Persevering Through Recurrent Miscarriage and Infertility

In February 2007, my husband and I decided to embark on the journey of becoming parents. We got pregnant right away and I couldn't believe it!! At 6 weeks, I started cramping and bleeding and I just passed it off as a period and thinking the five pregnancy tests must have been wrong. We became pregnant again in July 2007 and I thought that this was it and everything will be OK. Mid-August I began bleeding again and had gone in for an ultrasound and there was no heartbeat. I was approximately 6 weeks pregnant again. The doctor recommended that we wait a couple of months before trying again but to our surprise I got pregnant again in September 2007! I was so excited and went to the doctor to get my hcg level tested and it was going strong at 4376 and I was 6 weeks pregnant. I went in 2 days later to have my hcg level tested again and it had gone down to 400 impending a definite miscarriage! My heart sank and the doctor told me I should visit an infertility specialist because I now would be in the "recurrent miscarriage" category.

We obviously weren't having any problems getting pregnant; it was keeping the baby that was the problem. I had been charting my basal temperature, using ovulation tests and I used so many pregnancy tests I couldn't count them all! I was obsessed with testing for pregnancy.



After the news from the doctor about my hcg level, I got on my knees and wept. I was angry that she said I was battling infertility- I was getting pregnant!! I prayed to God that he would reveal to me what needs to happen for me to get pregnant. Almost instantly after that prayer, I stood up and went to my computer and typed in low progesterone. I had a "gut" feeling that my progesterone level could be the culprit since I've had hormone level problems in the past that were diagnosed by an alternative healer. I read all of the information I could to investigate this "gut" feeling I was experiencing.

GET PREGNANT NOW!

In the meantime, I had gotten a massage from my Massage Therapist and she had mentioned that she knew of a couple that were having infertility problems and conceived while receiving acupuncture. She also said that persevering through recurrent miscarriage and infertility is heartbreaking and that I needed to talk to someone about my losses to help me grieve and move on. I've heard of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture before but have never pursued it until at that moment, I had nothing to lose!

I scheduled an appointment with a local acupuncturist and told her that I would do acupuncture but NO Chinese Herbs (I was so skeptical!). I began acupuncture treatments right away.



I also scheduled an appointment with a fertility specialist. After doing the basic run down of infertility testing, nothing abnormal was found (just as I thought). I had mentioned to the doctor that I really think my problem could be a progesterone issue and he said they'd eventually get to that test and he thought it was a possibility. Did I mention the first doctor that did the ultrasound after my second miscarriage said that progesterone probably wouldn't be the issue and to not put hope in this because there are no medical studies supporting this suggestion. I was furious! That is why I sought out a second opinion. Always seek a second opinion!

While receiving acupuncture every other week beginning in February 2008, I had also received a Hysterosalpingography (HSG) procedure from a radiologist that the infertility doctor recommended. The HSG procedure not only cost me $900 out of my pocket because my insurance didn't cover infertility testing (most insurance carriers do not) but he pointed out that my uterus and fallopian tubes were normal. This procedure involves a radiologist injecting dye into your uterus with a small tube and x-raying your uterus and fallopian tubes. It didn't hurt but was a little uncomfortable. It felt like light period cramps when the radiologist was injecting the dye. You are able to see the results immediately on a computer screen.

About a week and a half after the HSG procedure, I went in to get my progesterone checked seven days after ovulating. It is what I expected. It was LOW! I measured 10, which the doctor had said that prescribing me progesterone when I got pregnant again should help.

**Please note that this information is not to diagnose any medical condition, replace your Doctor's prescribed protocol, or replace any medical treatments for this problem. It is only a story of my journey in getting and staying pregnant and to prevent miscarriages.**

Persevering through recurrent miscarriage and infertility paid off!

I was pregnant when I had that the progesterone level test because 2 days later I had a faint positive on a pregnancy test that I had purchased through The Fertility Shop. I tested POSITIVE on the 9th day after ovulation. I knew I had ovulated when I did from charting my basal temperature and using ovulation tests that I purchased through The Fertility Shop also.

Because I had measured low for my progesterone levels, the doctor prescribed me 200mg of progesterone daily to be taken orally throughout my first trimester.

I began progesterone that day of the positive test. I also began acupuncture treatments and continued them throughout my first trimester. The acupuncturist recommended a Chinese Herb to be taken throughout my first trimester to help the baby "stick" to the wall of my uterus.



**Please note that this information is not to diagnose any medical condition, replace your Doctor's prescribed protocol, or replace any medical treatments for this problem. It is only a story of my journey in getting and staying pregnant and to prevent miscarriages.**

My baby boy, Asher, was born on November 14, 2008 weighing in at 8.2lbs and TWO weeks early! I had gestational diabetes and I was able to have a waterbirth with him, while following Hypnobirthing techniques. My birthing experience was amazing and I'm looking forward to sharing more about it very soon!

And I will say it again with JOY - persevering through recurrent miscarriage and infertility paid off. Don't let anyone EVER tell you anything is impossible!

Stop Miscarriages Now!

Check out this Handling Miscarriage article written by a dad.

Please DO NOT doubt the miraculous healing ability of our bodies when supported with the right nutrition, herbs, therapies, treatments, etc.

To this day, I am on Chinese Herbs and receive Acupuncture in order to balance my body systems so that low progesterone may not be an issue for me into the future.

Take charge of your life NOW and investigate how Chinese Medicine may help you in preventing miscarriages!

Please post any questions or similar experiences you may have had. I am more than willing to outline for you every single thing I did in order to get pregnant but I feel everything listed here is the most important information.

And remember...ALL of our bodies are different and my specific method may not work for someone else. But I feel that sharing this journey with you would encourage you that ANYTHING is possible and to NEVER, EVER, EVER give up!

Persevering through recurrent miscarriage and infertility WILL pay off. Please be patient and flexible- Trust God's plan and move forward!

**Please note that this information is not to diagnose any medical condition, replace your Doctor's prescribed protocol, or replace any medical treatments for this problem. It is only a story of my journey in getting and staying pregnant and to prevent miscarriages.**