Hello all!
We've finally got settled from our trip to Salt Lake. That was a wonderful trip filled with lots of learning and fun - will post more later. For tonight's post I'd like to share about the procedure I had done before flying out for our trip on Tuesday.
I'd like to explain what I understand about the test and what I experienced during my procedure. Basically the test is administered to see if you have any blockages in your Fallopian Tubes and/or any abnormalities in the uterus, such as endemetriosis or cysts. This is done by inserting a catheter into your cervix with a balloon on the end. The doctor fills the balloon to expand your uterus, takes some x-rays, then squirts the dye into your uterus. After taking some more pictures and watching the quick movement of the dye into your uterus, they can tell if there is any abnormalities.
Once I had been checked in and paid for the procedure (they want their money up front), I sat in the waiting room for about 20 minutes. Side note, it was pretty disheartening to see so many people in pain, talking about the meds they were taking and surgeries that were needing to take place - just a sad place over all. It made me even more nervous about the procedure.
What if we find masses all over my uterus? What if a tube is blocked? What if BOTH tubes are blocked?!? What if nothing is wrong??? Where do we go from here?
After calling my name, they led me into a tiny closet to put my gown on (side note: since we had been packing for our trip, all I brought was my wallet, phone, and keys so I wouldn't have to worry about bringing my backpack, etc. - talk about a sight to see. I had a very difficult time holding on to everything, including the gap of my gown. LOL!). The nurse then led me to the room where they would do the procedure. They sat me down and explained how the procedure would go. I then had to sign a waiver saying that I understood the risks and that I was voluntarily doing the procedure. Some of the risks included: spotting, heavy bleeding, cramping, and scratching of the uterine wall.
The doctor came in shortly afterward and explained to me, again, how the procedure would go. He had some difficulty getting the catheter in at first - talk about a weird feeling! Then he blew up the balloon - OUCH!!! I just remember the nurse telling me to take deep breaths. Yikes!!! It really hurt, but it's a pain I hadn't experienced before. Difficult to explain, for sure.
They then had me roll my hips to the right then the left and finally had me lay on my back to get a clear picture of what the balloon was doing in the uterus. Without me realizing it, he released the dye from the catheter. Talk about another weird feeling. It was like a flutter - definitely looking forward to feeling something like it one day when there is a little Rose growing inside of me and not some foreign dye!
The doctor told me everything looked good and that my tubes are open. No abnormalities of any kind. I voided my bladder and then took one more x-ray before leaving the office.
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Thursday morning I received a call from my nurse affirming what was said at the procedure. She also suggested that I be referred to a doctor that specialized in infertility. I respectfully declined and told her that I would be continuing to watch my health and take care of myself, hoping that we'll get pregnant naturally. We're looking at changing physicians in December (if not before) and beginning further steps with a new physician at that time if we are still not pregnant.
I have been utilizing an ovulation watch this month and hope that it will also be a tool that can help us in this journey. So far so good - according to the watch we are on Fertile Day 2 - we'll see what happens. ;)
We feel that since taking control of my health through exercise, changing my diet, taking good, whole food supplements, and decreasing my levels of stress that my body is changing for the good and the tests we've been taking part in are not showing any abnormalities due to these changes. Only time will tell although I hope and pray that our efforts are doing a good work towards our goal of a family. Please keep the prayers coming. Some days are better than others.
And FYI, I did have some cramping and spotting after my procedure but nothing outside of normal. I think it was pretty successful overall.
Until next time . . . adios!
We've finally got settled from our trip to Salt Lake. That was a wonderful trip filled with lots of learning and fun - will post more later. For tonight's post I'd like to share about the procedure I had done before flying out for our trip on Tuesday.
I'd like to explain what I understand about the test and what I experienced during my procedure. Basically the test is administered to see if you have any blockages in your Fallopian Tubes and/or any abnormalities in the uterus, such as endemetriosis or cysts. This is done by inserting a catheter into your cervix with a balloon on the end. The doctor fills the balloon to expand your uterus, takes some x-rays, then squirts the dye into your uterus. After taking some more pictures and watching the quick movement of the dye into your uterus, they can tell if there is any abnormalities.Once I had been checked in and paid for the procedure (they want their money up front), I sat in the waiting room for about 20 minutes. Side note, it was pretty disheartening to see so many people in pain, talking about the meds they were taking and surgeries that were needing to take place - just a sad place over all. It made me even more nervous about the procedure.
What if we find masses all over my uterus? What if a tube is blocked? What if BOTH tubes are blocked?!? What if nothing is wrong??? Where do we go from here?
After calling my name, they led me into a tiny closet to put my gown on (side note: since we had been packing for our trip, all I brought was my wallet, phone, and keys so I wouldn't have to worry about bringing my backpack, etc. - talk about a sight to see. I had a very difficult time holding on to everything, including the gap of my gown. LOL!). The nurse then led me to the room where they would do the procedure. They sat me down and explained how the procedure would go. I then had to sign a waiver saying that I understood the risks and that I was voluntarily doing the procedure. Some of the risks included: spotting, heavy bleeding, cramping, and scratching of the uterine wall.
The doctor came in shortly afterward and explained to me, again, how the procedure would go. He had some difficulty getting the catheter in at first - talk about a weird feeling! Then he blew up the balloon - OUCH!!! I just remember the nurse telling me to take deep breaths. Yikes!!! It really hurt, but it's a pain I hadn't experienced before. Difficult to explain, for sure.
They then had me roll my hips to the right then the left and finally had me lay on my back to get a clear picture of what the balloon was doing in the uterus. Without me realizing it, he released the dye from the catheter. Talk about another weird feeling. It was like a flutter - definitely looking forward to feeling something like it one day when there is a little Rose growing inside of me and not some foreign dye!The doctor told me everything looked good and that my tubes are open. No abnormalities of any kind. I voided my bladder and then took one more x-ray before leaving the office.
<---here a="" is="" it="" kinda="" like="" looked="" monitor.="" of="" on="" p="" picture="" the="" what="">
Thursday morning I received a call from my nurse affirming what was said at the procedure. She also suggested that I be referred to a doctor that specialized in infertility. I respectfully declined and told her that I would be continuing to watch my health and take care of myself, hoping that we'll get pregnant naturally. We're looking at changing physicians in December (if not before) and beginning further steps with a new physician at that time if we are still not pregnant.
I have been utilizing an ovulation watch this month and hope that it will also be a tool that can help us in this journey. So far so good - according to the watch we are on Fertile Day 2 - we'll see what happens. ;)
We feel that since taking control of my health through exercise, changing my diet, taking good, whole food supplements, and decreasing my levels of stress that my body is changing for the good and the tests we've been taking part in are not showing any abnormalities due to these changes. Only time will tell although I hope and pray that our efforts are doing a good work towards our goal of a family. Please keep the prayers coming. Some days are better than others.
And FYI, I did have some cramping and spotting after my procedure but nothing outside of normal. I think it was pretty successful overall.
Until next time . . . adios!
I remember going through that same procedure. Not a lot of fun but praise God there were no structural abnormalities. I know everything is so emotion packed and it can get crazy so I just wanted to let you and Karl know that y'all are in my prayers. God is faithful and even when things make absolutely no sense He is in control. Keep pressing on. Love you sister!
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