All's Well So Far, How About You? Health Tips for fertility

Disregard the last entry.  I guess I didn't screw up the test stick.  It still shows me at high fertility status, and we're on day 9.

 :-) This was yesterday's, 

today it just has a 9 instead an 8.

I have been feeling GREAT, lately.  I've been full of energy and I've been so much happier.  My husband has notice as well.  No more mood swings.  lol.  Bless that wonderful man!  Today I've been exceptionally happy because I passed my national exam!! I don't have to study anymore! lol.  Now I just have to apply for my license and I'm set.  Like I said many times before, everything seems to be falling into place.  This could just be our chance! CJ said I'm going to jinx our chances with all this "it's going to happen this time" talk.  I smacked him (in a playful way) for it and told him that I don't believe in "jinxing" anything and that I do, however, believe in God's timing.  So, to make him feel better I'll leave my optimistic comments to myself and in prayer ..... and, of course, on here. :-)

I found a video that had GREAT suggestions to heighten the chances of getting pregnant.  If you are actively trying, and if you're reading this than most likely you are, that I highly suggest following some of these suggestions.  We want children more than anything, but we need to make sure our bodies are in top shape to create and carry a baby.  My husband and I have done the research a long time ago, so we already know the precautions and foods to stay away from and the ones to be best friends with.  After the video I will post a checklist, of sorts, to make sure important steps are not missed. :-)

How to increase female fertility. :-) They have one for men too. ;-)

There is also diets that are suppose to help boost fertility for men and women as well.  You can find those anywhere on google.  BUT make sure that the sites are known and their information comes from a fertility expert.  There are people out there that really have NO idea what they are talking about and try to tell you that certain to eat grass and wait till a full moon and walk backwards before you have sex.  lol.  Just stick to the facts from the experts.  Do the research and you'll be just fine. Here's a link to a healthy fertility diet: http://womenfitness.net/fertility_diet.htm

This is the link to the list I found below.  I couldn't find the original list that I thought was amazing, but this one is pretty close.

http://organic-nutritional-supplements.trevorz.us/2012/03/04/9_natural_tips_for_increasing_fertility_fast/

1. Try a recipe for sex

There are quite a few of them out there. A recipe for sex is basically a list of days to have sex on to try to get pregnant. My personal favorite is having sex on days 9, 11, 12, 14, & 16 of your cycle. Of course if you dont have a 28 day cycle this one probably wont work for you. Another plan is having sex every other day starting about day 10 of your cycle.

2. Try fertility charting

Fertility charting involves taking your temperature at the same time every morning before getting out of bed. You also observe for signs of ovulation and chart your cervical mucous pattern. Charting can help determine if you are ovulating and help you to pinpoint when ovulation is occurring.

3. Use ovulation prediction kits (OPKs)

You can buy ovulation prediction kits at your local pharmacy or you can find them even cheaper if you purchase them online. A day or two before you ovulate, your body produces a surge of luteinizing hormone, LH. OPKs work by detecting this LH surge. Follow the directions that come with your kit to determine how to read the test strips, what time of day to test, and also what day of your cycle you should begin testing. OPKs cannot confirm ovulation, but they can help you predict ovulation before it occurs. Used in combination with fertility charting, they are very effective in determining ovulation.

4. Get to an ideal weight

Many women do not want to hear this one, but being overweight or underweight can affect your fertility. Women who are significantly underweight or exercise excessively often lose their period all together. It makes perfect sense then that if you are significantly overweight your fertility would be affected as well. Losing weight if you are overweight is one of the best things you can do to improve your fertility. Sticking to a sensible diet and increasing your weight if you are underweight will also help. Weight issues can also affect your partners sperm, so if your partner is over or underweight encourage him to reach his ideal weight.

5. Check out your medicine cabinet

Certain medications can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the medications that you and you partner take. Even over the counter medications can cause problems. For example, medications such as tetracycline, erythromycin, and cimetidine can reduce a mans fertility.

6. Position yourself properly after sex

After your partner has ejaculated inside of you, get your partner to put a pillow underneath your buttox and try to hold the semen inside your vagina for about 15-30 minutes. This way the sperm won’t be able to drip out of your vagina.

7. Try a supplement

There are many over the counter natural supplements now that may aid in fertility.  Vitamin B6 may also be helpful with improving your chances of getting pregnant. Men should take a daily multivitamin and women should start taking prenatal vitamins when they begin trying to conceive.

8. Check your position

The best sexual position for trying to conceive is with the woman on the bottom. It may also be helpful for her to lay on her back after intercourse with her knees to her chest for fifteen minutes.

9. Talk to a naturalopathic medical doctor

Although many doctors will not investigate infertility until youve been trying for a full year, many will and even those that are more conservative with treatment may be able to offer you valuable insight and suggestions.

Your doctor can also look at related health issues that may be affecting your fertility such as thyroid disorders. Even infections and viral illnesses can cause problems getting pregnant. Your doctor can work with you to come up with a plan for you to get pregnant.

A naturalopathic medical doctor can give you and your partner a full workup to check for potential causes of infertility and natural remedies for you to deal with your infertility.

I really hoped all this info helped.  It really is very important that we be in our best shape before we conceive.  Our body is a gift from God, and I treat mine as such.  You wouldn't go rubbing a gifted diamond ring against concrete, would you? No, you'd take care of it and clean it.  Making sure it shines very bright.  Treat your bodies the same. It's a gift. Special and unique in it's own way. I wish the best for all of you and continue to pray for y'all's success. :-)

Good luck and God Bless,

Ashley

Fertile, I think, but Confused

So I did my second test stick, but I think that it was faulty.  It didn't look right like the one did yesterday.  I probably screwed up the whole reading for this whole cycle.  It said that my fertility status bumped up to high, NOT peak, today.  It's only day 7 of my cycle.  I guess we'll see what happens tomorrow, but I think it's best if I collect first, THEN test instead of just putting it in the stream.  That way if I have a faulty looking test stick, I still have some of the "first morning" sample left over.  Maybe I just ovulate way sooner than I thought and earlier than normal. Who knows? We'll see I guess in a few days.  If worse comes to worse, I'll just have to wait until my next cycle to try again, now that I know how to use the monitor. 

I know you can't really see it, but there's a faint line below the dark one.

This means low fertility. Today it moved up to the middle.

The way the test stick looks after use is kind of just like a pregnancy test.  It'll seep up and, on mine, one dark blue line showed up followed by another, less visible, blue line.  I guess the second line's shade changes according to your hormones.  


Well, I'll write a more informative post tomorrow, but I have to run to go to a neighborhood bar-b-que then go to a movie with some friends.  Wish us luck ladies, and we'll pray for the same for y'all!


Good Luck and God Bless,
Ashley

Opening Up a Dark Corner and Letting It Go.

Holy energy Batman!! I don't know what's going on, but I have TONS of energy! I haven't felt this good in a LONG time.  I think it has to do with when I was slightly depressed before I started.  I was being so hard on myself and didn't enjoy doing anything anymore.  So naturally, I just stayed home and wallowed in self pity.  In reality, I was being selfish.  Instead of focusing on what I have and the blessing God gave me, I was focusing on what he didn't give me and what I couldn't do.  A couple days before I started, I started looking at myself as a Christian and was very disappointed at what I saw.  I was full of hate for people who have hurt me deeply in the past, and I was negative about my life.  I started praying and asking God to forgive me for the way I was thinking and I change my way of thinking.  That Sunday my husband and I talked to the Pastor and asked about getting baptized together and decided we will get baptized next month.  The next morning is when I started my period.  Coincidence? I think not!  God wants us to praise him in our darkest hours and hardest struggles.  I realize that now.  He has his reasons for making all of us wait, even if we never understand why that may be.

When I was depressed, all I kept thinking about is what if I miscarried. What if I kept having miscarriages every time?  A few years ago, I took a pregnancy test because I was a few weeks late.  It was positive.  I was scared at the time because I knew my husband didn't want children any time soon and I didn't know how I was going to tell him.  I made an appointment to get a blood test to confirm it even though I had all the symtoms.  I knew I was, but I wanted the blood test for guaranteed proof for my husband before I told him.  The appointment wasn't for another week.  During that whole week of waiting, I was sick, had a constant migraine, and had really bad cramping.  I had a second hpt, because 2 comes in a box, and just before the appointment, I don't know why, I checked again.  This time is was negative.  I was so confused, but went to my appointment anyways.  The results came back and the doctor said that my body rejected the pregnancy and just absorbed it, I guess.  I never understood that explanation.  I ended up not telling my husband about that for a year. I don't know why I kept it from him.  My mom didn't even know about it until I went to visit her in North Carolina this past Easter.  Until right now, only 4 people knew about this. My husband, my mom, a friend, and that doctor.


For a long time I didn't understand why my body did that until I was diagnosed with Endometriosis.    There was nothing I did to cause it, and nothing I could have done to prevent it from happening.  The one mistake I made, then, was not putting God first in my life.  Instead, I ended up blaming Him and getting mad at Him.  I now praise him for giving my husband and I a chance to become closer in our marriage.  I mean, NOW he wants children, and we are closer than we've EVER been.  We are, also, closer to God, as a couple.  Maybe that's what God was waiting for.


Now, in the back corners of my mind, I still have a small fear that I won't be able to carry to full term.  What I NEED to do is lay all my worries and fears down and hand them over to God.  I don't need to worry about things that haven't happened yet or won't even happen.  I just need to focus on the present and taking care of myself right now.  I need to make sure that my body is the perfect and most welcoming environment to carry a child.  My heart is stronger than it use to be and, as far as I'm aware, my endo is at bay and my feminine health is the best it's ever been. God is going to bless me with something special and I just have to believe that it's going to be the most amazing experience of my life.  God is BEYOND amazing.  His love never fails and he know the the desires of my heart.  As long as I delight my self in the Lord, he will bring those desires to light.

Never give up. Your blessing could be just around the corner. :-)

I will continue to pray for all of you in hopes that your BFP will come one day soon and turn into a beautiful, chunky, bundle of joy. ;-)


Good luck and God Bless,
Ashley

Update and Prayers For Those With Infertility

Sorry it's so late, but I've been so busy and I finally have time to post like I promised I would  today.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to use my first test stick with my monitor today.  I misread the instructions and it actually asks for it on the 6th day of the cycle. Eventually, once the monitor learns and records my cycle patterns, it says that it could start asking for a "first test of the cycle" anywhere from day 6 to day 9 of the cycle.  I'm just praying that I'll only have to use this monitor once.  Then maybe again years down the road when we want a second child. :-)  BUT, let's just work on "numero uno" first. lol. I don't want to get ahead of myself.  


I'm feeling REALLY optimistic about this cycle. I don't know why, I just do.   It has seemed so nice and normal, not that I know what normal is like, I'm just assuming because I've felt no pain and it was nowhere NEAR as heavy as it use to be.  It's been amazing really.  I'm already done with it.  :-O  It's crazy really. The only thing I have experienced was extreme fatigue.  I've been SO much happier since I started.  My husband just told me that he's excited too, and feel optimistic as well.  That warmed me up and made my heart smile.  Everything seems to be falling into place.  God has been SO good to us.  I just can't wait to see what he has waiting around the corner.  

I found these 12 prayers for infertility and I found of them really comforting.  There's a prayer for EVERY religion.  One that I personally liked most was:

Lord, help me to know that You are enough. Take my eyes off of myself. Take my eyes off of the child I desire. Help me to delight myself in You. Mold the desires of my heart to be in line with Your will. I don't want to need to be a mother more than I need to be your humble, obedient child. I don't want wanting to have a baby to be a stumbling block between You and me anymore.

Lord, I want to give this desire, this drive, this ache up to You. Help me not to snatch it back as I so often do with the burdens I place in Your hands. Help me to be truly content with Your will and Your timing.

Lord, You know that I still desire a baby - someone to mold, teach, train, shape, guide, and help to grow in You. But until the day You give me that joyous blessing, help me to grow in You. Let me reach out to those around me. Let me witness and minister to the children You place in my path.

Lord, if adoption is the path You would have us take, prepare our hearts, and prepare the child who will share our home. If adoption is not Your will for our lives, keep me from pushing ahead of Your plan. Help me to stay submitted to my husband's will, and to Your will. If we are headed in the wrong direction, change our hearts.

Thank You for lifting my burden. Help me to keep You first! Let me seek Your face daily, and let me know that You are enough!

Here is the link to the website with the rest of the prayers:


http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/2008/09/Healing-Prayers-for-Infertility.aspx?p=12

A little motivation for everyone. :-)

I hope y'all find some comfort in these prayers and I pray God blesses you with the child your heart desires so much for.  If any of you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I'll will answer the best I can.  It's late, so I gotta get to bed and snuggle with my hubby. ;-) He has a 4 day weekend thanks to Memorial Day.  Be safe and have a fun filled and blessed Memorial Weekend!

Good Luck and God Bless,

Ashley

CD 3 and so much anticipation!

Here we are day 3 of my cycle and everything is going great so far.  It seems like it's SO much better than they use to be.  I know I keep saying that, but it's true.  I have, however, been extremely tired. I could sleep ALL day if I was allowed to. lol. But, I have to work today. Well more like volunteer because I'm still not getting paid yet. I'm not going to attend Taekwondo today either.  I mean it will be our first time attending the black belt club class (we finally got invited into it), but I'm just so dang tired. 

SO, 2 more days, I believe, and I get to use my first test stick for my fertility monitor!! YAY! I'm so excited. My husband is too, just as much as I am.  He looks at me different now.  With more excitement in his eyes and happiness.  I mean, I don't know if I was just depressed, but when I wasn't starting and as soon as we found out I couldn't have children (before the surgery), I felt SO unattractive. I felt like a failure as a woman, less than a woman.  I started asking him if he still loved me and if he was still attracted to me.  I got REAL insecure.  I know he would NEVER cheat on me, but at that time, part of me felt like I wouldn't blame him if he left me and found a fertile woman who could bare him children.  I blame the jacked up hormones too.  Apparently, I was a little crazy and I'm not afraid to admit it.  My poor husband had to deal with my major mood swings, but shortly after I'd always apologize for my actions.  I got really bad just before I started. Whew I'm glad that's over with. I asked my husband if I've been better since I started and with wide eyes he nodded really fast. LOL.

HAHAHA! I showed this to CJ and he laughed pretty hard. 

This is pretty accurate. LOL

I am so blessed to have such an amazing man who willingly stuck by my side through all of this. We are both can't wait to start trying again. We feel VERY optimistic about this cycle.  Now, the only thing I'm wondering is that if the fact he's having to ride his motorcycle again will affect our chances of conceiving.  I'm not saying that his boys are questionable at all.  I'm just curious.  I also just want everything to be 100% ready to go.  We both really want this to happen.  I'm still drinking my FertiliTea to keep all my stuff healthy and welcoming. lol. He's taking a multivitamin and we're both eating really well.  I was bored and ended up researching fertility foods for "happy swimmers" and stuff like that, and I found that the foods that we've already been enjoying was actually on the list. lol. Woohoo!!

I read that eggs, red meats, wild caught fish, and organic produce is great for fertility in men.  Good thing I've been on a deviled egg craze the last few months. LOL. I've also read that hot baths, motorcycles, and whitie tighties are bad for the boy's swimmers.  Well, we're 1 out of 2.  He hasn't riden his bike in 2 years, but since his Jeep died and I need to get to work somehow to help pay for classes, he had to renew his registration and start riding again.  He rides a crotch rocket.  I don't know what kind, just that it's REALLY fast.  Supposedly hot baths reduce the sperm count, the vibrations from a motorcycle damage and reduce count, and whitie tighties do the same.  Who wears whitie tighties anymore anyways? lol.  

Anyways, I'm not really worried about my husband's fertility.  I guess I'm still worried about my own and wondering if it's going to happen this time.  I'm praying that this time I'll get my bfp! No more negatives! AH I'm so nervous! Happy thoughts, ladies! Happy thoughts!!!!

I sure hope so!

Well, we'll see what happens ladies! I'm sure I'll post another entry when I start using the test strips for my monitor. I'll do a product review on the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor as well, after it shows my peak and I, hopefully, skip the next period. Cross your fingers and pray ladies.  I continue to pray for all of you for the best of luck and health.  

Good luck and God Bless,
Ashley

FertiliTea Review and Approval!

Okay ladies, as I promised, here's the review of the FertiliTea I've been drinking.

FertiliTea, an all-natural herbal tea to support reproductive health and optimize your chances of CONCEIVING!

• Doctor Designed to support overall reproductive health
• complete spectrum of fertility-enhancing ingredients
• Only organic and wildcrafted herbal ingredients
• Delicious mint flavor!

That is what's on the front of the golden bag. I was SO excited when I got this piece of gold in the mail 3 days after ordering. I started using it right away, about four weeks ago.  I started noticing changes after the first week of drinking this everyday 3 times a day.  Things just seemed healthier and happier down there. lol. I started cramping slightly after that week as well. Not bad cramping, but the kind that lets you know things are moving and starting to work.  I started to doubt it, but still drank it everyday because I thought it just maintained health. Plus, I love hot tea, and with a little raw cane sugar, it taste amazing. Four weeks of using this tea and I FINALLY started my period after not having one since January 4th. Granted, I had been chemically induced into menopause for 3 months, but should have started last month. I haven't been able to get pregnant due to endometriosis, but I had surgery and treatment to help.  I ordered the tea because I knew I wasn't starting when I should have and the doctor was talking about putting me on Clomid, but I wanted to try something more natural first.  I have always hated taking medication.  I'm not a tree hugger or hippie by any means (no offense), I just hate medication, chemicals, things that are unnatural. I truly believe this tea helped, ladies, and I believe it can help y'all as well. 

Pretty golden bag! I couldn't help it, but the song, "I've got the golden ticket, I've got a golden sparkle in my eye.." popped in my head when I opened it. I know I'm nerdy! lol!

This tea was designed by Amos Grunebaum, MD, an internationally recognized fertility expert. FertiliTea is the only herbal tea that offers a complete spectrum of fertility-enhancing ingredients.  Here are the ingredients and their purpose:

Chasteberry (VITEX): Stimulates the hormones involved with ovulations and helps restore female hormonal balance

Red Raspberry Leaf: A potent fertility-promoting herb and a highly nutritive ingredient.

Green Tea: A powerful antioxidant to promote reproductive health

Ladies Mantle: Helps regulate the monthly cycle and tone the cervix

Nettle Leaf: Rich in vitamins and minerals that are critical to good reproductive health

Peppermint Leaf: Gives a delicious flavor ... and serves as a sexual stimulant! ;-)

These are all the ingredients in the 3oz bag, which is a month supply.  All you have to use is one teaspoon per a cup.  Boil water in a kettle till boiling, then pour into a mug and steep the tea, IN A TEA STEEPER, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.  Strain out any leaves (the some of the pieces are so small it doesn't matter if it's left in there).  Drink 2-3 times a day and enjoy!! I preferred 3 because I felt the more I drank, the better it would work, and faster. It's just MY theory. Everyone is different. Do not reuse the tea in the steeper, change it out every time.

WARNING: Once you do achieve pregnancy confirmed by HPT or a doctor's visit, or even if you suspect you might be pregnant, STOP drinking the tea since it contains VITEX and red raspberry leaf.  Red raspberry leaf can induce labor or cause miscarriage.

You can get tea steepers, or infusers, online or at your grocery stores. I suggest getting them online. The ones at the stores usually drop a lot of the tea leaves in your cup. Not good.

This is a normal tea steeper/infuser. You just put the teaspoon of tea in the ball, close it, and drop it in leaving the chain hanging out for easy removal.

This is my tea steeper/infuser.  Why not have fun making tea, right? It's cute and floats in your cup like a rubber ducky. Once you remove the duck, it has a nifty little stand to hold it in.

I hope this review helped.  If y'all have any questions, just comment me and I'll do my best to answer them for you.  I hope and pray for the best for each of you and pray your dreams of conceiving come true soon and for me as well! ;-)

Here's the link to the wonderful Fertilitea:

http://www.fairhavenhealth.com/fertilitea.html?utm_source=backInStockNoti&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=backInStockNoti

Good luck and God Bless,

Ashley

Progress FINALLY!!

So after a few days of random cramps and bloating, basically PMS symptoms with no results, Aunt Flow FINALLY decided to show up!! I got a pretty bad migraine last night, when I haven't had one in Months, then realized why when I went to the restroom and notice some spotting. Now I get to use my Clearblue Easy Fertility monitor!! I've been drinking the fertilitea and I feel that is has definitely helped. So if you're having irregular cycles and trouble ovulating, give Fertilitea a try. It's about $14 on Amazon.com which is the cheapest I saw and I received it in 3 days after ordering.  You will need a tea steeper as well for this tea since it is loose leaf.

WOO!! I was so happy to hit the "I started today" button

P.S. This is an iPhone app called Period Tracker Deluxe for &1.99. It's a wonderful app.

Ladies, I can't tell you how happy I am that I started this morning.  I mean I started to spot last night and I started crying out of relief. My poor husband, lol, he just gave me a hug and a high five. I love that man.  


I just programmed my fertility monitor this morning and I guess in 5 or 6 days it'll ask for a test strip to check my hormone levels.  I praying this is the cycle. I know I should wait till I have at MOST 2 normal cycle before trying according to research, but my OB/GYN said it wouldn't hurt to try this round. So I'll take her word for it. :-)


I have a feeling that this might be it. I don't know why, I just feel healthier. As if my cycle has a purpose.  My husband are closer now than we've ever been and everything seems to be falling into place. I really pray this will work, but also because my husband might have to deploy again in February. I know that's a ways away, but I want him to be here for the first ultrasound and the first kick.  Plus, I'll have something else to keep my mind on while he's gone. Last time, it was just me and our dogs and let me tell you, it was LONELY. I mean, I had a job, but coming home by yourself and going to bed alone and waking up alone get really depressing. I had GREAT friends that kept me company as much as they could. This time, hopefully, I'll have a pregnancy to keep me busy and friends to help me out.


SO, back to the main topic. Since I started this morning, I'm still going to drink the Fertilitea, because it regulates the cycle, prepares the body for ovulation, and creates a fertile and safe environment for the fertilized egg to implant. I've also been taking prenatal vitamins for months now to make sure I have enough folic acid. Plus, the OB/GYN said that we could try even before I started a new cycle because I'd ovulate before I would start. She said the next time she sees me she wanted me to have a "bun in the oven", as she put it.  I told her I'd try my best. lol.

"Let's Make Babies" - "We Can Do It!"

Motivational picture really. lol!

Okay I'm going to have to cut it short today, but I'm going to post another entry after this one explaining the ingredients in the Fertilitea. Have a blessed day, ladies, and I'll be praying for y'all. 

Bring on the cramps! They are victory cramps in my eyes!

Be safe and God Bless,
Ashley

Anyone have jumper cables for my ovaries? ... hello?

Hello ladies and Possible Gents!!


      So, I had my appointment with my PCM and everything with my heart is fine, besides my BPM getting dangerously low every now and then throughout the day, but other than that, I'm fine. lol. Also, I asked her for a pregnancy test, "just in case" and like I thought, negative.  I just wanted to be sure.  I know I said I refused to be hopeful, but is it wrong to say I was a little disappointed? Oh well, one day.

Yes actually. My period, have you seen it?

STILL no cycle! I'm so frustrated with my lady system! I feel like my reproductive system is boycotting my need for a baby.  Maybe my uterus is vain and doesn't want to change itself so it's "teaching me a lesson" by not letting me put a baby in there to stretch it out. lol I don't know. I have to find humor in something, or I'd lose my mind and end up focusing on the negative.


Anyways, I've been researching different medications to "jump start" my cycle.  I know, I can't believe I'm resorting to medication as appose to herbs either, but the herbs don't seem to be doing much of anything as far as making my cycle start.  I can tell a difference in my "lady" health, but other than that, I got nothing. 

I took this today of my tracker.  It's actually been longer than that because the last cycle I had was Jan 4th.  Yeah, it's been awhile.

What I found in my research was a Rx called Provera.  Not the depot shot, but a pill.  It's a pill that helps you start 10 days after you take the last pill. I've read a bunch of reviews about it and some girls complained about it making them irritable, sleepy, bloated, etc.  Basically it's making them feel like they are about to start, PMS, so I don't see why they are complaining.  It's what they wanted.  Heck, I want that! My appointment with the OB/GYN is June 13th and I think I'm going to ask her about this Rx.  I wish I could start it sooner. I doubt she'd just fill me a prescription without seeing me. It's not like it's a controlled substance. It's more of a "Hey! Gimme my period!" kind of substance. 


I'm still drinking my Fertilitea and like I said I've notice subtle changes, but no cycle.  If any on of you has ever had Sleepytime Tea, which is an herbal sleep aid tea, then you know what Fertilitea tastes like. The taste is almost identical.  I'm drinking it 2 to 3 times a day.  Twice a day on days I don't have taekwondo and 3 on my relax and just study days.  Tonight is my last night at taekwondo because I'm testing for my yellow belt then just taking a break from it for a while. More like a financial break from it.  Those classes are not cheap by any means. 


I'm guess, at my appointment, she'll do a blood test to check things before putting me on anything. Which I'm not against. I just hating waiting that long for an appointment.  I'm going to have to wait longer for the results of the blood test and make another appointment to actually hear those results and then see what she'll decide to put me on.  

"Take a number? Let's see, A84. Okay sweet!! What number are we on? .....  J07? ..... *sigh* I'll get my sleeping bag. Wake me when it starts over."

I once read a friend's post that said having faith in God is also having faith in His timing.  I have faith in Him completely and know that he's going to bless me with something special.  All I need to do now is pray for patients.  I'll continue to pray for all the ladies out there having fertility issues and pray y'all are blessed with a big, chunky, happy, healthy baby one day. Good luck ladies and God Bless. I'll post again, hopefully tomorrow, but it may be a really short one because we're having a cookout here at the house with friends.  I'm making pulled pork! MMMmmmMMM! I'm excited! ;-)

Yours Truly,

Ashley

Still Waiting!!

I think it's a mixture of both. lol

So here we are 10 weeks and 1 day since my last shot of Depot Lupron and still no new cycle.  My OB/GYN told me that if I didn't start by now, mid May, to take a HPT test and if it's negative to make an appointment and we'll talk about taking clomid and other fertility treatments.  Well, I HIGHLY doubt I'm pregnant, I mean I have NO symptoms, so I went ahead an made an appointment. They can't see me till June 13th.  I'm an extremely patient person, but I've found myself quite the opposite when it comes to these appointments.  I'm tired of waiting. I wasted all my "wait" on my husband's last deployment. lol.  I have an appointment today with my PCM for a follow up after wearing a holter monitor because my "blackouts" have gotten bad when working out since we moved here to CO.  I mean, I know it takes a while to get use to the high altitude, but I should have been acclimated by now.  I'm going to ask her for a pregnancy test just in case anyways. I mean what's the worst she can tell me, it's negative? Though it would be a wonderful blessing and surprise.  


I have had a few symptoms though that worry me.  I've been having cramping lately, some that were pretty sharp, but not as intense as they use to be.  Part of me is worried that it's the endo coming back, but the surgery and treatment, even though it was only 3 months, should have made the majority of it go away.  I've been real tired, but I contribute that to my sleeping patterns, or lack there of.  Also, since I haven't had a job I've been home studying a LOT for my up coming exam, so lack of activity can make anyone feel more fatigued.  I haven't felt sick at all, maybe once or twice, but I have a sensitive stomach and I have always had heartburn.  


I know it sounds like I'm naming out reasons I'm NOT pregnant because, well, I have to.  We've been trying for a while now and I don't want to get excited and worked up over nothing, again.  The disappointment over a negative pregnancy test is hard to handle, even more so if I work myself up to thinking that it just might be positive.  I can't put myself in that position again.  I KNOW I'm not.  I don't know how, I just know.  My boobs don't even hurt. Yes, I said boobs, elementary, I know, but I prefer saying boobs than breasts.  It's less formal, which is what I want for my blogs.


Anyways, I just hope I hurry up and start already so I can use my Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor. lol. I mean, if I'm pregnant, then we've met our goal and I'll be the most excited woman y'all will ever see, but if not, then COME ON ALREADY!! Let's get this party started! Never in my life did I ever think I'd pray to start and be excited if I did because that means that I'm NOT broken. It means I'm working and I can hopefully make our dreams come true.  Wish me luck ladies. I'll see if I can get a test today, and also see if there's anything that can help me jump start this cycle like a good set of jumper cables on an old jeep!

Infertility Blows

Even after being off of birth control for 8 months, we still had no kids. We weren’t really trying, but we weren’t using protection either. I personally knew plenty of people who got pregnant while using protection.  I’m a product of that very same situation.  My mom had a 3 month old at home and got pregnant with me even when they used a condom. I guess I was persistent. ;-P.  So, why wasn’t I getting pregnant. 

Picture of "Fertility Angel" painting

After my husband deployed, I started working out more, but not over doing it, and eating healthier. I was determined to get pregnant when he got back. Before he left, he didn’t really want kids, but wasn’t against it if it happened.  When he got back, he wanted a baby as much as I did and wanted to start trying for one right away.  I was ecstatic when he told me that. So there we were trying to conceive, and then BOOM, a ruptured cyst, the next day while working.  I didn’t think too much of it, so we kept trying.  When the next cycle was getting closer I started “feeling” pregnant. Nauseous, tender breasts, etc. I was a day late, and we were both getting excited, then BOOM, another ruptured cyst. 

I could NOT get pregnant and I didn’t know why.  Girls all around me were announcing their pregnancies, and I had to keep making excuses as to why I wasn’t pregnant yet.  I was frustrated beyond relief.  FINALLY, my husband wants to actively try for a baby, and I can’t make one. What was wrong with me? My family is the most fertile bunch you’ll ever meet.  I mean, they sneeze and they’re pregnant.  I’m the only one left in my family without a baby. 

After finally getting to a OB/GYN and getting MANY tests, we found out that I had Endometriosis, and it was causing my right ovary to cyst up.  Apparently my left ovary is extremely shy and is quite lazy.  I had surgery to remove a big cyst and some of the endo, and had the last shot of my Depot Lupron treatment March 5, 2012, and I still haven’t started my new cycle.  I took a HPT and it was negative.  I’m very into herbal teas and bought a tea called, “FertiliTea” and it’s not that bad.  A little sugar and it’s actually pretty tasty.  I read the reviews on it and it sounds promising.  A GYN fertility expert created it and is doctor recommended.  I wanted to try this first, because my GYN talked about putting me on clomid if I don’t start soon, and I heard some bad things about it. I just want to try a more natural route. I’ve already had surgery and went through chemical menopause. I don’t want any more medication.  I will keep y’all updated on how well this stuff works. I just pray my husband and I conceive soon.  I’m tired of the disappointment of negative HPTs and not being able to join my friends and family in their pregnancy announcements.  We’ll see what happens. :-)