Let's push things forward

I've sat down to write a new post at least four time in the last two days.

I start then say to myself "I can't be bothered" and delete it. And, I've been awful at responding to comments, too. Sorry about that.

Maybe it's because I don't feel like I have a lot to say. Or maybe I've had nothing but negative thoughts in my head and who wants more of that?

I've actually stopped reading blogs that always seem so negative. Not because they were negative but because the negativity started to bore me. 

However, my spirits up today.

James and I saw my retiring OB yesterday and it was so wonderful. I showed him a picture of Ryan since he hasn't seen him for two years. We thanked him for bringing Ryan into the world safely. 

He did the normal GYN exam that I've been putting off. Most importantly though, we talked about infertility. My OB isn't an infertility specialist in any way but, he did have some valuable advice for us. 

He said he thinks the position of my cervix being the cause of my infertility is bunk. He said my cervix has always been high up (he would know, he's seen it more than anyone else!) and awkwardly placed. Some women are just like that. 

But, seeing as I got pregnant quickly three times in two years, he doesn't believe it's the cause. Internet search actually agreed that a tilted cervix isn't an obstacle for sperm that has tested normal (normal volume and motility). James' sperm has been A+ so they are likely getting to where they need to be.

He recommended doing a little experiment at home; semen liquefaction. He said  however long it takes to liquefy is how long you should lay with your hips elevated. 

How do you do this?

Well, you need a "sample" in a cup and see how long it takes to go from the white goopy stage to liquid stage.

If you've ever done an IUI or an SA, you probably already have these results. 

Fortunately, every single time we did an IUI, I asked for a copy of the SA. I was looking through them and it's taken anywhere from 60 minutes to 15 minutes to liquefy. 

So, for me to be safe, I should have my hips elevated for an hour. 30 minutes would probably do it really since only one was 60 minutes and the rest were under 20. 

He wasn't suggesting we skip IVF in favor of TTC on our own again. In fact, he encouraged IVF and said don't waste another day on IUI.

But, he said since we're taking off until the New Year, give his suggestion a try.

I also asked if any genetic testing was done on my miscarriage back in 2010. I don't remember he and I discussing anything about that after the D&C. My mind was elsewhere at the time because I had a baby at home who was only 4 months old.

Unfortunately, I never asked for genetic testing to be done. So I don't know the gender or what defects it might have had to cause the miscarriage (I was 10 weeks along). 

The other piece of important advice he gave me was to not bother with a regular OB when I do get pregnant. He said to go straight to a high risk doctor. Since I'm considered AMA (advanced maternal age) and I've had a stillborn, he suggested I see only a specialist and gave me a recommendation. 

Looking at their website just filled me with total peace. That's the practice for me, I can already tell. No doctor can prevent the cord getting wrapped around my baby's neck again but, this place specializes in nuchal cord ultrasounds (that puts my mind at ease right there) as well as AMA and RPL. 

And, they deliver at the hospital that is closest to my home. I was warned that if our baby is born in distress, he/she will be airlifted to the hospital where Ryan and Nathan were born because they have the best NICU in the area. But, let's hope it won't come to that.

Next month I meet with Shady Grove Fertility and I am so damn excited. After pouring through their website and facebook page and looking at their SART report I want to be their patient.

Looking over the paperwork they sent us to fill out, I just feel so much better about this place. 

I'm relieved I didn't start the IVF process with my old clinic. 

In other news:

Last night Ryan's pre-school had Curriculum Night. This is where the teacher explains what your child in learning and how he's learning it.

I got to speak with her one on one about Ryan, too. I asked her if he's a leader or follower in class. She laughed and said Ryan was the leader of the whole class.

This made me pause a moment, that's not what I was expecting at all but, I was thrilled to hear it. She said he's very popular with the other kids and he's always nice. She only had great things to say about him and it made my day. 

All in all, I'm feeling in better spirits than I have lately. 

You might notice I haven't commented on my weight loss journey. Erm... well... umm... the thing is...

How about we check in with that next week?

I just haven't been good to myself for the last week and a half so, I'm getting back on track.