Kim's Infertility Journal

Charles and I wanted kids since we met. About 4 months after we got married in 1993 we began trying to get pregnant. All of our friends were getting pregnant and having kids and we were at a stand still, I didn't know what to do, so I went to see my Primary Care doctor. I knew my problem was ovulation. I was VERY irregular. Two or Three periods a year. Four if it was a good year. My mom had given me an article a few months earlier about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and it sounded A LOT like what I was having. I told her what I thought my problem was and asked about PCOS but she insisted that wan't my problem (without doing any tests). She had me take a drug called Clomid. That is a common fertility medication used to help aid ovulation. After 3 years I finally got pregnant with Elizabeth - it was a real surprise. I took 3 of those home tests just to be sure.

Elizabeth was only 3 months old when we began trying again. We figured that if I could get pregnant once then all our problems would have been "fixed" and have no more problems. WRONG. After 6 months I went back to my OBGYN and they started me back on Clomid for about 6 months. Nothing. They thought it best that I go see a fertility specialist - DUH. They referred me to Dr. Gabriella Gosman who is a Reproductive Specialist with the "University of Pittsburgh Physicians Deprartment of Reproductive Endrocronology and Infertility". January 10, 1998 was when I started with them. They took lots of blood, did a pelvic exam, a pap smear, a detailed medical history, x-rays, abdominal ultrasounds, .. the works. Well, I wasn't there an hour when they discovered through ultrasounds that I definately had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - pretty well advanced case. Not the worst they'd seen, but bad enough to prompt them to increase my dosages of medications.

They explained how they did things. in order to treat me I had to agree to their terms. No problems with that! First thing was Charles had to have his sperm tested, we expected it and he reluctantly agreed. (His little swimmers were just fine). Next, any medication or treatment would be followed closely by bloodwork and ultrasounds. Sometimes every day depending on the reaction or problems. I had to be available to come into the office as needed. Not a problem (I'm thinking these people have no idea how available I could be if it meant fixing me and having more children)

After a full cycle with NO medication or treatment, they would start me back on Clomid (much to my disappointment) but at a different dosage. They needed a baseline to see what my body does on no medication and what effect Clomid actually had on me. Turns out that it had no effect on my body at all. A normal women's cycle lasts for 28 days start to finish. Mine averaged 45-60. It was a long first year, mostly because my cycles lasted so long and they needed to test my system to figure out exactly what could help and what couldn't. Eventually they put me on a medication to bring on my period after a negative pregnancy blood test on day 28. That cut my cycle length to about 38 to 42 days.

We weren't having any luck with Clomid - not even at the highest doages. My body just would not produce any eggs. They decided on a more progressive treatment - Injectable medication called Gonal F. The first few cycles my system reacted to a little (not enough to get pregnant but enough to think that we were on the right track). Six months later with no baby on the way I was put on a drug called Metformin/Glucophage. With me having PCO, it might help break down my insulin resistance to aid the medications so they work more effectively. I had to be on the Glucophage for 6 months before adding fertility medication. (Another half year shot). They put me back on Clomid at a moderate dosage hoping my system would better react to it after being on the Glucophage. Nope. 3 cycles later we went back to the injectable medication. My body reacted a little more favorable now. Still not enough. It's been almost 4 years now. Elizabeth will be celebrating her 4th birthday this month and we were heartbroken. Tearfully we decided that enough was enough. It was becoming a financial burdon on top of being a horrible emotional roller coaster. There would be days I'd think "Okay maybe this time will be the one" and then that little home test would say no, not this time. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. We decided to finish out this course/cycle and be done with it. We were happy with our Peanut (Elizabeth) and counted our blessings that God was gracious enough to give her to us.

Well I did get pregnant with the triplets - it was a total surprise too. This cycle was odd to begin with. I was on a triple dose of the injectable medication which made my ovaries become overstimulated. The folicles weren't big enough to have mature eggs develop in them but there were too many small ones starting to grow so they cancelled any further medications and told me to take the "release" medication that will help the folicles that were swollen to shrink back to normal. Mature eggs would be released when taking this medication. I was told that the possiblility of getting pregnant on this cycle wasn't high. We had intercourse anyhow. Wee went on a camping trip the first weekend in May. I just had a "feeling" so I brought 2 home tests with me. Took one on Saturday and one on Sunday - both were negative. I was brokenhearted. I was scheduled to have my routine blood test drawin on Monday (day 28) and they'd phone with the results Tuesday. You have no idea how suprised I was when they said..