My Struggle with Infertility and Endometriosis

I have endometriosis and from the time I was fifteen years old I was told it would be almost impossible to have my own children. No fifteen year old girl should have to even consider that possibility but I did. Over the years I searched for treatment for my endometriosis and went to eleven different doctors. I researched alternative medicine for endometriosis treatment and pain. Some things I tried helped and some did not. I also used Lupron injections in hopes of pain relief and stopping the disease from progressively getting worse. Lupron only helped minimally for treating my endometriosis.

Once I had met the man I wanted to marry (Now my husband) I longed even more for the chance to have my own child. Before getting married we had counseling through the pastor at church. Our pastor suggested that we must prepare as a couple for the fact we may never have our own natural children. He suggested looking into adoption and we did. A friend told me about a great gynecologist and fertility doctor that I simply must see. I had already seen eleven doctors maybe number twelve would my lucky charm and help with my fertility problems. This new doctor was honest with my husband and I. He said "I believe you have a chance of conceiving but, we have to act fast." He was the first doctor that after reviewing my medical records thought I may have a chance! He said our next step was another laparoscopy to clear up all the endometriosis he could. A few weeks after surgery I started my first round of Clomid. The first month of using Clomid was not successful but my doctor assured me just to try another month and if after that month I was not pregnant we would do artificial insemination (IUI). If artificial insemination did not work we would move on to In Vitro fertilization (IVF).

My second month of using Clomid I did not get my period. I anxiously took a EPT pregnancy test and it was negative. The next day was my birthday and I took another pregnancy test and it was still negative. I was very disappointed and call my doctor. He suggested I come in right away and suggested maybe I was pregnant. I said "I have taken to EPT pregnancy tests and they are both negative." He chuckled and said "Come in now anyway." I left work and drove to the doctors office alone.

At the doctors office I did the usually pee in the cup routine and went and waited in the exam room. The doctor came in with the nurse and told me I was pregnant. I was in shock, but "How all my pregnancy tests were negative?" I said. He explained that I was so early and that taking Clomid can cause you to ovulate late and therefore causing a false negative pregnancy test.

I successfully carried my son to 35 weeks. I struggled with pre-term labor from 20 weeks on but, by miracle, grace of God and help from my doctor he was born healthy. After few weeks after delivering him I went back for a check up and talked about birth control. The doctor and I both decided having a Mirena IUD was a good choice. Mirena IUD is good for 5 years and just 2 years later I all the sudden did not get my period. I took a pregnancy test and much to my surprise, I was pregnant. I called my miracle doctor and he laughed almost saying "did you take a ovulation test or a pregnancy test?" I told him I had indeed taken a pregnancy test. I went in and before taking a pregnancy test both the doctor and nurse thought there was no way I could be pregnant. Mirena is over 99.8% effective and on top of that I had endometriosis. Much to everyone surprise I was actually pregnant regardless of having a Mirena IUD. I was one of the 1 in 1,000 women that can pregnant with a IUD.

After delivering my 2nd child, I got pregnant two more times and now have 4 children. It is possible to overcome infertility and endometriosis. Never give up hope! I am proof all things are possible even if eleven doctors said otherwise.

Sources

http://www.mirena-us.com/mirena_right/hassle_free_birth_control.jsp