Thursday 11 December 2014

The endometrial scratch biopsy - all you wanted to know (or the TMI post!)

So lots happened when I saw my specialist yesterday. One thing I really like about him, is he doesn't wave my concerns away, and he sees me and my history AND, he said to me quite bluntly, I have not given up on you yet! They are really wonderful words to hear when you feel so down about it all. When I  said I was happy to have the biopsy (and I was going to ask about it), he said he has had some success in the past doing this. I also said my husband was fed up and didn't want to do IVF anymore, and he agreed. He said we have given it 5 blastocysts (after this FET), and if it hasn't worked we should go back to what we know works IUI. He said in some women, the more natural approach just works better. He also said IVF had not been too great for me, and he with the expense, it just was not worth the risk. So no more IVF for this little chicken (after the FET). My husband is up to trying with IUI again as well - so I am not out yet!! He also is happy to do some investigations to make sure I didn't get an infection after the miscarriage, and make sure there is nothing obvious going on (which is why I have not got pregnant). So I have a way forward, and am very happy about it. Having said that, let's hope I don't have to go down that path, and the FET works. But it is nice to see that my chances of having another child are not over and done with.

Okay, so if you have read through all of that, here comes the TMI post. All about this biopsy. First thing to know, is that they harm the lining of your uterus. This causes a healing response which for some reasons increases the receptiveness of the embryos to implant. The theory is that inflammation and immune cells go to the site and this results in the more receptive lining. There is a bit out there, and I am getting my head around the science of it. It can increase implantation by 50%!! You have to have it done on a off cycle (so no meds, no stimming etc), and then do a FET the cycle after. So you can;t do it on a fresh cycle, and you can not do it on a medicated cycle.

So what is it like. Umm.. not very pleasant at at all. Turn away now if you are squeamish

Pretty much he had to get a tool to grab a hold of my cervix, so he could push through the brush (which is what does the damage). The minute that brush goes through your cervix, your whole body cramps (and keeps cramping), and it is very uncomfortable. He then literally brushes your uterus, and you can feel it. You can feel it pushing against you from the inside, and it is very weird. You do bleed, and I am still bleeding today. I did find I needed pain killers after the event (something I didn't know). Would I do it again? If it works, 100%. It isn't fun to do - but considering everything we have been through I would definitely say go for it, if you think it will help! so now I wait for AF, and my final final IVF cycle!

Sunday 7 December 2014

Exciting and unexpected news!

Okay, so first off I am not pregnant :) BUT!!! I do have some exciting news. I just got a call about being apart of an IVF trial. They are trying to see what helps implantation, and I have been offered a scratch biopsy as part of it. I was going to ask my specialist about doing the scratch biopsy (as I had heard it helps implantation) - now I will definitely get it!! I am still so stoked about this, as I really had no idea if they would agree to it. The stats I read is that it some studies, a scratch biopsy increases the likelihood of a pregnancy by 20%! I will work with that :)


Wednesday 3 December 2014

The last few months

I wish I had an amazing post, some amazing news, but it is not meant to be. The last few months have seen me go through two medicated FETs. The first was a single and the second was a double. All up (since my loss), I have had 4 failed IUIs, and 2 failed FETs. I am losing hope very fast. We have two frosties still, and I am taking a break. We have had a bit of a disaster at home, which has seen me moving our family from temporary accommodation, to temporary accommodation, while we await insurance to fix it. The problem is there is no accommodation available as it is December, so we are staying with family and friends. It is exhausting, the IVF is exhausting, and I just want to get to a good place mentally and physically for my final try. Yup, it looks like once we do the last FET, DH wants out. I am not ready yet to give up, hopefully next year brings some surprises with it. I am just unsure what else to do - I am getting some counselling to help me through things, and through that finding some more hope in this process.

Have a great christmas and new year, may all your dreams come true.