I have a lot to share as to being married to Allan for over two years now. I would have love to blog about our trips to Coron and Singapore. But that has to be sidelined for now because I am more eager to share to you my journey to getting pregnant and eventually being a mother to my now 4-month old daughter Chesca.
Of course, my journey to getting pregnant started with being married to Allan. I knew time was not on my side as I got married when I was already 35 years old. I had a physical check-up, which turned out okay. I then went to have my scoliosis check. It is still there. I was taught some exercises, which admittedly I have not done for quite some time now. More importantly, I was told that it would be okay for me to get pregnant.
I then went to an ob-gyne to inquire as to whether I was fit to be pregnant. To tell you frankly, it was my first time to consult with an ob-gyne. I know, I should have done it sooner.
Anyway, I was told to wait it out for 6 months from getting married before resorting to fertility options. I was told that it would be 1 year for those below 35. Since I did not get pregnant after 6 months, the next step was to check whether my husband and I can bear a child.
And so we went to Brokenshire Fertility Clinic. Nothing was found wrong with Allan and I. I forgot what procedure was done to me but essentially they had a dye flow through inside me to show that my ovary and fallopian tubes are ok. The funny thing about it was that I did not find it painful. Thus, I was told that I have a high tolerance for pain.
Thereafter, I began taking ovulation induction pills. Essentially, it is what it is - to induce ovulation. I had to count days and was in constant contact with my ob-gyne. Everytime I got my period was quite disappointing. But we were determined. This took place for 4 continuous months - pills, injections and negative pregnancy tests.
My ob-gyne then told us that the next step was for artificial insemination. They refer to this as IUI. So, we went through this procedure at Brokenshire. Again, it was not that painful. The actual procedure takes a few minutes only. But I have to lay flat for almost an hour and I took a rest in the afternoon.
We were really anticipating that this was it. Alas! It was not yet time. I told my doctor about it and she said that we will try it again next month thereafter. We asked how many times should we try IUI. She replied at around 3 or 4 times. We asked what would happen next if it would still not be successful? Then, the next step was in-vitro fertilization. We asked how much. Our ob-gyne replied at around P390,000.00. We did not have any budget for that.
So Allan and I discussed that we would try artificial insemination until we are allowed to. If I would still not get pregnant by then, we were okay with it and will accept such circumstance wholeheartedly. We were not that ready to resort to IVF.
My ob-gyne has also explained to us that there are cases where the spouses don't get pregnant but there is really nothing physically wrong with them.
While waiting for my next IUI procedure scheduled for October, I did not take any fertility pills and undergo any procedure. We just waited it out. Nonetheless, my husband said that if I don't get my period, I should still take a Pregnancy Test. Nothing to lose so to speak.
A few days after I should have gotten my period, I took a pregnancy test. Allan was out of town at that time. However, it turned negative. I informed Allan about it and rather asked why did I take it when he was not around. I said if it turned out to be positive, I wanted to surprise him.
Still a few days after that, I still did not get that period. And so on that Saturday morning of October 1, 2017, I again took a pregnancy test. And it was POSITIVE! Two straight lines indeed! Oh my, we were so happy! I then took another one just to be sure! It was still POSITIVE!
By God's grace, we were going to have a baby!
