Been There, Done That!

In the past several years, I have received many, many sweet emails suggesting I try certain things to help me conceive. Because I find I am getting the same suggestions, I thought it might be helpful to spell out what I have tried, been tested for, or researched already:

- Most suggestions in The Infertility Cure

- Gluten intolerance: My anti-gliadin blood test showed normal results (3)

- Avoiding dairy

- The Fertility Diet

- Blood clotting disorders (I haven't ruled this out completely, but I feel comfortable about it right now.)

- Relaxation techniques and meditation (I'm open to using this in conjunction with treatments, but not as a stand-alone technique)

- Thyroid issues: Tested and confirmed "normal" by both eastern and western physicians

- Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs (Admittedly, I did not participate in this as long as is necessary to see significant results; however, I do not want to do it again exclusively. I would consider it in addition to western infertility treatments.)

I'm sure there are other things I have tried, and I'll add to this list as I remember them all!

The doctor has diagnosed me with unexplained infertility. So what do I think are my issues?

For sure, I believe I have luteal phase defect. I spot my way into a period and usually begin the spotting 9 days after ovulation, if not earlier. I am combating that issue with strong Progesterone supplements.

I also think I have a build-up of yeast in my system due to a lifetime of taking strong antibiotics several times a year. I'm not sure I have full-blown Candida, but I have begun taking supplements and high-quality probiotics.

Regardless of my issues, I honestly think I haven't conceived and carried to term yet because my life is on God's timing, not mine.

Frantically searching for that mystery cure causes me so much anxiety. I'm just not going to do it anymore. If I receive a new suggestion, I'll look into it if it seems it might be an issue. But I am not going to turn my life upside down. I'm not going to only eat raw food... or stand on my head... or any other weirdness like that. When I get these same suggestions, I can't send anymore long emails justifying why it's not an issue or trying to prove I've researched it already. It's too stressful. In a matter of a few days, I received 4 "suggestions". It gets tiring.

I am thankful for those dear friends (and some strangers) who have suggested ideas in the past. Because of you guys, I was able to get some of the answers above. A wonderful friend helped me learn about Candida, which turns out might be an issue. Another sweetheart suggested gluten intolerance, which I was able to be tested for and cross off my list. A childhood friend relayed her experience with blood clotting disorders, which I asked my doctor about right away. I am grateful people love me enough to try to help.

The purpose of this post is to put everything I have tried out there. I am hoping to cut down on hearing the same suggestions multiple times. Now, I can just link back to this post. :)

I also need to express the peace I feel with the treatment we are pursuing. Western infertility treatment got me pregnant once, and I believe it can do it again. It took me several years to have the money and the faith to try these procedures. Please don't question me about that decision. Whether it is another IUI or pursuing in vitro, this is the path we are going down at this time. We are confident this is where we need to be right now.

If you hear of something new I haven't explored yet, please send it my way. Just understand the peace I feel right now, and don't question or argue with our decisions. That is not the way to help. It fills me with anxiety and, as I've been told too many times to count, I'm supposed to "just relax" right??? ;)