Lab Rats

Laboratory-malpractice-Maryland.jpgIt feels as though we are lab rats.

Hubby and I both went to CCRM for a morning of tests that will give Dr. G more information about the two of us and what might be the best course of action to take.

Starting with a urine sample to ensure I am not pregnant, I sort of thought it would be such a fun surprise if they came out and said, “well, we have bad news and good news. The bad news is that we will not be able to do any testing this morning and the good news is you’re pregnant!”

They didn’t.

I proceeded to have a Baseline Ultrasound ($400) where everything looked better than I expected. My uterine lining is thicker than normal and I had 7 follicles in one ovary and 8 in the other! The technician thought I was mid-cycle, pretty cool!

Not sure what that means for us though.

I then was pricked for a blood draw to test: ($555).

Hubby went for his test to see if he has any sperm antibodies that might be hindering the “egg search” ($117).

Then I was taken for my HSG, where they shoot dye up into my uterus and see it move through the fallopian tubes into the ovaries and then out into the body. I was able to see it on the screen as the dye was being injected and sure enough, it spread throughout just as it is supposed to. It was not as painful as the FemVue (the bubbles) I had done 6 months ago, just uncomfortable with minor cramping.

Here’s what I learned:

  • The uterus flips and flops on a regular basis and so today mine was tiled upside down essentially. The technician was not concerned as she sees them flip and flop almost daily.
  • I have a heart-shaped uterus (either a partial septate or bicornate uterus). Today it looks more like a “Y”. This is a bit more concerning.bicornuate_uterus.jpg
  • If Dr. G feels it’s too deep of a “Y” then there may need to be a surgical procedure before moving forward with any medication. A normal uterus is more of a triangle shape at the top with a stick coming out the bottom.

So either:

  1. We move forward with medication as Dr. G is not concerned
  2. Dr. G will want a closer look through a hysteroscopy (where he looks through a microscopic camera) to get a better look at what’s causing the “Y”.

It could be the way my uterus is formed, increased cells gathering or some mass resting on that part of the wall. With a Bicornate uterus, there are greater chances of miscarriage, breech birth, higher deformities and disruptions in the in-uterine development, and possible automatic C-section during birth.

Yuck, I do not like this news.

I am not going to get too wrapped up in the facts and details until I talk with Dr. G. Although it would stink to have to go in for another test procedure, I’d rather know what we are dealing with to ensure a healthy, safe home for our baby to grow.

Today, I go in for my annual OB-GYN appointment and get a full head-to-toe exam plus some more cell gathering and an additional blood draw.

Our follow-up appointment with Dr. G. to understand what’s going and the next steps won’t be for another few weeks (busy man), but I’m ok with that. Give me a chance to work on other things in my life and practice faith in God and what He’s doing and trusting in His timing.

Besides, I need a break from all this prodding and poking!

2 thoughts on “Lab Rats

  1. I know exactly what you are talking about. We went thru the same thing. And, if this Dr. G is who I think he is, he was our Dr too, and he was really good. Sticker shock, though, right? It really adds up! Enjoy your “break”. Praying for you and that this step is the one that works just right for you, even though it may be another journey…

    Like

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