No, I'm not pregnant, but I've found a great
doctor. She is totally no-nonsense, talks really
fast, gives straight answers and information -
in short, my dream doctor.
She is the first doctor to load me up with
reading material including:
From the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
"Miscarriage: A Guide for Patients"
"Ovulation Drugs"
"Infertility: Coping and Decision Making"
"Ovulation Detection"
"Unexplained Infertility"
"Age and Fertility"
"Infertility: An Overview"
There was also a book she lent me which is
the closest to what I'm writing - more about
the physical and emotional aspects of miscarrying.
"Miscarriage: Women Sharing from the Heart"
by Marie Allen, PhD and Shelly Marks, MS (1993, John Wiley)
And here is the regimine she is putting us on ASAP:
1. She is putting me and G. on Doxycycline for 10 days
starting today. There is a theory there can be bacterias
in all the baby making stuff that could hinder proper
conception so they try to get it before everything starts
mixing together (my creative interpretation, not her
explanation).
2. She is putting G. on male pre-natal vitamins.
Basically lots of antioxidents including
C & E, selenium, lycopene, zinc, folic,
and an amino acid called L-Carnitine.
(ConceptionXR)
3. She is all for the baby aspirin and the acupuncture
and is sending me to an infertility acupuncturist
instead of the nice lady I've been seeing who tends
to look everything up in a book.
4. I have to start testing my urine with an ovulation
kit starting Day 10 of my cycle (next Thursday).
She recommended OvuSponse.
5. I have to get a follicle study Day 11 of my cycle
(next Friday) to see if the endometrium is looking
good. If not, she will have me start taking estrogen
vaginally. She noted that the pharmacist won't
put "take vaginally" on the bottle of pills
because technically they are oral capsules and
pharmacists cannot deal with the fact that she
is recommending I put them up inside of me.
6. Once I get the LH surge (right before ovulation),
we are to have sex 4 nights in a row. Oh, the
pains we must endure.
7. THEN I start progesterone supplements
vaginally 2x a day after the 4th night. Estrogen
won't interfere with sperm but progesterone
could so I have to wait until the day after
the 4-day romp.
8. 10 days after the LH surge, they start doing
hCG quant levels. Yay!
9. If they detect hCG, then they have me do
subcutaneous Lovenox which is like Heparin
which is what Courtney Cox finally took to
great success. Once I start that, I'll have to
do it throughout my entire pregnancy.
10. I know there must be a #10 - maybe it
is to remain pregnant and have a baby.
Great plan all round!
Posted by: Pamplemousse | July 22, 2005 at 03:05 AM
The doctor sounds very practical. I might try the vitamins for my husband.
Posted by: Em | July 22, 2005 at 08:18 AM
Excellent - what a thorough and proactive doctor. Glad to hear you've finally found someone who can help.
Posted by: Jen (yup, another one) | July 22, 2005 at 01:21 PM
This sounds like a great doctor and a great plan of action.
Posted by: OvaGirl | July 23, 2005 at 05:31 AM
Sounds like a great plan. I had 6 miscarriages in a row (8 total) and, now with lovenox, I am past the halfway point in this pregnancy. I am really hoping to hear you join me in this adventure soon
Posted by: Kristin | July 23, 2005 at 08:10 PM
Great. It sounds like a very thorough and no-nonsense approach. I hope the new acupuncturist is a good improvement and that you have much success with them.
Posted by: Sol | July 24, 2005 at 11:21 AM
Wow, what a comprehensive plan. I'm due to meet with my RE this week to discuss what next now that I've had a m/c post fibroid surgery. I think my body rejected it. That Lovenox is interesting because in The Infertility Cure they treated a woman who's body was rejecting her pregnancies with an herbal formula that included dongquai and finally she was able to keep pregnant. I'm on an herbal mix now that includes dongquai through my acupuncturist and I was told specifically not to take it during my period -- it has a blood thinning effect evidently. Watch out for taking blood thinnners with chinese herbs, okay?
Posted by: Ann | July 24, 2005 at 03:41 PM
YEAH!!! Someone that is going to do this right!!! Everything sounds like the RE I use to work for..My friend has a 6 mos. old now after taking Lovenox!
Posted by: Betsy | July 25, 2005 at 07:58 AM
I see that your doctor is really good and she knows what is she doing.My previous doctor put me through the same thing.And the drugs and the ovulation kits were of great use.So good luck.You are in good hands. :)
Posted by: Cara Fletcher | March 31, 2007 at 01:20 AM