My Journey to Motherhood – My IUI Success

Infertility stories can help someone who is struggling on the path to motherhood to have hope and to know that you are not alone with your struggle to become pregnant. Here is my story of infertility and IUI success. 

Becoming a Mother for me is something I’ve always dreamed of. Becoming a mother was not an easy thing and it’s certainly been a learning curve. Today I am sharing my story of Infertility and how I was able to conceive a child through successful IUI fertility treatment also known as Intrauterine Insemination. 

My Infertility Story And IUI Success

In 1999 aged 16 I had very irregular and painful periods. My doctor referred me to the hospital to have tests done including a scan. I went with my mother and drunk heaps of water as instructed. Following the scan, I was told I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and that there was a chance I would never have kids.

Years later I married and after repeated tests and investigations I heard about a fertility trial at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. I signed up and took medication regularly with the hope of becoming pregnant.

This did not happen!

Clomid And PCOS

I was taking part in a blind study and at the time I was unsure whether I was taking the Clomid medication or if I was having a sugar placebo. As it turned out I was not in the placebo group and regular blood tests revealed that I had not ovulated once in 18 months, not even with the Clomid medication.

There was no Clomid success with my infertility and Pcos polycystic ovarian syndrome and I was told there was little chance of having a baby on Clomid medication. 

Should I Adopt? 

My husband and I looked into the option of adoption. We were about to adopt a little girl named Lisa but sadly she died a few weeks before the adoption was finalised. We then rethought our plans and I decided to try IUI treatment.

I received IUI fertility treatment in 2007 in Hamilton, New Zealand. I had egg ovulation stimulation and Intrauterine Insemination and the treatment worked the first time. I was so so happy. 9 months later Sylvia was born.

IUI Success On First Try

In order to have Sylvia, I was given ovarian stimulation through daily injections. I had to have daily blood tests and scans to make sure I didn’t stimulate too many eggs. I remember going for my scan and being told the egg was ready. I had one egg and one chance. I was given Intrauterine insemination and despite being told the IUI success rate was only 10-20% my IUI was a success. 

Does IUI Hurt?

I was told that IUI would not hurt, however I remember feeling pain at the time of the insertion and I was also very anxious and emotional and in retrospect, I think that may have lead things to hurt more than usual. The pain was only for around 10 minutes and it was cramping like period pain. 

It had taken several years to get to the point of having a child. Following a new referral in 2006, I was told I was not eligible for fertility treatment until I lost 20kg in weight. This was the requirement at the time due to the risk of multiple births. I had to be fit and healthy. I did what I could and was blessed to have a beautiful baby girl.

Unexpectedly my marriage to my daughters birth father failed not long after she was born. Sylvia and I moved to the UK in 2010 to start afresh. Returning to my birth country was the best thing I ever did and I met John my now husband who I married in 2013. John is an amazing stepfather and loves Sylvia dearly. He is the best thing that ever happened to us.

The Hysterosalpingogram Procedure

To prepare for fertility treatment, I had to undergo quite a lot of investigations including putting dye into my uterus and fallopian tubes. This is called a Hysterosalpingogram procedure. Up until this point, all the investigations had been performed by females.

I was not expecting a male doctor to do the Hysterosalpingogram and was extremely embarrassed but I just got on with it. You have to if you want fertility help. The Hysterosalpingogram test was not very painful and successfully showed that my tubes were clear. I did not have blocked fallopian tubes.

Infertility Awareness

The whole fertility route is extremely stressful. I was required to inject and take blood tests every single morning. It was difficult getting out of work. I was the Head Teacher at a children’s centre but I managed to change my hours for a few weeks and get to the blood centre at 7 am each morning.

I think infertility awareness is important. My journey was an emotional roller coaster. I remember writing in my journal how much I wanted to be a mother. I also said and accepted that this may not be the case and prepared myself for the treatment to fail. i am so glad I had IUI success the first time. To my surprise, the treatment worked and I was so happy.

Fertility Treatment And Hope

Fertility treatment is not an easy road. It wasn’t for me but it was certainly worth it. Since marrying John I’ve been asked if and when we plan to have a child. We have thought about our options and for now, I am focussing on improving my health. We will see what happens in the future.

Sylvia is my world. She makes life interesting. I love being a parent. I have limitations but I’m a fantastic mother and she is a fantastic daughter. Fertility treatment was worth it, every stressful moment.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Angela

You may also enjoy reading the following:

• Uncommon Baby Boy Names
• I am the mother who wanted a baby
• My Journal Entry The Day After My Baby Was Born

Please pin this post and help spread awareness of secondary infertility and the ways one can successfully become pregnant with assisted IUI Fertility treatment!