The beginning

I married the love of my life when I was only 20 years old. I knew the first time my lips touched his that it was the beginning of something remarkable. He wasn't what I expected, I couldn't have imagined someone so incredible. I fell in love fast. Once I met my dream man, I imagined our wonderful life together. I pictured a beautiful house, a few pets, 2 or 3 children, and a stylish minivan of course.

Well here I am, over 8 years after getting married. We have the beautiful house and two jack russell terriers, but no children. I thought we would have at least 2 babies by now, but we are childless.

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10 months ago I went to a new obgyn to ask for help. I told her that we have been trying for a baby and it's not happening. I have tried charting, temping, and ovulation tests, but it's not helping. My cycle is irregular and it seems impossible to know when (or if) I am releasing eggs.

After a pelvic ultrasound, my Dr tells me that I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Then she continues to tell me that I have an uterine abnormality. The ultrasound couldn't show which one I have for sure, but she says it's either a septate or bicornuate uterus. What does this even mean? I had no idea, these words did not make any sense to me. The Dr tells me I need to have a hysterosalpingography (HSG) which is a procedure in which ink is injected through the fallopian tubes so they can see the tubes and uterus. Sounded so strange to me. It sure did not sound like fun. She told me I was an 'unusual case' so I needed to see a fertility specialist and that she cannot assist me.

I knew I could not put off getting help any longer. This was 4 days before my 28th birthday and I felt like I was running out of time to make our dreams of having a family come true. What comes to mind now is why did I wait so long to get help? I was in denial. I thought I would get pregnant without medical assistance. I'm supposed to be a mom right now. I'm not supposed to have this problem. I shouldn't have to see a specialist, but I do.

I called 3 different fertility specialists to ask questions about the procedure I needed to have done, the costs involved, and I tried to figure out which one to pick. I decided and scheduled the HSG procedure. Once I have the HSG done, I will meet with the fertility specialist the following week to go over the results and hopefully have an idea on where to go from here.

A few weeks later, I had the HSG and then I met with the specialist. Meeting with him was a step in the right direction. He told me it's not if I get pregnant, it's when, how, and how much is it going to cost. The HSG showed I have an arcuate uterus. This is not abnormal, just a normal variant and it will not affect getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy.  I schedule to do some bloodwork and then plan to start meds the following month. Since my cycle is irregular, in a few weeks they will give me a shot to jump start it.

It is hard not knowing what will happen. I just want to know how to get pregnant. How do we make our baby? Where is the step by step guide for people like me? It's just not that easy.