Saturday, June 7, 2008

An Improvement!

This has been my second cycle using diet, herbs, and acupuncture. I did not get pregnant, but I have noticed marked improvements in my cycles!

Prior to beginning treatment, I would spot for 7 - 8 days and then have a 2 day, very light period. What is the significance of that? It's an indicator that I did not build up a good lining in my uterus during my leutel phase. A baby can not implant in a teeny, tiny lining. A rich full lining is needed to provide a home for an embryo. Not only that, the spotting would begin early in the cycle, causing a short leutal phase, which is also anti-pregnancy.

Well, last cycle (my first using TCM), I went 23 days before spotting. Once the spotting began, it lasted just a few days and then a more normal period followed. This cycle, I went a full 26 days with no spotting, one day of spotting, followed by what looks like a "normal" period. I am beginning to improve!

So, I plan to continue with this treatment next cycle, with a couple additions. The biggest addition has to do with timing ovulation. The temperature taking helps me to know I have ovulated, but not until 3 days afterward (your temperature takes a dip at ovulation and then rises, but you can't be sure until it has truly risen for three days). Adding the Fertility Monitor will tell me of ovulation the day before it occurs.

Why am I doing all this? I know there are those of you who think, "You're trying too hard". In fact, several of you have told this directly to me. I have one response to that. It is from the book "Inconceivable" by Julia Indichova and when I read it, I felt like it came straight from my heart:

"Certainly, no one can guarantee that our efforts will crack the code and bring us the result we hope for. The only thing that is certain is that taking an active part in the treatment process leaves less room for despair. It creates opportunities we could not have anticipated. In the last seven years of working with people, it has become clear to me that sewn deep in the lining of the most unattractive garment - whether it's labeled infertility, fibromyalgia, depression or any other name - is a precious gem. Our task is to find that gem; discover what it is for each of us and to draw strength from the search."

Nothing I am doing is harmful or risky. In fact, it can only be beneficial: physically, hormonally, and emotionally. No time was so miserable as this last year, the year I tried to "forget about it". I'm sorry, but this heartbreak is unforgettable and when I was trying not to think about it, I was a numbed-out version of myself. The times it did cross my mind, I felt guilty and shoved it away. It was an awful way to live.

Now I am embracing this situation and all that comes with it. The knowledge, the experimentation, the good days and the bad. I no longer feel guilty for my days of longing, and overall I have been happier and more relaxed than I have been in a long time.

I would adopt a baby right now if I could. After all, I'm pursuing parenthood, not necessarily fertility. But adoption costs money that I do not have right now. So, in the meantime, I can go about this naturally. If God wants me to have my baby biologically, I guess I'll get pregnant. If nothing else, at least I'll have the healthiest body I've ever had.

________________________________________________

In an attempt to see where I have been and where I am going, I thought it will be helpful for me to list it here. Writing out my "plan" makes it formal and empowering!

What I did this cycle:

Entire Cycle -

Temperature taking and charting
Prenatal Vitamin each night
2 Times a day - Chaste tree (Vitex)

Before Ovulation -

3 Times a day: 3 tablets "Seven Forests Woman's Treasure" (Nii Bao Pian)

During Ovulation -

Slowly weaning off "Woman's Treasure" and starting "Health Concerns Woman's Balance" (Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San)
1 session Acupuncture

After Ovulation:

3 Times a day: 3 tablets of "Woman's Balance"
Beginning 2 Times a day and increasing to 4 Times a day: ProgonB (Natural Progesterone)
1 session Acupuncture

Additions for next cycle:

Entire Cycle -

Improving my diet, exercise, and relaxation

During Ovulation -

ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor
Pre-Seed

After Ovulation -

Progesterone Creme

4 comments:

Brittany said...

this is very exciting. i totally agree with you, doing something feels impowering. you go!

RMCarter said...

Thanks, Britt! Your excitement makes me more excited too! I really appreciate it. It feels good to feel good!

Looking forward to seeing you and the fam soon! :)

Lilypad Mom said...

I am so happy that things are progressing in a positive way for you! I can't wait to hear even more good news!

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
I was googling woman's treasure (Nu Bao Pian) and Clomid and found your blog. I was surprised to see how similar our situations are. I also have a light, two-day period, with spotting. It took a year to stop spotting before my period--I went through progesterone cream, vitex, red raspberry leaf, green tea, etc. My luteal phase was sometimes 7, 8, 9 days long. It is rarely over 10 days. I too am seeing an acupuncturist, have been for three months. I am feeling more confidence in myself through these sessions. Acupuncture is something I never thought I would do, but I would do anything to conceive. Right now, we have been trying for over a year. This month is clomid and HSG...It is good to know that I am not alone. All the doctors say that I am healthy--then what is going on with my luteal phase??? This is definitely a journey. BTW, I am also hypothyroid. Even though your testing was normal, you may be borderline--look into it. I keep praying--conceiving is a God-created miracle.

FAITH IN GOD MEANS HAVING FAITH IN HIS TIMING.