It’s Success Story time (a day early)! Today, meet Tiffany! She blogs at PCOS Success! She is 25 weeks pregnant with her first son she is naming Bradley. Read on for her amazing story.
1. How long did you struggle through infertility?
It was two years ago that I decided to go off the pill but after 6 months and still no period, I got concerned. After vaginal ultrasounds and tons of blood work, I was diagnosed with PCOS.
2. What did you go through (as far as treatments, different doctors, adoptions agencies, etc.)?
After the blood work that helped diagnose the PCOS, my Ob also noticed high LFT (Liver Function Test). Because of this I was sent to a GI Dr. to get this problem “fixed” before my Ob would proceed with any ttc methods. With the GI Dr. I went through months of testing, ultrasounds of my liver and fasting of any alcohol or vitamins. But still…high LFT. It was very frustrating. After 3 months of dealing with the liver thing and getting no where, we found our RE. She told us that there is a link between PCOS and high LFT. We were frustrated because we felt like we had just washed 3 months of trying down the drain. Anyway she put me on a round of Provera to start my period, and scheduled an HSG to check my tubes. Hubs was also sent for a SA. Hub’s first SA came back with a low count. He was sent to a Dr. to see what the problem was. The dr. didn’t find anything horribly wrong and just gave hubs the advise of eating more healthy (cutting back on all the caffeine and alcohol). Second SA came back with a normal count. My HSG came back normal as well. I was very thankful. At that point I was cleared to start on Clomid. 50mg and using OPK. BFN. Second round Clomid 50mg using OPK and IUI. BFN. Third round, put on METFORMIN, Clomid 100mg using OPK and IUI. BFN. Fourth round on Metformin, Clomid 100mg, getting HSG trigger shot and IUI. BFP!
3. How did you handle disappointments through your cycles (natural and otherwise) or months of waiting?
There is really nothing that makes the sting of a negative pregnancy test go away. However, I do feel one of my greatest outlets was being able to find the humor in all my crazy ttc antics. To my husband and I, it was either cry everyday, or laugh everyday. We chose to laugh. Having the support of a wonderful partner is also key. When struggling with IF one can’t help but feel blame, shame, like it’s “all my fault”, or like “there’s something wrong with me, I’m broken.” But having a partner that lifts you and and really makes you feel that IF is something you BOTH are struggling with, not just the woman, is priceless.
4. What were the ‘stress-free’ techniques that you tried that helped you get through the cycle or time (yoga, meditation, acupuncture, support through family, friends & on-line, etc.)?
Tiffany's fur children
As funny as this sounds, blogging was one outlet for me. Writing out my feelings and stresses and concerns help me get through the hard times. Also, I am a HUGE fan of downloading the pod-casts on conceiveonline.com’s website. I would download them to my ipod and take long walks. It was so helpful listening to other woman’s stories and knowing I wasn’t the only one. My husband and I were are also each other’s workout partner. We would walk with each other almost every night and also lifts weights together when we had time. Lastly, my fur children can help me through anything!
5. If you could give advice for couples going through infertility now, what would it be?
My biggest advice, and what helped me through the struggles is, “Stay committed, don’t stay attached!” What that means is, stay committed to everything you have to do to get to your end goal. i.e. stay committed to taking your medicine, exercising, going to your Dr. appointments, supporting each other etc. However, don’t become attached. i.e. don’t buy baby things that will only sit in your house and haunt you, don’t pick out names, try not to put your life on hold etc. I know these things are easier said than done but they really do help. Also, just saying a daily mantra or affirmation, “I will become a parent, I will become a parent…” Will help remind you of your end goal. I always knew I would become a parent, I didn’t always know if I would get pregnant or not, but I knew I would be a parent, eventually, somehow!!
Thanks so much for sharing Tiffany! To follow her journey into motherhood, follow her blog!
Love her blog!