What a pain in the Uterus!

I didn't think making babies would be so painful.
I'm not even talking about the emotional pain and stress of the process, because that's a whole different post.
I'm talking about the pokes, pricks, stirrups, cramping, et cetera that are, literally, a pain in the uterus.

Today I went in for a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), the last step before we will be referred to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. And then I'm sure the testing will resume.
I've had a ridiculous slew of lab draws in the last year, The Husband has become quite friendly with the plastic cup, and my lady parts have been examined from every possible angle. I have a pretty high tolerance to pain; I am no sissy when it comes to medical tests, but all of this poking and prodding doesn't feel good.
The Radiologist who performed the test today said, "Oh, you've already had a sonohysterogram, this should be a piece of cake." Hmm. That's not what I'd call it, Doc. Because I like cake. And I don't particularly like the feeling of having my uterus and fallopian tubes filled with contrast to the point that they feel like they're going to burst. To each his own, I guess :)

If there's an upside to all this testing, I think it might be that by the time I have my baby, the morning sickness, swollen feet, and backaches might not seem so bad!

Another One Bites the Dust

Another cycle, that is.

The spotting started. Oh, the spotting.

The spotting that always at first triggers the "OMG, is this implantation?" moment. And then it keeps going and feels an awful lot like a period feels. And then then period comes. With the tears.

My hubby and I have started welcoming my period with two of my favorite things. First we usually open a bottle of champagne. After abstaining from most alcohol for four weeks, we're ready to pop the bubbly. If we can't celebrate a pregnancy, we might as well drown our sorrows in our favorite alcoholic beverage without worrying about how it's going to affect sperm count or eggs for a night or two.

I also always use my period as an excuse to indulge in a latte or two or three. I am a big, big coffee fan. I am not a regular coffee drinker and never have been, but I love a good, quality espresso from my favorite neighborhood cafe.

Do you have any start of the cycle rituals? 

One Year: My Story.

This month marked one year. One long year. 

One year of unsuccessful baby-making. One year of peeing on sticks. One year of taking temperatures. One year of obsessing over cervical mucous. One year of a lot of hoping and a lot of disappointment.

My hubby and I had been married for just over a year when we decided that we were ready to make a baby. Looking back, I remember that excitement and feeling of "oh my god! We're really going to do this!?!" 

We had spent over seven years trying not to get pregnant, so I kind of imagined that the first time we had sex without using birth control would be it. It happens to teenagers all the time, right?

I remained optimistic the first few months after confirming via lots of internet searches that most people do not actually get pregnant the first month (despite what sex ed had taught me :) ) but being that I'm quite a planner, type A kinda gal, three cycles was enough time to stop casually "trying" and get down to business.

Then came the ovulation predictor kits, the basal body thermometers, and the Fertility Friend.

The lab draws, the semen analysis, the ultrasounds. 

This is not a story that I thought I would tell.

I come from a family of fertile females. My mom had babies at twenty-four, twenty-nine, and forty-one. I have too many cousins to count on my hands and feet. I have birthing hips!

I know people who have had fertility problems, but I never thought it would be my reality.

But here I am, one year later. Empty uterus.

...

I'm blogging because I don't know what else to do. 

I'm blogging because I need to talk, but I'm not sure who to talk to.

I'm blogging because I have a story and I know you do too.