“My husband and I started trying to conceive shortly after we were married in July 2012. We didn't want to wait to long due to our age. We used ovulation urinary tests. Early in 2013 I began to talk to my family doctor about our concerns with fertility. I was referred for an ultrasound which led to a discovery that I had a polyp in my uterus. In the meantime my hubby had a sperm analysis and I had some other blood work done and then we went to Olive Clinic in the spring for our initial visit. I had the polyp removed in the summer of 2013 and then I started taking supplements to prep for IVF. I did IVF at the end of Nov.2013 which I tolerated quite well. I found out I was pregnant Dec.11/13 and also had very sharp pains that same day. My TSH level results also came back as 4.9 when they were about 1.9 about 3 weeks earlier. My HCG levels were monitored and weren't rising as they should but they continued to rise slowly over the next few weeks. There was concern that my pregnancy may be ectopic. That was the most stressful part of the whole experience. I was also challenged by yeast infections. I had pms-type cramping for about a week before I found out I was pregnant as well as the weeks following. I started to bleed Jan.1/14 and the bleeding lasted about 3-4 days and a bit of spotting after that. I've done some reading about thyroid and pregnancy and wonder if that had an influence on my miscarriage. Since my miscarriage, I have been grieving normally I think. I still don't want to give up my dream of being able to carry my only child. My husband feels the same way. We have discussed adoption but are not ready for that yet. I wish I had tried the TCM approach prior to doing IVF. I just didn't know about it. My husband and I have decided to not do IVF again. I have also been reflecting on how my body has felt unbalanced for a long time now. I think it started when I was about 25 years old. Since then I just haven't felt like myself. Even if I don't have a child, I would still like to find balance in my body and address my concerns with my thyroid, digestion, and yeast infection issues. Working in Western Medicine myself, I have been skeptical about alternative or Eastern medicine approaches in the past but feel like I'm at a place now to be open to it.”
Vancouver Infertility Stories are actual submissions of women who will be coming to Yinstill to integrate complimentary and alternative care into their fertility journey. They are intended to be snapshots into other women's lives, to know that you are not alone. Please click Vancouver Infertility Stories to read more stories like this.
