FemVue

It 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.
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:

We move forward with medication as Dr. G is not concerned
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!

I’m pretty sure my doctor thinks I’m nuts. I emailed her after my massage/energy healer experience (click here if you haven’t read about it) and asked what would need to take place for us to get a better look at my fallopian tubes to see if there is a blockage. She responded with the recommendation of a sono-hysterosalpingogram, also known as a FemVue.

I’ve had friends do this and although not the best way to visualize the procedure, it can be a roto rooter for the fallopian tubes- cleaning any obstructions out so eggs can travel more efficiently. recall how unpleasant of an experience this is, but I know it’s what we need to do.

We scheduled it for the following week and my husband was gracious to want to come and support me through the procedure.

After the typical pleasantries with the ultrasound lady, who I now feel I have a relationship with, the doctor entered the room. She explained what would take place and what we are hoping to see.

Using a catheter placed through the cervix into the uterus, she will shoot a mixture of saline and air contrast up my uterus and into each of the fallopian tubes. The mixture will produce so we can see it on the ultrasound monitor. If there are any issues, the bubbles will not flow smoothly and they will investigate to see what the issue may be.

This whole catheterization process is not the most comfortable (similar but more intense/invasive female exam) and as she begins to insert the mixture, it feels as though I am peeing myself (in a weird way).

She starts on the left— no issues there and the bubbles flow easily.

Onto the right—no bubbles. There seems to be a block of some sort. WHAT? She tries it again and it flows much better. She looks at me and says: “looks like there was a small block of tissue or something on your right fallopian tube, but we were able to get it out with the force of the saline this second time and now it’s clear!”

There seems to be a block of some sort. Oh my gosh… WHAT?

She tries it again and it flows much better. She looks at me and says: “looks like there was a small block of tissue or something on your right fallopian tube, but we were able to get it out with the force of the saline this second time and now it’s clear!”

She looks at me and says: “looks like there was a small block of tissue or something on your right fallopian tube, but we were able to get it out with the force of the saline this second time and now it’s clear!”

I am amazed at this point. The massage/healer lady was right?

What would have happened if I didn’t go to this massage lady? The doctors weren’t planning to check for anything until after a few more rounds of Clomid, meaning 2-4 more months of trying and waiting.

Is it possible that God used this massage lady to speak to me about my body?

I take this encounter as a God-wink and am excited to know my fallopian tubes are now ready for action!

The rest of the afternoon was not pleasant as I felt major cramping, as the doctor said I would. The only position that felt good was on my side on the couch.

My husband felt horrible that I was in such pain and I only know this is the first of what’s to come with all the body changes that occur when growing a baby. I’m grateful to have him by my side through the pain and discomfort.