong.
wow! great success to find such a place.
ReplyDeleteadorable pics!
That is great!!
ReplyDeleteAsk them (starting CD 10 and each u/s after that) to take an image of your cervix, and to tell you if there is cervical mucus or not. (This is something non-NaPro medical professionals usually don't document, but is a big part of the NaPro u/s series.)
It will be easy to tell, and you may even be able to see it if they point out the cervical area to you. Look for a BLACK line/area in the cervix. Black on ultrasound is fluid, so you want it to be aligning itself with when your follicles are really mature (and remember, this may possibly be a problem for you- the fact that the cm is not aligning with ovulation).
I love these pics :)
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePraying Clara gets a sibling soon!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so glad that the universe aligned and that you were able to get your u/s series done! Yay!
ReplyDeleteYou were definitely meant to meet the really nice doctor. I'm so glad to hear that there are doctors out there that aren't trying to push IVF!
Thanks for sharing the photos of your sister and BIL's visit. Clara is getting so much bigger!
I am glad things are going well with the u/s and your blood draws. It looks like you had a great time with your sister, as well!
ReplyDeleteShe is so cute sleeping and snuggled up to your sister. She seems really comfortable with everyone. Also you look very much like your sister :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful to have a doctor that you feel comfortable with! What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the series continues to go well and that they can help!
Clara is growing so much (naturally), she just keeps getting cuter!
Praise God something was finally relatively easy! You sister looks in love with Clara. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I'm so glad for you that you're finally seeing some progress. Clara is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing her beautiful little face with us :) Best of luck in the cycle!
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like a good u/s experience-good to hear! At PPVI they did mine every other day until it one got to be a certain measurement and then they went to everyday so they wouldn't miss the grand finale :) Of course I was stressed due to surgery etc and didn't ovulate forever! Seriously, 2 weeks of u/s! In my case the finale was filling up with debris instead of rupturing (lutenized unrupt follicle syndrome). I pray for a good rupture and egg release for you!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics!
Clara is so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about the ultrasounds...I haven't done that series yet...I am sure it is the next thing on the list for me.
I love hearing about the doctor, u/s series, and blood work finally going smoothly!
ReplyDeleteClara is just beautiful! Love that the superbowl was in the background! Geaux Saints :)
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ReplyDeleteLove the pics with Aunt A and Uncle J! :) The doctor you went to sounds great...I may need to get his name from you. I'm currently doctor shopping, haha!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news about this Dr!!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me like ever since the adoption of Clara, everything has just fallen right into place for you guys. It feels the same way over here. I take that as a sign that we are right in the center of God's will. Great place to be.
And I second Sew's comment!!!!
I am so glad that your u/s went great- it sounds like the doctor is excellent! There is something really comforting about trusting your doc I think. And the pictures are beautiful! The last one especially- you look so glowing as a mom!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great doctor! Clara is getting so big :D
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are able to get the u/s and b/w done at the same time. What great pictures of Clara with her Aunt and Uncle.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you found a great place for the ultrasound series. Maybe you will get some "free" insights from the doctor. I had a hard time finding someone and ended up at the IVF/fertility center. They did not do a good job, but we got the basic info we were looking for. Glad you had a good visit with your sister! Love the photos.
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