Dear all, I'm turning 38 this year and started ttc-ing since 2012 after I got married. Within 3 cycles of trying, I fell pregnant the same cycle I did HSG (a procedure to check for blockage in fallopian tubes where dyes are used and you will be scanned/x-rayed) and my gynae was upset coz she said I am not supposed to fall pregnant that cycle fearing the x-ray dye may not have completely been flushed out resulting in complications. In any case, I miscarried naturally shortly after at about 5 weeks to my gynae's relief. I was upset with her insensitivity and unloving attitude. So that was Sep 2012.
Changed gynae thereafter and started seeing a fertility specialist. We did 2 rounds of SO IUI (I had to jab myself daily up till ovulation, no big deal really, easy pen like jab and almost painless like a bite) and still to no avail. I was told I'm mildly PCOS and I have a super long cycle when without assisted with jabs. My cycles were as long as 52 days but I did chart bbt religiously and learn that my luteal phase is good, in the range of 12/13 days. Our menstrual cycle is formed up by 2 phases, the follicular phase which is the period where you menstruate and before you ovulate. The period after your menstruate is the luteal phase before next menses begin. Usually follicular phase may be inconsistent for some ladies who have irregular menses, but luteal phase is almost always constant with only a day difference between cycles. As long as your luteal phase is longer than 10 and shorter than 16 days, you have a healthy luteal phase. Tracking bbt allows me to be aware of my body and know that I have ovulated. Which is very helpful. Coz really, the fertile window is only 6 days max, the 4/5 days before you ovulate, the day of ovulation and perhaps the day after. Best is the day before ovulation. To know that, you wll have to track bbt for 3 cycles and see your own pattern. I use
www.fertilityfriend.com apps to track bbt. Really good, they analyse your data for you.
Anyways, beginning of 2013, we decided to change to another fertility specialist and started with one round of clomid cycle, where I fell pregnant only to get a chemical pregnancy with very low hcg and eventually menses started. That was May 2013 and my gynae classified this as a miscarriage as well.
Thereafter, we tried 2 rounds of SO IUI, first round failed coz I didnt ovulate at all. I was still tracking my bbt and it showed. Second round was good, fell pregnant with twins in late Aug only to discover blighted ovum at later scans. Waited a while more to make sure it was really empty sac before I did a suction D&C in late Oct 2013. So that was my third miscarriage.
We started seeing another TCM (if you are familiar with TCS Mark Lee who shared that both his wife and him had been trying for 8 years before they finally conceived story, you will be familiar with this TCM) at Upper cross street. Both hubs and I had to brew herbs and I am more than happy to do so as long as I see hope.
We planned to try again come March after we have tuned our bodies with the help of this fertility specialist TCM. So it was no longer as tensed as before. I was waiting for my menses to start, looking forward to a new cycle after my D&C. I was told the new cycle could start anytime from 4-8 weeks after the surgery. I started charting bbt again sometime in late Nov and when i saw lots of EWCM (egg whitish cervical mucus), I knew I was about to ovulate and that means i should be getting a period in 14 days latest. And from my bbt chart, true enough, my temp showed I ovulated the day after seeing lots of EWCM. We did the deed as a couple, without baby making in mind of coz.
And by the grace and mercy of GOD, we have been blessed! My hubs believe it was the TCM herbs that helped! He had some slight issue with sperm quality which can be easily resolved through the help of proper diet, TCM and supplements. And I reckon the same, plus I went on two weeks confinement after my D&C coz i was told a D&C is as damaging as having delivered 3 to 5 times. My mom did the confinement for me, with her fabulous cooking skills. I had lots of dang gui steamed threadfin, sesame oil chicken, pork trotters vinegar, herbal soup on daily basis and dong cong cai with lean pork twice a week. I believe this diet strengthened my body, plus my 'post natal' massage. Yes, I got a massage lady to do me for 3 consecutive days with the wrap. The massage is supposed to dispel wind and remove all blood clots if any. So you get a strong and clean womb with uterus back in shape to start with. Of course there was a follow up with my gynae two weeks after the surgery which showed everything in order.
This time it is all natural, and we are saying prayers daily to thank GOD for keeping us in his blessings all through this difficult journey. I have not passed the first trimester but it is the first time we came to this far (9 weeks+), seeing, hearing and measuring a strong heartbeat and I certainly look forward to each gynae visit to get assurance that little one is progressing well. Our daily prayers keep me sane, coz with my history of repeated miscarriages and coming of age, you can understand how every sign identified or missing can drive me mad! I was initially reluctant to say much since I have not come out of the woods so to speak till first trimester is safely over, and was afraid of taboo. But after reading some posts above, I felt the need to share my journey and keep everyone going strong. I hope I do not have to go through another round. Praying for God's mercy everyday.
I am sharing my story hoping that you will all be motivated in this TTC journey and know that you are not alone in this uphill task which many will not understand. To go through one miscarriage is painful enough, three is devastating. The pain will never go away but I know GOD has a reason.
Btw, we started seeing a new gynae for a change of environment and not be reminded of negativity. I love my gyane Dr Kowa Nam Sing from Mt E. Very reassuring and he makes me feel cared for.
As for the fertility specialist TCM, here's the contact:
Health & Beauty Pte Ltd
Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre
No 38, Upper Cross Street, Singapore 65344131 (by appointment only)
Consulting hour: 3-8pm (Mon, Wed, Fri)
Ask for Chen Qiu Mei yishi.
(it's along the row of shophouses located right opp Chinatown Point facing the multi-storey carpark)
May God bless all of you, and have faith.