Christian ladies TTC, we can encourage one another.

[Godsjewel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISgr8SgCYbY

 

[Godsjewel]

Hi ladies, I hope I can join you all.

A little bit about me: we started tried for DD #1 for about a year in a half...such a blessing from God we have got. After a "threatened" miscarriage in the beginning, and 5 trips to the Labor and Delivery to stop contractions, we finally got our son on July 28th...3 days before my due date...

We have prayed, and have decided to start trying for DD #2. We were very unsure, but have come to the conclusion, that we will just see what God wants for the both of us, to be pregnant or not to be pregnant. Technically the next cycle will be my "fully" first cycle TTC for #2. I am temping, and using OPK's, but I won't test until I am at least 18 DPO, if I make it there without a period!! I did however, test this morning, @ 11 DPO, and it was negative, but we shall see what happens.

Of course you can, welcome

My name is Sarah and I hope we can all be an encouragement to you on this journey for baby #2

 

[Godsjewel]

Hi ladies. I hope that everyone is doing well.

I recently listened to my pastor's sermon from this past weekend and I really enjoyed it so I thought I'd share. He entitled it "The Greatest Turn Around".

He preached about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I will try to draw out the key point he made.

He first started my saying how when he arrived after hearing of Lazarus' death Mary and Martha were not to pleased and basically said to Jesus had he come sooner, their brother would not be dead. There was so much that he pulled from this simple peice and it made me think about how Jesus has shown up in my life, not when I wanted Him, in fact "late" by my standards, but obviously right when he was supposed to.

Pastor made a point to say that sometimes Jesus is delayed in His coming because He wants to increase your belief, and that your belief is more important than you relief. He is willing to rish you enduring suffering to elevate your belief. He can't just show up everytime you want Him to, when you want Him to because if He did, you would walk away feeling entitled to the blessings and miracles as opposed to increasing your belief. I thought all of us ladies could share in and understand and appreciate this considering the journey we have been on and are going through, no matter the place in our journey we may be at.

This part game me chills. He said that when Jesus called Lazarus He had to be specific. He could not just say to get up, He had to use Lazarus' name specifically. Had he merely said rise, all of the dead in Christ would have risen (sound familiar?). This just reminded me of the power that God truly holds!

Pastor went onto say that another reason for raising Lazarus from the dead was because Jesus could not have followers talking about what they are not convicted of. If Jesus had followers like that, doubt would creep in. But because they have seen it with their own eyes, and not just heard it, they know it to be true.

Pastor explained that depending on the which text you are reading is may say that Jesus called to Lazarus, that Jesus lead Lazarus out of the tomb, or that Jesus showed Lazarus the way out. John saw Jesus call to Lazarus, so this must mean that Jesus was outside of the tomb, but in order to lead Lazarus or to show Lazarus the way out, that would imply that Jesus had to be inside the tomb. So how can Jesus be both inside and outside of the tomb? Pastor answered saying had this been one of the disciples, there would be a question raised here, but we're not talking about one of the disciples, we're talking about Jesus. And Jesus can be everywhere all the time.

Pastor also made it a point to say that Lazarus was a threat. He was a threat because now being raised from the dead, he was proof of Jesus and the miracles that Jesus could perform. In the same respect God has made you a threat, and since you are a spritual threat, the devil will attack you. But remember that you are more of a threat to devil, than the devil is a threat to you.

Pastor reminded us that when the devil attacks to remember that this battle is not yours, but it is the Lord's. He spoke of the story of David and Goliath, and how Goliath basically saw nothing in David and let him know just what he thought of David. David told Goliath, you come against me with a sword and spear, but I come against you with a name, the name of the Lord Almighty!

He closed by reminding us that there is nothing in life that God cannot turn around, and that he had proof. He said that if God can turn death around (the death of Lazarus), then there is nothing in life that God cannot turn around.

Ladies be encouraged today that you serve a God that can turn anything around for you! Be blessed!

AMEN!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us sister

Thank you Lord for already turning things around for the good!

 

[Godsjewel]

Hi Ladies!

I had my pre-stimulation ultrasound and blood work done today. The doctor said everything looked perfect with my uterus and ovaries and said I would have to wait to hear back about the blood work before moving on with the stimulation medication.

I just got a call right now from my IVF coordinator and she said my TSH levels and estrogen levels are in the normal range and it's ok for me to start the stimulation medications tomorrow

I ask that during these next couple of weeks, that you pray for my body to produce the right amount of eggs and good quality ones. Also, that I don't get any unwanted side effects from the medications.

Thank you all for your prayers, it means so much to me to have such a great support system and be able to count on you when I need it

 

[KitteyKat2010]

I have been praying and praying today.

I got a +OPK on the 17th of February and fertility friend "calculated" ovulation the same day as the OPK. And I had the stringy CM (fertile signs) and cramping on the 23rd of February.

I tested this morning and it was a huge

Now I really don't know when to test.

I hate having irregular cycles, but doctor said that everything is great with me. So I guess my cycles are just irregular, just because.

 

[ProfWife]

Sarah, that's wonderful!! I'm so glad you got good news today! Praying everything will go smoothly with the stimulation for some amazing eggs for you! How many days of injections before you'll know number and quality?

Kittey - Have you ever gotten a second opinion with your irregularities? (Stress, thyroid, etc.?)

 

[kelkel82]

Great news, Sarah! PTL!

 

[kelkel82]

Ladies, I'm back, and with so much confusion.
The RE just called with my blood test results from yesterday (after my discouraging scan) and my HCG is right where it should be. She warned that just because HCG is normal doesn't mean the pregnancy is healthy. I'm not bleeding or cramping, so I guess that's good. She scheduled another scan for Monday but basically told me not to get my hopes up. I'm so confused and I wish I knew one way or the other so I could move forward. I was ready to let go of this pregnancy but now I feel like we're in limbo.

 

[ProfWife]

Still praying for a miracle for you and for God's will to be shown to you.

 

[Godsjewel]

Sarah, that's wonderful!! I'm so glad you got good news today! Praying everything will go smoothly with the stimulation for some amazing eggs for you! How many days of injections before you'll know number and quality?

Kittey - Have you ever gotten a second opinion with your irregularities? (Stress, thyroid, etc.?)

It all depends on how my body responds to the medications, I can be on them anywhere from 8-12 days and then will have the egg retrieval. I believe they will call me later that day and tell me exactly how many eggs they retrieved and the quality of them. We are doing a 2 egg transfer, so as long as I have 2 perfect eggs, I will be a happy camper

 

[Godsjewel]

Ladies, I'm back, and with so much confusion.
The RE just called with my blood test results from yesterday (after my discouraging scan) and my HCG is right where it should be. She warned that just because HCG is normal doesn't mean the pregnancy is healthy. I'm not bleeding or cramping, so I guess that's good. She scheduled another scan for Monday but basically told me not to get my hopes up. I'm so confused and I wish I knew one way or the other so I could move forward. I was ready to let go of this pregnancy but now I feel like we're in limbo.

That must be very hard not knowing what's going on. I'm still praying for a miracle sweetheart

 

[Godsjewel]

Everybody loves the story of David and Goliath. The giant David faced was obvious. Goliath seemed to be an insurmountable foe. But what are your giants?

Oh, your giants are there, and they are probably many. Perhaps you have had much experience on the battlefield of infertility or pregnancy loss. You’re a seasoned warrior in a battle you never intended to fight. You’ve done all you know to do to ensure success this time. But time after time, your giant stands in the way and grasps victory from your hands. Perhaps you’ve survived longer and longer each time, butit’s never been long enough for your baby to survive. Do you tremble at the thought of trying to conceive again because you simply don’t think you can survive another disappointment? The giant of Fear is threatening to destroy you. Come against the giant of Fear in the Name of the Lord. Isaiah 9:6 is the armory where your weapon can be found. And His Name will be called…Prince of Peace. “I come against the giant of Fear in the Name of the Prince of Peace!”

Have friends and family become so uncomfortable by your tears that they have simply stopped coming around or have the invitations to family gathering suddenly disappeared? Are the giants of Loneliness and Isolation tormenting you and screaming out your name so loudly that you have begun to turn away from those you love? Come against the giants of Loneliness and Isolation with the Name of the Friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Are you collapsing at the feet of the giant called Weakness? Don’t feel like you’re strong enough to last for the duration of the conflict? Defeat the giant called Weakness with the Name of the Lord found Isaiah 26:4. You’ll see the giant of Weakness bow its knee to the Lord Jehovah, our Everlasting Strength.

But wait! There’s a giant that seems to scream more loudly and threateningly than all the rest. What about the mighty giant of Sorrow? It’s probably the largest and most powerful giant on the battlefields of miscarriage and infertility. It has defeated you time after time after time. No weapon you’ve brandished against it has accomplished much. Time after time, Sorrow comes against you. Time after time, you dissolve into a pile of tears and pain. Since you’ve begun the quest for parenthood, your heart has been blindsided with pain you never saw coming. Is there a standard to raise against this powerful warrior?

Take heart, hurting friend. Reach back into your quiver and pull out a mighty weapon. It’s found in Psalm 3:1-3:

“O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, ‘There is no deliverance for him in God,’ But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.”

Here, the same David who fought with Goliath is calling out to God at another point of conflict in his life. He’s telling God how his adversaries have increased and how so many are rising up against him that people are saying there is no help for him. Sound familiar? “Doesn't seem like they’ll ever get over losing that baby.” “I guess I’ll never be a grandparent.” The giant of Sorrow takes another step toward you. “The pain is so deep. The sadness is so profound. I’ll never be truly happy again.” Sorrow throws its head back and laughs at your pain.

But just as David did in the valley of Elah, join all the righteous warriors of the centuries and proclaim to the giant of Sorrow that God is a shield about you. Any fiery darts are forever extinguished when God Himself is your Shield. You may just hear Sorrow begin to take a step back. That’s not all. Is your head bowed down with despair and you can hardly lift your face to carry on with your day? Verse 3 says He is your glory and the Lifter of your Head. Come against the giant of Sorrow with the Name of God Almighty, your Shield. God Almighty, your Glory. God Almighty, the Lifter of your Head. The thundering you hear is the giant of Sorrow falling at your feet for all the armies of the world to see.

-Beth Forbus

 

[ProfWife]

Ladies...the HSG didn't go well.

The first thing the radiologist said was that my cervix was off to one side and my uterus is at a 90 degree angle to the right. The radiologist says that neither of those should be a fertility issue though.

However, he said there was scar tissue on my cervix (I've never even had a yeast infection to my knowledge...no surgeries or removals). At first he couldn't get the catheter in as a result. He finally got enough dye in to say the uterus looked good and what he could see of my left tube looked good (not sure what THAT was supposed to mean). He couldn't get dye to go "around the bend" to the right side. He didn't ask me to roll side to side or anything that I thought they would to attempt to force it.

Then as he was going over the results he said I had stenosis of the uterine cervix and would need to have my doctor go in and artificially dilate it.

I've never even HEARD of that. Does anyone have any information?

I'm absolutely distraught. It just seems more and more like I desire a child but cannot seem to have luck with my body doing anything right.

Both my sisters had children out of wedlock. One went on to have several more children.

Right now I just really feel like a failure, a broken woman who is apparently never meant to have children. Worse of all...my husband is at work - slammed - and I just can't bring myself to call him and ask him to come home. I'm just miserable.


BTW - no cramping during or after the procedure...hardly any pinches at all. The only blessing in the day that I can see so far. I was told no intercourse for 24 hours...but what's one more day...haven't been intimate since I ovulated anyway...doesn't feel like it would matter if we would anyhow.

 

[No Doubt]

Praying for you during your ivf journey GJ!

Kel, I'm sorry that the news didn't reveal anything of certainty, but I'm still praying for a miracle for you hun!

Pro, I'm sorry the hsg didn't go well hun. First I know your hubbs is slammed, but if you need him, call him. You never know, he may want to know and want to come home and be there with you. The choice is up to you, but I also understand if you just need a minute to yourself. We're all here as well. Secondly, your not a failure hun. Please don't ever say that again, or think of yourself that way again. I know it's hard, and I think we have all been in a place where we feel that way, but it's simply not true. I know that the news doesn't sound positive, but there may be something they can do to clear up the scar tissue. He said something about the doc dilating your cervix, maybe that's all it takes. The left tube looks good from what he could tell, I know, again...not the best way to say it, but it is better than blocked. I pray that God surrounds you and comforts you and provides you with peace. Sometimes I had to just allow myself to feel my emotions and then after going through the process I was able to develop a plan. Maybe you just need to take this time and then you and the hubbs can sit down and come up with your next steps. Just remember that this doesn't mean it will never happen. You may have to wait a little bit or try some different things, but it's possible. God knows the desires of your heart, and He know just what you need, exactly when you need it.

 

[ProfWife]

The process could take 4-6 weeks...an appointment a week. I'm about to take on a second job next week (lasts for 8 weeks). I don't have time to do these appointments. I don't see how it can be fixed right now. That means we'd need to wait until May to get something solved - - - which means I'll end up locked into next year's teaching contract...

I'm just so depressed right now and I know no one will even ATTEMPT to answer any questions until Monday...and even then they probably won't get to me. My in-laws come in a week...

This is just a disaster. I'm pretty much convinced I'm not going to get pregnant. Hitting 31 this year...fertility will drop every year...I'm beyond the "peak". And I don't think my husband is really that open to adoption (besides...I really want to have our own child in addition to adoption some day...there's something about the miracle that I honestly feel destroyed about not being able to feel).

I really feel like this is going to be the way it is...barren couple...no kids...and that means no grandchildren for his parents...

I've been screaming at the ceiling for hours. It isn't supposed to be this way...I never expected it to happen overnight. I also didn't expect to have these desires for years only to have door after door slammed on them. I know it's not a surprise to God; however, I also have 0 peace right now.

 

[Godsjewel]

The process could take 4-6 weeks...an appointment a week. I'm about to take on a second job next week (lasts for 8 weeks). I don't have time to do these appointments. I don't see how it can be fixed right now. That means we'd need to wait until May to get something solved - - - which means I'll end up locked into next year's teaching contract...

I'm just so depressed right now and I know no one will even ATTEMPT to answer any questions until Monday...and even then they probably won't get to me. My in-laws come in a week...

This is just a disaster. I'm pretty much convinced I'm not going to get pregnant. Hitting 31 this year...fertility will drop every year...I'm beyond the "peak". And I don't think my husband is really that open to adoption (besides...I really want to have our own child in addition to adoption some day...there's something about the miracle that I honestly feel destroyed about not being able to feel).

I really feel like this is going to be the way it is...barren couple...no kids...and that means no grandchildren for his parents...

I've been screaming at the ceiling for hours. It isn't supposed to be this way...I never expected it to happen overnight. I also didn't expect to have these desires for years only to have door after door slammed on them. I know it's not a surprise to God; however, I also have 0 peace right now.

I'm very sorry you are feeling this way, but believe me...there is hope.

This was my devotional this morning and I believe it's good for you to read.

When something in your life or thoughts makes you anxious, come to ME and talk about it. Bring Me your prayer and petition with thanksgiving, saying: “Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to trust You more.” Though the lessons of trust that I send to you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Well developed trust will bring you many blessings, not the least of which is My peace. I have promised to keep you in perfect peace to the extent that you trust in Me. The world has it backwards, teaching that peace is the result of having enough money, possessions, insurance, and security systems. My peace, however, is such an all encompassing gift that is it independent of all circumstances. Though you lose everything else, if you gain My peace you are rich indeed.

 

[ProfWife]

Sarah....that's March 1 of Sara Young's book. I read that immediately before going into the HSG. :-D Somehow I knew you'd post that since we both read it.

It's not that I don't trust God. That's not an issue. I'm just angry. IUI and IVF would both be pretty hard with the stenosis (although websites I've seen said it should have 0 effect on fertility). I have no clue how I'd even HAVE this issue. No infections, no biopsies, no problems with paps, nothing revealed on the two trans-vag. u/s's I've had done.

The more I research stenosis, the more I'm convinced that there's no way I could have it! Symptoms are usually a lack of period or very light flow (I have a heavy flow WITH large clots each cycle...easily predictable), pain during intercourse (nope...no issues), problems getting PAPs done (6 of them done, no issues, no abnormalities)...absolutely none of the symptoms line up.

I put a message in to my old GYN (the only place that's done a PAP for me) and I'll be calling mine here in town as soon as they get back from lunch to see if I can come in and get that checked or something. It just doesn't line up.

Plus, the comments the radiologist made about my uterus taking a hard right in my body...the doctor has never said that after either ultrasound set (wouldn't that be seen easily?!).

I guess I'm moving into a denial phase already...lol...geesh - I'm so sorry you ladies have to put up with me like this! I'm normally so optimistic and level. Today is just a REALLY bad day.

 

[Godsjewel]

Sarah....that's March 1 of Sara Young's book. I read that immediately before going into the HSG. :-D Somehow I knew you'd post that since we both read it.

It's not that I don't trust God. That's not an issue. I'm just angry. IUI and IVF would both be pretty hard with the stenosis (although websites I've seen said it should have 0 effect on fertility). I have no clue how I'd even HAVE this issue. No infections, no biopsies, no problems with paps, nothing revealed on the two trans-vag. u/s's I've had done.

The more I research stenosis, the more I'm convinced that there's no way I could have it! Symptoms are usually a lack of period or very light flow (I have a heavy flow WITH large clots each cycle...easily predictable), pain during intercourse (nope...no issues), problems getting PAPs done (6 of them done, no issues, no abnormalities)...absolutely none of the symptoms line up.

I put a message in to my old GYN (the only place that's done a PAP for me) and I'll be calling mine here in town as soon as they get back from lunch to see if I can come in and get that checked or something. It just doesn't line up.

Plus, the comments the radiologist made about my uterus taking a hard right in my body...the doctor has never said that after either ultrasound set (wouldn't that be seen easily?!).

I guess I'm moving into a denial phase already...lol...geesh - I'm so sorry you ladies have to put up with me like this! I'm normally so optimistic and level. Today is just a REALLY bad day.

hahaha! I totally forgot that you told me you read that devotional as well.

Wow, looks like you may need a second opinion. It's definitely a good idea to call your OB/GYN and discuss this, since everything previously seemed to be fine.

We all have been through those really bad days of ttc, but know that we are hear to listen and encourage any way we can.

Praying that this situation turns around soon and that the joy of the Lord will fill you and be your strength.

 

[ProfWife]

Waiting on the doc to call now. The nurse said she'd fax all the info to their other office (they only have providers every other day due to a split between offices). I should hear back by 5-ish EST. Last time they called even when they had no answers, just because they wanted to let me know I wasn't forgotten. Nice people.

Speaking of God's glory...how did Day 1 with injectables go? Feeling okay?

 

[No Doubt]

Pro, you sound like you're bouncing back already. We're all so vent as much as you need. You've done a lot of research and from your post I have to say that I'm leaning more toward your way of thinking about all of what the tech said. I definitely think they would have at least pointed out your uterus going to the right. I can remember way back when before I even started ttc, my gyn telling me how my uterus positioned just because, so I understand what you're saying about that. Maybe a second opinion is in the cards for you, couldn't hurt.