This is the timeline of my fertility/infertility journey. I might do more in depth posts about particular aspects of it, but I think for me, organising it all into the timeline gives a fuller picture of how we've got to the point we're at now.
My periods started when I was about 12 and were irregular (as they often are for the first few years) For a little while, I had a period every three weeks, then I would have no period for several months. I wasn't sexually active so there was no chance I was pregnant. Physically my body was developing at a similar rate to my peers.
At around 17, I started taking the contraceptive pill as I had a long term boyfriend and we were sleeping together. The pill regulated my cycle and dealt with the PMT cramps and mood fluctuations I was getting (which were really unpredictable because my cycle was so unpredictable). The pill did make me gain weight and my blood pressure went up so after a while I was advised to switch contraceptive methods and I went for the contraceptive implant. This pretty much suppressed my periods completely which wasn't a problem at the time. I didn't lose the weight I'd gained, but I didn't gain much more.
That's the background, I did have irregular cycles which may have been a signal I would have trouble conceiving but it was put down to standard teenage irregularity and then was masked by the contraception I was taking.
So, here is the actual fertility bit:
2009 - married to Husband #1 and trying for a baby having had the contraceptive implant removed but no menstrual period since removal. As an aside, husband #1 had told me that he had experienced health issues in childhood which may have affected his fertility - at this point it could have been a combination of factors in both of us which were preventing us from getting pregnant, ie I might not be the problem.
2010 - still no period or pregnancy but I experienced a depressive episode and we decided it wasn't the right time to continue trying so I got an implant put in again while I worked on my recovery.
2011 - the marriage broke down and we divorced. I had STI checks done and everything was clear.
2011-2013 - Not trying for a baby at this time, practicing safe sex and had the implant removed to allow my cycle to return to my version of normal and give my body a break from the contraceptives.
end of 2013: engaged to the man who will become Husband #2 (aka THE ONE) and not using contraception. No regular or predictable cycle and no pregnancy. At this point it becomes apparent that it is me that is the problem. We went to the GP and were referred to the fertility clinic towards the end of the year. We go to clinic, have blood tests, semen analysis and an HSG (Hystero-salpingogram). Results all come back fine so we are given Clomifene to try for 6 months. We decide to wait until Feb 2014 to start the Clomifene to give me the chance to reduce my anti-depressants and so that if I did fall pregnant on the first cycle, I would be 12 weeks by our wedding and the dress, which I had already bought, would still fit. I experienced another depressive episode over that Christmas.
2014: With medical advice we decided not to continue trying to have a baby for the time being. Again, I needed to work on my recovery.
2015: After lots of support from my amazing GP, the psychiatry team at out-patients, sorting out my medication and joining a therapy group, we decided my recovery was going very well. In the summer we were referred back to fertility clinic. After reviewing our details, the fertility clinic were happy for us to begin the Clomifene with a day 21 blood test in cycles 2 and 3.
2016: Back to fertility clinic after still not falling pregnant with Clomifene. We were referred for IVF.
So that pretty much brings us up to date. We've been to the GP to sign the eligibility confirmation forms for the IVF referral (stating that we don't have any children already, that we don't smoke, that any resulting child will be well cared for etc) and had some blood tests done just to cover all the bases. The blood results will be back by Monday, then our GP will send the form to the consultant, he will fill in his set of test results and then send it on to the IVF clinic.
The consultant and the GP feel that we do have a very good chance with IVF. The consultant said around a 60% chance of success and my FSH levels are good. This really is our best chance to have a baby of our own. We just have to wait for the IVF clinic to contact us now.
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