Positive Vibes This Cycle

Last Friday, 22 March 2013, we went to MMC for my follicle monitoring (FM) and for a follow-up check up. MMC really is expensive in everything, huh, the cost of their transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is at P2,130.00.  Outside MMC, especially in our place at Laguna will cost only at P900.00-P1,500.00 but anyway what is important is the good result of my FM.

MMC Hospital Bill

Expensive really but DH and I are super happy with the result of my TVS. OB, too, is happy with the outcome of my TVS. I have produce 5 dominant follicles at CD15 as shown on my TVS result below. One of them, measuring 2.8 x 2.0 cm, is bursting anytime soon and the other four are still growing. She told us that because of my body responding with the ova-mit, I will no longer have to be injected with a higher dosage of an ovulation fertility drug. We can push through with our IUI just by ova-mit, decilone, premarin plus the pregnyl shot (to help in the releasing of my egg). OB opted not to give me a prescription of the pregnyl shot this cycle because according to her my follicles did not grow up simultaneously and giving me a shot this cycle will stop my 4 other dominant follicles from growing and releasing an egg. Thus, what we need this cycle is a good timing and prayers that will conceive naturally.

My TVS Result

OB gave us the usual timed baby dance this holy week. A baby dance on a holy week, yay, but according to OB, it is a must. She also gave me a prescription of the duphaston for 12 days starting from 26 March to 6 April 2013. My first time to take it for 12 days. Below is our expenses on the fertility drugs I have taken this cycle:

• Ova-mit (3x a day for 5 days - P100.00 x 15)    - P1,500.00 
• Decilone (1/4 tab a day for 8 days - P25.25 x 2)-        50.50 
• Premarin (2x a day for 20 days - P33.25 x 40)  -   1,330.00 
• Duphaston (1x a day for 12 days - P58.75 x 12)-      705.00 
• TOTAL                                                                  - P3,585.50

I have an additional antibiotic which was given to me by OB on and after my HSG procedure to avoid infection. The name of which is Klindex to be taken 3x a day for 15 days. The cost per cap is P56.75 and a total of P851.25 for the 15 tablets.

With the result of my Hysterogram and follicle monitoring this cycle, DH and I are in high hopes that I'll get pregnant anytime soon this year. We are earnestly praying to Father God that our time to conceive and be bless with our first child is coming. To God be all the glory and let His will be done.

My Hysterogram Result

I had my Hysterogram (HSG) yesterday, 15 March 2013, on my CD8 at Makati Medical Center (MMC). The procedure was performed by my OB. DH and I went to MMC as early as 9:30 AM. My HSG is scheduled for 2:30 PM but we were so tensed, excited and at the same time worried for another infertility issue to come our way. All throughout the day, while waiting for the time, I prayed for God's guidance and mercy that I will have a positive result for my HSG and spare me with a blocked tube/tubes.

Then came the procedure at the Radiology Department of MMC. OB was all smile, telling me that it will hurt at first like dysmenorrhea (never tried that thing though) and the verdict will be in no time once the dye is pushed through my cervix then to my tubes. I never removed my eyes on the screen in my left. I can see the thing inserted on mine then came the pain. On my mind, I panicked because it was painful and I am afraid once I freezed of pain, the dye will not go through. Luckily, OB told me it's done and asking me if I am okay because I was motionless and I did not react while the procedure is being done. She asked me if I felt the pain and I said yes. OB told me, I have with me two extraordinary fallopian tubes. The dye just went through my cervix then to my tubes in just one push. Meaning, they are very open for DH spermies to travel and meet my egg cell. I felt relieved and the first thing I said was "thank you, Lord". Thank you for hearing our prayers.

My HSG Result

First Push of the Dye

Second Push of the Dye

My HSG procedure costs us P6,092.35 for our hospital bill alone with MMC and P10,000.00 for the doctor's fee of my OB. A total of P16,092.35. After, my HSG, we went to OB's clinic at the 2nd floor. She told us that we have just to wait for my ultrasound which is scheduled next week, 22 March 2013. According to her, the concentration will only be on my part, if I am responding with ova-mit (clomid) since I am at maximum dosage. Our little babies has to grow into a dominant follicle to start with, not one but two or more dominant follicles. Timing is also one factor that we need for us to eventually conceive our first child. And this, we pray and offer to Father God that He continue to guide and bless us with our TTC journey. Let us do our part Father God and thy will be done according to Your will.

MMC Hospital Bill

I knew in my heart and I really can feel that we are very near to seeing our little "R". Mama and Papa is just too eager and excited to see, hold, pamper and love you too with all our hearts. In God's most precious perfect time, our little "R", you'll have a family in us. We love you and we are waiting for you down here on earth.

Work Up on the Go

Operation Egg and Sperm Cell Together as One

After so many stressful and depressing days, AF showed early as expected last March 8, 2013, a Friday. Thank God, AF was not delayed and came in time for my follow-up check-up with OB before the week days ended.

OB scheduled my Hysterosalpingography (HSG) on March 8, 2013, on my CD8 plus she gave me 3 kinds of fertility drugs to induce ovulation and thickening of my endometrium lining. OB RE prescribed me (1) ova-mit; (2) decilone; and (3) premarin.

Ova-mit

Ova-mit 50 mg is a brand of clomiphene citrate (clomid) that is being used mainly in female infertility to induce ovulation. In my case, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), I do not really ovulate on my own unless I take this drug. OB RE prescribed me to take the drug 3 times a day for 5 days starting on March 9 to 13, 2013.

Decilone

Decilone 4 mg was given to me by OB to help enhance the effect of ova-mit unto my follicles. OB aims that I produce not only 1 dominant follicle but more, thus, the ova-mit and decilone together. OB RE told me to take 1/4 of the 1 tablet once a day for 8 days from March 12 to March 19, 2013.

Premarin

Premarin is a form of hormone replacement therapy which consists primarily of conjugated estrogens. OB gave me this fertility drug to aid in the thickening of my endometrium lining so that when my egg cell and DHs sperm cell comes together implantation will most likely to happen and eventually result to pregnancy. OB RE required me to take the drug 2 times a day for 20 days beginning March 15 to April 3, 2013.

So many in my to-do-list, all for the sake of having a baby. Hoping and praying that my reproductive organ will respond to all the medicines OB has prescribed on me. I will be having my transvaginal ultrasound on March 22, 2013 to check on my follicles. Thy will be done Oh Lord, according to Your will.

In my heart, I have always prayed for a loving husband and a precious child to complete not only my whole being but a family I have always dream since my younger years.