THE RESULTS **drumroll please**

Ha I don’t really need the drum roll today, but I thought I needed some sound of excitement today.

Anyway, I had a progesterone test done last week Friday, which the results is captured in one of my previous posts. It really didn’t come out high. The on Monday IF clinic gave me a call as Dr was concerned with the fact that after using all these meds and injections my progesterone did sweet nothing.

So Yesterday off I went to another lab to have the same test done to see if we were getting the same results, but it was way-way-way better. The results in fact were 182 which have a variance of 174 in comparison to the test done of Friday last week. So now what happened? Was the previous result by any chance wrong???

With the progesterone test, we also had our official pregnancy test….

Before I spill the results, I want to thank all of you who were supportive this cycle and who did a prayer for us, but unfortunately we’re counting another BFN on our charts.

So for now, I’m going into my feeling sorry for myself spot… and would have to get myself out of the slump all over again.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

I received a call yesterday from the IF Clinic, and to everyones’ amazement, with all the meds and injections my progesterone level only raised to 8, and by the sound of it they were not very happy with the results. They have requested another progesterone test on the blood, and I’m now waiting for my feedback as they would need to phone me back with a plan of action...

So I’m already feeling teary.... but I'm now also not understanding casue the info I found explains the following

hCG levels during pregnancy
(in weeks since last menstrual period)

• 3 weeks LMP 5 - 50 mIU/ml
• 4 weeks LMP 5 - 426 mIU/ml
• 5 weeks LMP 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
• 6 weeks LMP 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
• 7 - 8 weeks LMP 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
• 9 - 12 weeks LMP 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
• 13 - 16 weeks LMP 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
• 17 - 24 weeks LMP 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
• 25 - 40 weeks LMP 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
• non pregnant 55-200 ng/ml

IUI AND MORE!

Good morning all,

I thought that the post for today will cover what has happened in our world the last couple of days

On Wednesday 3 March 2010 (CD15), I had another scan as mentioned in my previous post and everything felt like it was on track. Then Thursday morning came, and with it came spotting. So off cause I was terrified that CD1 is about to come sooner than expected, so I phoned the clinic and they put my mind a little to rest, as it could be because of the scan. So I had to monitor the bleeding and report back if there were any stronger bleeding, which luckily didn’t happen.

Then…

Bright and early on Saturday we were up and ready to dash off to the clinic which is about an hour 15min drive from our home. As we got there they were already waiting for us. So P did what he had to, and we went off to have a breakfast while we were waiting. Then at about 9:30am we returned and we did our pre-ovulation IUI, which really went well, no cervical problems… JIPPY and I spend most of the day relaxing as much as possible. We walked around at the show later on during the day, which was kind of nice, but I really didn’t feel like I did all the years before. It wasn’t really as much fun as the previous years.

Anyway, Sunday morning again up at sparrows fart, went to the Clinic, and this time round they were a bit late. Then the most terrible thing happened... I just can’t believe that people has become so unprofessional, impersonal, unemotional about this whole infertility thing, especially not the people that work with these things daily. The lady asked us for our sample, and because it might take us longer than an hour to get there, she should have known by now that we produce the sample there (O yes and I mentioned it the Saturday). Anyway, there were another couple that also went for IUI, and the guy got his turn to go into the room, she then directed us to another room.

She said: “you can use the room on this side”
Me: “O is there rooms, I’ve never been to one of them:
She: “Yes here you go” pointing towards the room.

As I came around the corner to look at the room she directed us straight into the toilet. Lovely… Fucking Lovely. So there P was, he was so upset he really got that strange look in his eyes, and off cause, I got it… because of a stupid, unemotional bitch lady I got the back end of it, and he said: “You better fall pregnant now I had it with this crap” man I really didn’t know how to deal with it, and I still think I don’t really know how to deal with it. I still feel upset and emotional about this comment. I know it was not directed at me but rather the situation, but still...

Anyway, IUI post-ovulation was done on Sunday 7 march 2010, and I’ve started with the progesterone vaginal cream this morning, I’ll also start with Utrogestan capsules tonight 2x 100mg at night before I go to sleep, and on CD23 (11 March 2010) I’ll start on Gestone injections. Hopefully my body will play its part and absorb the progesterone as needed. All I can do now is wait out my 2 weeks and on 19 March 2010 I’ll do my blood test.

Please hold thumbs…

Wishing all the other ladies lost of luck on their journey... and myself with my own 2ww

Update on Scan

Okay, so I went for my CD12 Scan yesterday, and was really very optimistic about it. I have had so many cramps with the injections and meds that I really thought everything in there was going hunky dory!

Anyway, I rediscovered my blood group which I have totally forgotten what group I was (hey but now I know) and the rest of the blood works came back pretty good except for my Sugar levels and Progesterone levels. So this really made me feel down again. Dr have prescribed Glucophage for me and I started using the tablets at night for the first week and then one in the morning and one at night for the next 6 months. So we'll have to see how on earth I’m going to cope with that, as it really makes you run to the loo very very very often.

Over and above this, I got new Fertomid tablets and more Gonal F... Why you'd ask, and the only answer I want to give is my bloody body again, but to put it nicely: My body has once again been on the slow side on CD 12 I have only 2 follicles which are almost there one on the left is 13.5mm and the one on the right is 14.5mm. So another scan has been scheduled for Wednesday to see how the follicles have progressed.

Wish me luck girls... and please please please keep me in your thoughts as I really need thoughts and prayers this cycle! Feeling a bit on the down side

On the working front:

Well we start with our official Night classes today, and believe me when I tell you I doubt if I’m going to make these 3 months. Every Monday we'll be going off at 15:00 as the traffic towards that area is very hectic and the classes start at 5, and I’ll only get home at 23:00 tonight. Luckily hubby will be able to look after himself, and I'll grab something to eat on my way there.

So that's my very quick update... enjoy this week

BAD LUCK!

I have officially decided that yesterday and today was the worst days of this week.

About a month ago, a little sty and infection started to form on my left eye, and when I saw the Dr he gave me some antibiotic and cream to put on, well it never seemed to have gone away. Now about a month later I still had the same bump on my eye which was very irritable and scratchy and last night it just felt like my whole eye was about to fall out. So we decided to go over to our emergency rooms as no Dr’s office is open after 6pm. So at about 7:30 we were at the emergency rooms waiting for the Dr on call to see us.

Off I went into the emergency ward where the Dr saw me, and explained that they would have to make an incision on the eye lid, off cause this would be painful he said, however it something that they would have to do. So they prepared everything and as I was lying there, he made the incision on the left eye lid and squeezed out all the puss. OUCH! Is about all I can say without sounding like the worst sailor ever.

Anyway, as if that wasn’t enough, you see we only left there at about 10pm, which meant that I couldn’t eat anymore. I had some blood works from the Fertility Clinic which I had to go for today and it was suppose to be done fasting. NICE, so bloody nice… Now here is grumpy me, hungry, thirsty and really sore… but I survived.

So on arrival at work, one of my colleagues went with me over to the one clinic close by, we decided to have a walk there as it is about 100 meters from work, nice morning breeze, and what a walk, it was great to be out in the open for a change. Anyway, 10 vials of blood later I walked out of there. We rushed back to work; I got a toasted and coffee, and have never had breakfast so fast in my entire life. I was starving! So Dr testing about everything here are the list (and no official medical explanation but rather my understanding of the test):

1. Glucose fasting (measure the amount of glucose in the blood right at the time of sample collection)
2. Insulin fasting (used, often along with glucose and C-peptide levels, to help diagnose insulinomas and to help diagnose documented acute or chronic (fasting) hypoglycemia)
3. TSII (testing of the Thyroid)
4. Free T4 (Total T4 and free T4 are two separate tests that can help the doctor evaluate thyroid function)
5. FSH (FSH levels are also useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities and to aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders)
6. LH (The LH blood test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone)
7. 17-B Oestradiol (E2) (associated with changes in ovarian steroid levels)
8. Progesterone (measures the amount of the hormone progesterone in a blood sample)
9. Free Testosterone (needed for hormonal balance and to help women’s bodies to function normally)
10. Growth hormones (Growth hormones are the chemical stimulation that initiates cell division, bone growth, and a number of other physical processes within the human body)
11. Prolactin (ordered along with other tests, when a woman is experiencing infertility or irregular menses)
12. Antenatal (Incl. HIV) (testing things like your blood group, Rhesus factor, Iron levels, red blood cell abnormalities, Syphilis, German measles, hepatitis B, and HIV)
13. B-HCG Quantitative (pregnancy test)
14. Phospholipid antibodies (testing antibodies – complications caused by Antiphospholipid Antibody could cause miscarriages)
15. ANF (anti Nuclear factor – is an antibody. The presence of this antibody raises a number of possibilities – positive test possibility of Arthritis, Scleroderma.)

So this is my bit of bad luck these 2 days, and O Yes AF haven’t started yet (which is for some reason a bit odd it normally starts on day 26 of my cycle) but I’ll have to wait for day 28 to arrive as it might be because of the fact that I’m not using any medicine at this moment, so Dr said it could have an impact on this months cycle. Anyway we are waiting for AF to either come (which will be sad, but then we can start the process) or stay away (which will be the ideal, because that will mean that I got it right) so either or, I’m trying to cope everyday with the thoughts that there might be a BFP, but also with the knowing that it actually will take a miracle to have a BFP on our own, but who knows what our little rocky road has in store for us.

Now I’m waiting in anticipation for AF, and my test results… so wish me luck!

SCAN UPDATES!

I thought I’ll be able to blog today and tell you lots and lots of stuff, but unfortunately this is just another little snapshot of days of my life. So Tuesday 14 April 2009, was another day at the doctors offices for another scan to see how ovulation and my follies are progressing. Another huge disappointment as they are so small it just really sucks. Anyway, so there I had to swallow another lot of Estrofem and Clomid for a couple of days and I had to go back yesterday (Sunday 19 April). Hubby went with yesterday morning which was nice for a change, seeing that he can’t always make it. So we had to get up fairly early to travel to the doctors offices which is about 45min drive from our home. Got there and eventually saw doctor at 9am. Another scan was done, and we now managed to determine after all these years that my follies are only growing approximately 1mm in 2days, can you believe it… I just can’t believe my body is letting me down. So there is a little planning coming up, and we have an appointment on Wednesday morning which will determine how many active/life sperm is available in my mucus, depending on the testing and the results, we will be able to do inseminate on Thursday morning. In a way I feel exited and can’t wait for Thursday, but on the other hand I know I have to be optimistic but also sceptic. I suppose we will have to wait and see…. On the work front, my contract is ending at the company I currently work for, which means I will be moving very shortly. Scary, exciting and very stressful…! The wait to see where I’ll be going to is also killing me, I hate the long waits, I don’t like the interviews and I really don’t like the fact that I don’t have control over it, but at least before the interviews and stuff, hubby, me his brother and sister their children and spouses will be going to a campsite about an hours drive away from home. Hopefully this time will give me time to relax, and get focussed on all the tasks ahead. Get myself motivated again, and hopefully I’ll feel much, much, much more rest out than what I currently feel like. So ladies, I will hopefully be able to give you more details on Wednesday and Thursday…. And please, please, please keep me in your prayers and thoughts. Have a blessed week!

Testosterone

Well I have been reading everything went on every web read a couple of books and so forth, and everywhere you turn the word Testosterone appear. Now I know that most of us know what testosterone is, but for those who don’t here it is: Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. In both men and women testosterone plays a key role in health. They say on average and adult males’ body produces about forty to sixty times more testosterone that a adult body of a female, but females are more sensitive to the hormone from a behavioural perspective. So there you have it!

Differences in infertility

Infertility

• Couples is seen to be infertile if
• The couple has not conceived after 12 months contraceptive-free
• The couple has no conceived after 6 months of
• A female is incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term

Sub fertility

• A couple that has tried unsuccessfully to have a child for a year or more is said to be sub fertile.

Primary vs. secondary infertility

• Couples with primary infertility have never been able to conceive, while secondary infertility is difficulty conceiving after having conceived and carried a normal pregnancy.

Unexplained infertility

• Infertility investigation shows no abnormalities, but no pregnancy occurs

Our dearest male issues

Mmm, the last couple of days were focussing basically on females, and yes I suppose that some of us wouldn’t even consider that there might also be issues with our loved one. I know that sometimes we might also have a huge struggle to either get hubby there or the get him to be tested for some of the stuff. I know, because I had a huge struggle. Not to sure whether it was the fact of the testing or is it because he didn’t want to be told that the issue could be his… anyway… here are a couple of things to think about.. Although some people still think that fertility problems is only a woman’s problem. So it is crucial that men get tested for fertility as well as women. Some men may want to put off being tested out of embarrassment, but early testing can spare the partner a great deal of discomfort. Like you would have read by now the first thing to do is to go to the doctor. After a physical examination, your doctor will probably order a semen analysis, which will check the qMmm, the last couple of days were focussing basically on females, and yes I suppose that some of us wouldn’t even consider that there might also be issues with our loved one. I know that sometimes we might also have a huge struggle to either get hubby there or the get him to be tested for some of the stuff. I know, because I had a huge struggle. Not to sure whether it was the fact of the testing or is it because he didn’t want to be told that the issue could be his… anyway… here are a couple of things to think about.. Although some people still think that fertility problems is only a woman’s problem. So it is crucial that men get tested for fertility as well as women. Some men may want to put off being tested out of embarrassment, but early testing can spare the partner a great deal of discomfort. Like you would have read by now the first thing to do is to go to the doctor. After a physical examination, your doctor will probably order a semen analysis, which will check the quality and quantity of the sperm in the semen. If the first analysis is normal, your doctor may order a second to confirm the results. If the results look irregular, your doctor might order further test to pinpoint the problem There are a number of potential problems that this analysis detects. These include: Azoospermia - No sperm are produced, or the sperm aren't appearing in the semen. Oligiospermia. Few sperm are produced. Motility – sperm aren’t moving normally Morphology – problems with the form and structure While these conditions may be the direct reason why we can’t conceive they themselves may be caused by an underlying medical condition which could be investigated further by blood and urine tests or other procedures Other Factors that may cause male infertility is things such as: Excessive exercise Stress Too many Steroid hormones Drugs, alcohol or tobacco Heat Hormonal problems No many of us don’t really want to seek any advice and would rather want to try and help you, they say by doing the following it is perceived to promote fertility Eat healthy Regular exercise Maintain weight in your ideal range Do not smoke Keep alcohol consumption within limits Do no use any recreational drugs Well I think that sums it up for now…

Estrogen and Progesterone

Now a bit more about estrogen and progesterone, this is mentioned on each and every page about fertility. To start off with estrogen, estrogen is a group of steroid compounds, named for their importance in the menstruation cycle and functioning as the primary female hormone… Progesterone is a C-21 Steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis. Progesterone belongs to a class of hormones called progestogens and is the major naturally occurring human progestogens.

More about the swimmers

Now I have mentioned in my previous post a bit about our little swimmers… and wanted to provide a bit more information on this topic. To enhance sperm health it is believed that a diet rich in antioxidants is vital. Our little swimmers, swim through the cervix and move into the uterus. Now they swim from one end of the womb to the other to finally reach the fallopian tubes, and of cause by now most of our little swimmer have likely not made it this far, and there a various reasons why this happens. If our little swimmer is lucky, the woman has just ovulated and the egg is on the way, if not, they wait around for our ovulation, or for the egg to drop. When the egg appears it takes one single swimmer to fertilize the egg. As you will see, when it comes to getting pregnant the health of our little swimmers cannot be neglected. In 2006, a 90-day independent clinical study on fertility supplement, FertilAid for men, was conducted with significant results. The results of the placebo-controlled clinical study revealed that FertilAid for men supported a significant increase in total normal motility. Sperm motility is the capacity to move in a forward- moving manner. Normal motility is one of the key benchmarks in determining overall male fertility health. Now with that, I end the information for today. Happy reading

Fertilization and a bit more

Well like you would know by now, a sperm must meet and fertilize an egg, and you also know that there are so many factors that affect this, and which also affect your fertility, these of cause include the timing of ovulation, how long the egg lasts and if you had a strong swimmer present. Now for ladies with a regular cycle it is easy to calculate when ovulation occurs, because ovulation almost always happens 14 days before you expect your period to start. For those ladies with a 30 day cycle, you can expect to ovulate 16 days after the last period, which is 14 days before the next one… Now some of us aren’t that fortunate, and have an irregular cycle, which means we cannot predict when we will ovulate, in retrospect, we can calculate that ovulation occurred 16 days before a period, which really doesn’t help in planning a pregnancy. At least there are ovulation predictor kits to determine when we will ovulate; these kits detect the rise in hormones that occurs before the egg is released. It is said that a egg last approximately 24 hours after we have ovulated and if sperm are available during this 24 hours window, we can still get pregnant, we can still get pregnant by planning anywhere from several days before ovulation to the day after ovulation. It is believed that if you ovulate on day 14 you can get pregnant anytime between day 9-15 and maybe day 8-16 as well. Another question a lot of women have is of cause the one old question, how long till I’m pregnant. Now many women are surprised when they don’t fall pregnant the first month they try, and they say it normally takes about several months to become pregnant. Studies shows that 50% of women will be pregnant in the first 4 months, 75% will be pregnant in 8 Months and 90% will be pregnant within a year. Should you have been trying for longer that 1 year it is believed that you should make an appointment with a gynaecologist or an infertility specialist for complete examination and testing.

Issues with our dear female system

Well as we all know that there a quit a few things that can go wrong with the female reproductive system, and I know that this is sometimes the last thing anyone wants to think about, but it’s unfortunately one of the things we deal with a women. Women may sometimes experience reproductive system problems. Obviously this is just mentioning a few, but I am very sure that I’m missing a whole lot of things, but some of them are:

• Vulvovaginitis, Painful swelling and redness (inflammation), it could be caused by irritating material (e.g. soaps or bubble baths). One of the things that could also contribute is poor personal hygiene, in the event where you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement… not a pleasant thought I know, but it happens.
• Ectopic pregnancy, Ectopic means “out of place”. With an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg has implanted outside the uterus, the egg settles in the fallopian tubes in more than 95% of these pregnancies. It is also commonly called “tubal pregnancies”
• Endometriosis, well I think that this is the most popular one, because so many of us have been treated and operated for this. Anyway endometriosis is when tissue normally found only in the uterus starts to grow outside the uterus in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or any other parts of the pelvic cavity.
• Varian cysts, this is normally noncancerous sacs which are filled with fluid or semi-solid materials. They are common and generally harmless, but could become a problem if they grow large.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome, abbreviated PCOS or PCO, is an endocrine disorder. According to all searches conducted the principal features are weight problems, lack of regular ovulation/menstruation, and excessive amount or effects of androgenic hormones, it is said that the causes are not really known, but insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS.

Now we all know that there are also a large number of menstrual problems which can affect females, it is believed that some of the most common conditions are as follow:

• Dysmenorrhoea, this is when you have painful periods
• Menorrhagia, this is when you have a very heavy periods with excess bleeding.
• Oligomenorrhea, menstruation occurs at much longer intervals than normal or skipped

Some thoughts on the reproductive systems

Haven’t you ever wondered how the reproductive systems work… well as we all know all living things reproduce! In the human reproductive process, to kinds of gametes are involved, (gamete = wife, gametes = husband this is a cell that fuses with another gamete during fertilization) the male gametes and the female gamete, meets in the female’s reproductive system to create a new individual. Well I suppose this is information for beginners but hey not all of us knows everything, and I am also learning from stuff I read daily. So I thought that you wouldn’t mind reading this as well…. Unlike the male the female has a reproductive system located entirely in the pelvis, this just shows you that once again women are different from males, not that this is a shocker to anyone reading (ha-ha) anyway your uterus is shaped like an upside-down pear. It has a thick lining and muscular walls. Did you know that your uterus contains some of the strongest muscles in the female body? Well if not, it does, so you know now! At the upper corner of the uterus, you have fallopian tubes, which connect the uterus to the ovaries, you fallopian tubes are about 10 centimetres long and about as wide as a piece of spaghetti, within each tube is a passageway, about as wide as a sewing needle, at the other end of each fallopian tube is a fringed area that looks like a little funnel. The fringed area wraps around the ovaries but isn’t completely attached to your ovaries. When an egg comes out of an ovary, it enters the fallopian tube, in the fallopian tube, tiny hair in the tubes lining help to push the egg down the passageway towards your uterus. Now you ovaries are also part of the endocrine system because they produce hormones (Female Hormones) such as estrogen and progesterone…. Your ovaries are oval-shaped and lie to the upper right and left of the uterus, which produces, store and release eggs into your fallopian tubes when ovulation occurs. Each of your ovaries measures about 4 – 5 centimetres in a grown woman. The female reproductive system enables a woman to produce eggs, protect and nourish the fertilized egg until it is fully developed and to give birth. Now approximately once a month, during your ovulation, an ovary releases an egg into one of the fallopian tubes, unless the egg is fertilized while in the fallopian tube, the egg dries up and leaves the body about 2 weeks. The egg leaves the body through the uterus, and the process for this is called menstruation. Now I’m sure I don’t have to explain the menstruation process, because most of us just hate the thought of it, but on average the monthly cycle for an adult woman is about 28 days, but it rages from 23 to about 35 days. Well I guess that this is all I have for now, hopefully someone could benefit from the details added, if not I noted this as this is a journey I embarked on, and what ever I experience or read I want to be able to go back and read this one day. For those of you who has been following my blog, thank you for your great assistance, and I hope I have not bored you with the details of our dear female system….

Charting

Mmm, I have not been able to chat to anyone in a very long time, nor did I post any feedback or information since March, so I thought today will be a good day to start sharing again. I guess that for the time I have not been able to blog, or read anyone else’s blog, I missed out on so much information and so many frustrations, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll ensure that I read your blogs and get up to date on your progress as well. A word of thanks to everyone who has supported me, and contacted me while I didn’t find the time to write I have met up with a couple of ladies who is in the beginning of their TTC. Some of them have not even started but is planning to conceive, and normally I’ll get so upset and frustrated with the questions, but for some reason I feel better about my situation, I think I have made peace with the fact that not everyone has problems, and that I can’t feel angry towards them. I also found that a lot of these ladies don’t even understand their own bodies, which is the scariest thought of it all. I sometimes wonder how many women is out there who don’t understand what their bodies are telling them, maybe I would have been uneducated about my body to if it wasn’t for the fact that I battled to conceive. Who knows, but I am glad that I have read everything there could be read. I just feel that knowing my body and understanding why I experience some of the things I do, makes a bigger difference than not knowing Anyway things have been hectic on my side, and fertomid has taken over my life. Ya well, 3 months have passed and no results yet for swallowing that little pill every morning, but I’m still going strong. Haven’t been able to go for acupuncture for a while due to work and family stuff, but will start again this week, or shall I rather say, will book and see when I’ll be able to find a spot. In a previous note I have chatted a bit about ovulation, and for some reason a couple of ladies has been asking a lot of questions related to temping and charting, so I decided to get the information and add this to the blog. It makes it easier if people want to read the information. We all just have a few fertile days in each cycle. By charting our information it will allow us to pinpoint the days we can conceive, but keep in mind, that this is an indication and for some it might not be possible to conceive on their own. By charting you’ll be able to find out when you ovulate based on your temperature entered as your temperature will rise closer to ovulation, and obviously blood test could also be done to determine whether you do ovulate. You will also be able to monitor your cycle regularity. A chart provides you with the opportunity to track and document your conception journey, and you will be able to print out the information once you need to have it available for an appointment with your healthcare provider, to enable you to provide all necessary information. There are many WebPages out there which can assist you in online charting, I only used the online facilities, but soon one tend to forget to record the details and I forgot the details when I had the time to record. So I made use of a printed chart, which I record my details on, and then retyped it into my online chart, which helps me, but what ever works the best for you. You’ll quickly realise which will be the best option for yourself. A lot of these sites will also be able to calculate ovulation detection based on your fertility signs you add into the chart, it tracks your cycle and provide you the option to go back into the details to monitor things like temperature, cervical fluids, when you use tests, what type of test you have used within the timeframe, and also when you have used any assisting medication. It provides functionality to graphically see your signs and some sites provide you with the feature to plan pregnancy test dates, track any factors which influences your fertility (Such as weight) and you will be able to calculate potential due dates should you fall pregnant. Well this is only mentioning a few, you will be able to go into the sites and see which the best chart is for you. What work for one doesn’t necessarily work for everyone!

Fertomid - 50

Hi you all,

It’s been a while since I last posted anything on my blog, I just didn’t have the time to capture any thoughts or notes, but today I made sure that I make some time to keep you all posted.

As you know by now, our doctor has discovered that I don’t ovulate as regular as what I should. Hey there were actually something wrong with me, I now know after how many years of going through all kinds of test, but I’m not complaining, at least I know now. So on Tuesday 6 May (last week) I got my new prescription from the doctor to start using Fertomid-50. I have to use this from day 5 – 9. Well this is only 5 days, so who knows, I officially took the first tablet today 12 May 2008, and will take the last one on Friday.

Anyway, I thought I’ll give you some information of Fertomid-50, which I’m sure some of you know by now, but for those who doesn’t let me share...

Fertomid-50 is similar in composition to Clomid-50, and is prescribed for the treatment of ovulatory failure in women who wish to fall pregnant. The side effects occur infrequently and generally do not interfere with treatment.

Common side effects include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Enlargement of ovaries
• Hot flushes

Less common side effects include:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Hives
• Inability to fall or stay asleep
• Increased urination
• Inflammation of the skin
• Light-headiness
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Ovarian cysts
• Visual disturbances
• Vomiting
• Weight gain

Once doctor will evaluate you for normal liver function and normal estrogen levels before considering you for this treatment, he will also examine you for pregnancy, ovarian enlargements or cysts formation. He will do a complete pelvic examination before each course of this medication. The treatment increases the possibility of multiple births. Also birth defects have been reported following treatment to induce ovulation, although no direct effects of the drug on the unborn child have been established.

Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (or OHSS, enlargement of the ovary) has occurred in women receiving treatment. OHSS may progress rapidly and become serious. The early warning signs are severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight gain. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal enlargement, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight gain, difficult or labored breathing, and less urine production. If you experience any of these warning signs or symptoms, notify your doctor immediately. The recommended dosage for the first course of treatment is 50 milligrams (1 tablet) daily for 5 days. If ovulation does not appear to have occurred, your doctor may try up to 2 more times.

Ferti-boost!

I guess some of you that read this page know exactly what I’m talking about if I say Ferti-boost, but the other may not know…. So let me explain

Ferti-boost is a natural hormone-regulating and stimulating product, for the treatment of infertility. You get a month’s course, designed to be repeated over a 3 – 6 month period, with 3 medicines each for the male and the female. The package comprises of a Homeopathic formula (x2) a Chinese Herbal formula (x2) and a Western Herbal Formula (x2). It is designed to help aspiring parents suffering from “Unexplained infertility” where more aggressive therapies aren’t indicated.

Founder of the LIFE CENTRE in South Africa, Dr Colin La Grange is a respected Homoeopath, Acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine. Carte Blanche, has aired two segments (22.08.2004 & 23.04.2006) on the success and uniqueness of Dr Colin's fertility treatments, highlighting success stories that are a result of a combination of the treatments offered at the LIFE CENTRE and the use of Ferti-boost. The second segment resulted in one of the biggest telephonic responses to an aired Carte Blanche segment in the program's twelve years on air.

They say Ferti-boost works on 5 levels as per the Ferti-boost webpage.

1. Ferti-boost stimulates the body's natural ability to produce and regulate the hormones necessary for healthy reproductive function:

• Oestrogen - for follicle and egg development and laying down the endometrial lining
• Progesterone - for maturation of the endometrium and sustain the pregnancy; precursor to both oestrogen and testosterone.
• Testosterone - for maturation and production of health good quality sperm and production of oestrogen
• LH - pituitary hormone for the release of the egg from the follicle at the time of ovulation and the stimulation of the follicle to become the corpus luteum; stimulation of the interstitial cells of the testicle for the production of testosterone
• FSH - brain hormone that stimulates the production of both follicles and sperm

2. The homoeopathic medicine in Ferti-boost aids the ability of the reproductive tissues to respond appropriately to the hormones when they are present in the blood stream, and to regulate correct feedback controls.

3. Ferti-boost prevents the negative effects that stress has on the reproductive function by reducing the levels of physiological cortisol to:

• prevent a drain on the progesterone levels, and therefore the testosterone and oestrogen levels
• normalise the blood sugar levels as the insulin cortisol ratio is brought under control to prevent insulin resistance often seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome

4. Chinese Herbal medication helps to re-balance the physiological system involved in the manufacture of blood and Qi of the "kidney" and "spleen" systems. These systems determine egg and sperm quality, as well as nourish the uterus. If improved, the uterine circulation and ability to make the proliferating endometrium can then convert into the secreting endometrium capable of supporting implantation. "Liver blood stagnation" is prevented, which in turn helps prevent the congestion and oestrogen dominance associated with endometriosis formation.

5. Western Herbal and naturopathic medicine provide the nutrients necessary for the building of sperm endometrium and eggs. They also provide essential nutrients such as the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids necessary for the production of eggs and sperm.

Most people will notice positive changes within the first month, such as improvements in well-being, energy levels and menstrual cycles. Ferti-boost is recommended as a three to six month program as the body takes time to regulate, and sperm take seventy-two days to be manufactured from stem cells to mature sperm. For women, Ferti-boost is designed to form one good quality follicle and egg per month, making sure the lining of the uterus responds by growing in the first half of the cycle and maturing adequately in the second half of the cycle thus creating a perfect balance.

For those who have used Ferti-boost before. Let me know what you think?

Just Life

Disappointed… Depressed… Sad… emotional… this list can grow to one endless thing. I can’t even try to explain how I’m feeling inside. In my heart I truly hoped that my luck has changed… but the only luck I have is “UN” luck… or that’s how I feel. Well 21 Jan 2008 was a depressing, emotional day for me. Had to be at the Dr for the results of all the testing, so got up early morning, got totally stuck in traffic, and got to work late… then I thought well, that had to be it for the day. I had at least the bad experience, so the rest of my day must be filled with joy and good things. So at about 9:00 off I go to the Doctor. Unfortunately for me, Hubby couldn’t go with. So I had to be brave and just do this on my own. Got there a bit early, so I had to sit and wait… every lady that came in, smiled and put their heads into one or other book, and never looked up. I was desperate to talk, but there were no one to talk to… It felt like hours passing, but in actual fact it was minutes, anyway, I went through to the consultation room … My heart pounded in my throat as if I was sitting and waiting in the principles’ office. I sat there staring at the traffic and every little bit of chaos on the road, when suddenly doctor came in. “is your husband here” came the question, to which I could only reply no. Well then, out came all the testing stuff, and the big explanations… You see, when a doctor takes out all these things it almost feel like evidence of a crime scene to which they are making a discovery, they start with the good news, and work it down towards the bad. Overall you’re fine… (What a relieve I thought)… but… why always but at the end of any sentence. Anyway, it looks as if I am fine; I once again have to go for 2 more ops. Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy, but don’t worry, the doctor said, this is for a good cause. Then came my 20 questions, but why, is this preventing us from having children, what is my chance of improving the possibility…. Etc…etc… and the overall answer is… well there is none… you see, overall things might look fine, but you never know what is happening inside… the only thing that worries me a lot is the fact that I have had these things done, and the outcome of it was clean… now once again I have to go. Over and above all this, physically and mentally I’m not prepared to. I just can’t. I know that people might think that this is cheap talk for someone that wants children, but I just can’t go through this now. Well on Hubbies side they want to do another semen analysis, as the current analysis shows that there is a current problem with mobility and quality. He now needs to go back for another test, which I think everyone knows that for a male this must be very traumatic. It’s really not the greatest news for anyone, as no one want to hear that they have any shortcomings. Anyway… this is life… So after the news, I returned to the office and worked like nothing has happened in my life. That evening on our way home I had to explain everything to Pieter (my husband), as I explained everything one could see that there is some worry in his eyes. He was concerned about a lot of things. Luckily I have a very expressive husband, who doesn’t really keep anything back… He then said, he really feels uncomfortable with the feedback, not that we don’t believe that it’s true or not, but he want to try homeopathic meds or maybe just get the input from our General practitioner (GP). So we got home, had load sharing… and then, the mean Mr cold grabbed me with both hands and I landed up in bed with meds. While at the GP’s office, Pieter decided to ask him to check out our results and provide us with his opinion. Anyway, he has now requested the test results, and I need to call to find out what is happening…