Picture the scene. A cool but sunny day. October 15^th 2021. I finished my morning work ten minutes early, so I’m off to make myself a sandwich. Today, I did yoga, took the dogs for a walk, and changed the bed before I even started work. Today feels like a good day.

I sit on the toilet, as you do. Have to empty everything before filling up again, don’t you?! I get a text:
New / updated appointment notification from Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Use the link to see more information about your new / updated appointment.

It crosses my mind that it could be a Gynaecology appointment, but I also have a pain management clinic appointment coming up, so it could be that. The referral only went on the 6^th… Regardless, I’m already hoping it’s a Gynaecology appointment whilst I’m logging in, and also hoping it’s not too long after Dec 9^th when his semen analysis is done.

It was in fact a phone appointment for October 20^th. I was shocked. I wondered whether I’d got a cancellation or something. Or whether they took my initial referral date into consideration. Whatever the reason, I was please pleased to have an appointment before the semen analysis was even done. It was unexpected. It took me a good few minutes to realise that today is the 15^th so it’s only 5 days away.

It felt BIG, but it was also a massive relief because the stress of the constant chasing was finally over.

Let the appointment and testing commence!

The first Gynaecology appointment

The phone call happened on October 20^th as planned. She asked all of the questions you’d expect her to ask; previous pregnancies, intercourse frequency, smoking, drinking, medications, and family history of disease etc. She did already know about previous surgeries and mentioned me having had a J-pouch, like she knew what one was 🤞. She also recommended folic acid and not bothering with ovulation kits (because by the time you’ve seen you’re ovulating, it’s usually a little late to conceive).

She said she was sending me forms for further blood tests because the GP STILL hadn’t managed to complete all of the necessary tests. 🙄 She said she would also arrange the Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to have the dye put through my tubes. We went through the consent form on the phone and she signed on my behalf to save any additional waiting. She did warn me that it might take a while due to the waiting list. I said I suspected that was where the issue would be, and she told me that we would remain positive that all was OK. However, she did mention when we were ending the appointment that we should be entitled to a free go at IVF should we want it. So much for being positive!

Further tests requested

I received a summary letter and blood form a week later, but I was unsure when I needed to have the blood tests done. I called the GP surgery and the receptionist was unhelpful – what’s new? So, I headed to Google. Three tests have been requested to check estradiol, prolactin, and testosterone. I concluded that I needed the blood tests on day 3 of my next cycle.

• Estradiol is a type of estrogen secreted by the ovarian follicles. This test determines the ovaries’ ability to produce eggs (which is known as ovarian reserve). It can also help to verify if your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test was accurate.
• Prolactin is a hormone and this level is checked because high prolactin levels inhibit the secretion of the FSH (which triggers ovulation).
• Testosterone contributes to follicular development. If testosterone is high, it can inhibit FSH levels and the development and maturation of follicles.

A few days later, the request to book my HSG X-ray arrived. Much sooner than expected! So, I just had to wait for my menstrual cycle to begin so that I could get the tests booked in.

The HSG test is an X-ray procedure that is used to view the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes. A catheter is inserted into the uterus and then contrast dye is injected. X-rays are taken throughout so that the radiologist can see where the dye goes, or does not go, as the case may be. It is often used to check for blockages of the fallopian tubes. It can also help identify any polyps, fibroids, scar tissue, or abnormalities in the shape of the uterus.

It was a Monday when my next cycle began, but I was unable to book the blood tests. One of my dogs had started having seizures over the weekend, and I was not willing to leave her alone in the house. I wasn’t willing to let anyone else stay with her either. I was petrified that she might have a seizure and/or die without her mummy. She needed me, and I needed to be with her. I wasn’t willing to leave her alone, or even turn my back on her for more than a few seconds. I had the fastest showers known to man whilst my partner sat with her. I barely ate because of the worry. Booking blood tests that could easily be done the month after was not a priority.

I did book the HSG test because that was 8 days away, and I expected to have a better idea of where we were by then. I’d also told my partner that if she wasn’t better, he would be sitting in the car with her outside the hospital. Very sadly, I had to let her go on the Thursday night. The fertility stuff wasn’t really even in my mind. The loss of my beautiful baby girl was all my head and heart could feel.

I’d just about managed to pull myself together when HSG test day came – November 23^rd (next post). Staying strong for my other dogs and being grateful for the time I’d had with my Poppy had to be my focus. The whole ordeal had definitely distracted me from anything I might have ordinarily been thinking and feeling coming up to the test.