When I jumped on the TTC blog-reading spree, the acronyms like OPK, AF etc was so confusing. But nothing was as confusing as 2WW. What the what, I thought to myself. I slowly learnt that it referred to the dreaded '2 week wait'. That is the time between you ovulate or when you've undergone a IUI or IVF and the date on which your doctor will advise you to take the home pregnancy test. All accounts of the 2ww mentioned that the wait is agonizing. And they are absolutely right. It is agonizing, since you can do nothing to improve your chances. I feel that I have an exam but I can't study and prepare before-hand. It is so frustrating. On top of it, I'm having terrible mood swings.
Yesterday, I asked my husband to pick up a packet of potato chips on his way back home. It was raining so he dashed back home from the train station, skipping the grocery store. And that started the stupidest of fights in a long(ish) time. I sulked, refused to talk to him and at one point in time, even stomped my foot.When it had stopped raining, my husband dashed to the store and bought chips which I refused to eat. This drama continued until late at night, when my craving won over my self-righteous anger and I happily devoured the entire packet. I was in such a good mood that I even let my husband take a couple of bites! I usually get these kind of mood swings when my periods are drawing near. Or is it the side effect of duphaston?
So the wait itself...I feel that I need to take a break from all the TTC related reading I've been doing of late. It has been comforting to know that there are many, many women who are going through this journey. At the same time, I feel that it has contributed to my obsession with everything related to IVF, pregnancies and babies. I feel exhausted. There are other things in my life that I'm not paying attention to. Those are the things that will keep me sane and will get me through to the next week and beyond. I'll continue to blog, but I'm going to cut down on the obsessive reading and researching.
Thursday 30 July 2015
Tuesday 28 July 2015
Being positive
It has been 5 days since the IUI. I continued to have spotting for 3 days, and I felt something pulling and stretching in my lower abdomen for quite some time. I went to the gym on Sunday but could only manage to walk at a very low speed on the treadmill for 15 minutes. Yesterday was a lot better, I walked for 30 minutes and was careful to not overdo it. I read somewhere that a an over-heated body is detrimental to a growing embryo. I know that I'm not pregnant yet and reading all sorts of conflicting advice on the net is confusing. I'm reading to crank up the intensity level today but not at the same level as before.
By nature, I'm not terribly positive. I have a tendency to obsess and worry about the small things. While browsing TTC blogs, I read about a woman who keeps a daily journal where she records all that she's thankful of. I liked the idea and have started doing the same. Rather than focusing on things that are missing (no job, no baby, no social circle in KL) I want to emphasize the positive things in my life and there are so many- my health, having a wonderful friend and companion in my husband, having incredible parents and in-laws, having friends I can blindly trust, having the opportunity to travel and explore the world, the means to lead a comfortable life...the list goes on. Thank you God for your many blessings.
I had a dream about a woman who's heavily pregnant. She didn't look like me, but in my dream I was looking at the world through her eyes. She's single and is travelling with her boyfriend. They suddenly have an ugly spat and she's all alone in a different country. If I had to analyze it, I'd say that the dream reflected my feeling that I'm alone. I'm not alone. I have support from all quarters, I just have to seek it.
By nature, I'm not terribly positive. I have a tendency to obsess and worry about the small things. While browsing TTC blogs, I read about a woman who keeps a daily journal where she records all that she's thankful of. I liked the idea and have started doing the same. Rather than focusing on things that are missing (no job, no baby, no social circle in KL) I want to emphasize the positive things in my life and there are so many- my health, having a wonderful friend and companion in my husband, having incredible parents and in-laws, having friends I can blindly trust, having the opportunity to travel and explore the world, the means to lead a comfortable life...the list goes on. Thank you God for your many blessings.
I had a dream about a woman who's heavily pregnant. She didn't look like me, but in my dream I was looking at the world through her eyes. She's single and is travelling with her boyfriend. They suddenly have an ugly spat and she's all alone in a different country. If I had to analyze it, I'd say that the dream reflected my feeling that I'm alone. I'm not alone. I have support from all quarters, I just have to seek it.
Friday 24 July 2015
Day after
It is the day after my first IUI, and what a difference a good night sleep has made! I feel refreshed and positive. The heaviness and soreness in my lower abdomen region has reduced considerably and I feel almost like myself. The spotting has gone. And there could me a teeny- weeny thing growing inside me in the next few weeks!
My husband and I discussed our experience with KL Fertility Clinic and Dr Prakash Nadkarni in particular last night. While my reactions were emotional, my husband was more pragmatic. We both agreed that Dr Nadkarni has been professional and we can't find any faults with his advice and suggested course of treatment (we've been checking the doctor's advise with my husband's aunt back in India who's an established and experienced Gynecologist and Obstetrician) His bedside manner could be better but it is more important that we get the right medical opinion and treatment. We'll continue to see him as long as necessary.
I'm going to err on the side of caution and am going to skip the gym today.
For those going in for IUI for the first time, do try to ensure that you can rest the entire day, especially if you are going to be sedated.
My husband and I discussed our experience with KL Fertility Clinic and Dr Prakash Nadkarni in particular last night. While my reactions were emotional, my husband was more pragmatic. We both agreed that Dr Nadkarni has been professional and we can't find any faults with his advice and suggested course of treatment (we've been checking the doctor's advise with my husband's aunt back in India who's an established and experienced Gynecologist and Obstetrician) His bedside manner could be better but it is more important that we get the right medical opinion and treatment. We'll continue to see him as long as necessary.
I'm going to err on the side of caution and am going to skip the gym today.
For those going in for IUI for the first time, do try to ensure that you can rest the entire day, especially if you are going to be sedated.
Thursday 23 July 2015
IUI and all the drama
My first IUI was scheduled for today. I was very nervous all of yesterday. In a previous visit, Dr Prashant Nadkarni could not examine me via a transvaginal ultrasound so he had decided to do both the examination and the IUI together under sedatives. Until today, I found the idea of being put to sleep terrifying. My fears, fortunately, were unfounded :)
My husband and I arrived at the KL Fertility Clinic by 7.20 am. We first deposited the sperm sample on the 6th floor where the clinic is located and then proceeded to the 4th floor to be admitted for the IUI at the KLSMC hospital. The nurses there were so warm and friendly; I immediately felt relaxed after meeting and talking to them. I was made to take off my clothes and wear a hideous hospital gown which is tied at the back. My medical history was taken and the nurse checked when I had last eaten and if my bladder was full. The anaesthesiologist came in shortly. Like the nurses, she was friendly and had a great bedside manner. She explained that she would make me feel relaxed and I would fall off to sleep quickly. I was wheeled into a room that looked like OT at 9 am. Looking at all the doctors dressed in their surgical gowns and face masks, I began to feel panicky. The anaesthesiologist put an oxygen mask on me and injected me with something. There was a sharp prick but it was just a second long. She asked me to think about my home in Delhi, think about the lawn. I remember telling her that there was no lawn but there was a balcony. She said, "Think about the balcony and the view from there". And that is the last thing I remember.
I know for people going through this for the time time, being sedated sounds scary. But trust me and trust the doctors, there is nothing to it. You just fall into a deep, dreamless sleep and it seems as if no time has passed at all.
Someone gently called my name and said it was all over. I woke up feeling groggy. I was back in the room and it was just 9.20 am! I had no recollection whatsoever of what had happened and how I got back to the room. I wanted to pee but the nurse asked me to wait. After around 30 minutes, she sweetly escorted me to the bathroom and helped me to pee. I was aware of what was happening but my energy levels were low, and things seemed to have slowed down. I was concerned to see blood when I wiped after peeing. The nurse told me it was normal. She said that the doctor had to go in deep in my case and that she would get me a pantyliner once I had changed back into my clothes. After that, there was nothing to do but lie on the bed and wait. My husband played games on his mobile and answered work emails while I was in a state of complete relaxation! I was given light snacks. I had just a couple of bites of the bun and some sips of milo. This would turn out to be a mistake as I would later realize.
My husband and I went back to the 6th floor to consult with Dr Prashant Nadkarni. He had briefly popped by my room before the IUI and had told me that he would talk after the procedure. The time again, I was disappointed by his lack of care and his inability to find time to talk to his patients. One nurse quickly told me what were the next steps, and that was that. I had questions about the procedure, the blood, the quality of sperm (whether it had improved since the last test) etc so my husband insisted that we wanted to talk to the man himself. The nurse said that it would be a longish wait.
It was already 11 am and my husband had not taken an off from work. I told him to go back to work and I would talk to the doctor and go back by myself. I was asked to wait in a small room where Dr Prashant Nadkarni rushed in for a brief while. His first words were- yes, you wanted to see me? This really annoyed me. I felt like telling him that you should want to talk to me and tell me how everything went even if it was a really simple 5 minute procedure. I quickly asked all of my questions. He said I was very tight and the cervix was deep so that's why the bleeding happened. He said that the procedure would have made things looser which would make it easier for me. I have no idea what is supposed to be easier- sex? childbirth? scans? The sperm test was ok, the count was up from the last time but it was still slightly short of the standard levels. He said all in all, my chances are pretty good. I can carry out my normal activities starting tomorrow.
I walked out of the clinic feeling dejected. Not sure why but I would have preferred the doctor to spend some time with me rather than me demanding that I wanted to see him. The entire time, he was talking to me, he was standing up which isn't conducive to a patient asking follow up questions. I kept telling myself that he's super busy and super important and super qualified. I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with him if the IUI doesn't work out. Lets wait and see.
So after walking out of the clinic, I booked a taxi and was waiting outside Wisma Perintis for the taxi. I was going over my meeting with Dr Nadkarni in my head when I began to feel whoozy. Spots began appearing in my line of vision and I knew I was going to faint. In my head, I was yelling shit and I began to call out to people on the road to help me. Suddenly, I was on the ground and was surrounded by 2-3 people. There was a nice guy who seemed like a college going student who gave me water to drink and helped me up. I asked him to call my husband. I don't know who he was but thank heavens for that boy. You were such a help, god bless you. My husband rushed back and picked me up.
Lesson from this- if you are being sedated (even if it is for a simple procedure) you should have someone around you all the time on that day. And also carry some toffees or chocolates. I suspect my BP or blood sugar was very low. I had hardly eaten the breakfast I had been given which was a mistake on my part.
This was the drama for the day. Luckily, I didn't hurt myself in that fainting spree. My thanks again to the boy who helped me.
How do I feel now? It is night and I still have some spotting. There is a heaviness in my lower abdomen and I'm not feeling hungry. Apparently bleeding and cramps are common after IUI. While the doctor told me that I could go to the gym starting from tomorrow, I'm going to listen to my body cues. If the cramping or heaviness continues, I'll skip the gym. I'm going to do some positive visualization at night before going off to sleep. Fingers crossed!
My husband and I arrived at the KL Fertility Clinic by 7.20 am. We first deposited the sperm sample on the 6th floor where the clinic is located and then proceeded to the 4th floor to be admitted for the IUI at the KLSMC hospital. The nurses there were so warm and friendly; I immediately felt relaxed after meeting and talking to them. I was made to take off my clothes and wear a hideous hospital gown which is tied at the back. My medical history was taken and the nurse checked when I had last eaten and if my bladder was full. The anaesthesiologist came in shortly. Like the nurses, she was friendly and had a great bedside manner. She explained that she would make me feel relaxed and I would fall off to sleep quickly. I was wheeled into a room that looked like OT at 9 am. Looking at all the doctors dressed in their surgical gowns and face masks, I began to feel panicky. The anaesthesiologist put an oxygen mask on me and injected me with something. There was a sharp prick but it was just a second long. She asked me to think about my home in Delhi, think about the lawn. I remember telling her that there was no lawn but there was a balcony. She said, "Think about the balcony and the view from there". And that is the last thing I remember.
I know for people going through this for the time time, being sedated sounds scary. But trust me and trust the doctors, there is nothing to it. You just fall into a deep, dreamless sleep and it seems as if no time has passed at all.
Someone gently called my name and said it was all over. I woke up feeling groggy. I was back in the room and it was just 9.20 am! I had no recollection whatsoever of what had happened and how I got back to the room. I wanted to pee but the nurse asked me to wait. After around 30 minutes, she sweetly escorted me to the bathroom and helped me to pee. I was aware of what was happening but my energy levels were low, and things seemed to have slowed down. I was concerned to see blood when I wiped after peeing. The nurse told me it was normal. She said that the doctor had to go in deep in my case and that she would get me a pantyliner once I had changed back into my clothes. After that, there was nothing to do but lie on the bed and wait. My husband played games on his mobile and answered work emails while I was in a state of complete relaxation! I was given light snacks. I had just a couple of bites of the bun and some sips of milo. This would turn out to be a mistake as I would later realize.
My husband and I went back to the 6th floor to consult with Dr Prashant Nadkarni. He had briefly popped by my room before the IUI and had told me that he would talk after the procedure. The time again, I was disappointed by his lack of care and his inability to find time to talk to his patients. One nurse quickly told me what were the next steps, and that was that. I had questions about the procedure, the blood, the quality of sperm (whether it had improved since the last test) etc so my husband insisted that we wanted to talk to the man himself. The nurse said that it would be a longish wait.
It was already 11 am and my husband had not taken an off from work. I told him to go back to work and I would talk to the doctor and go back by myself. I was asked to wait in a small room where Dr Prashant Nadkarni rushed in for a brief while. His first words were- yes, you wanted to see me? This really annoyed me. I felt like telling him that you should want to talk to me and tell me how everything went even if it was a really simple 5 minute procedure. I quickly asked all of my questions. He said I was very tight and the cervix was deep so that's why the bleeding happened. He said that the procedure would have made things looser which would make it easier for me. I have no idea what is supposed to be easier- sex? childbirth? scans? The sperm test was ok, the count was up from the last time but it was still slightly short of the standard levels. He said all in all, my chances are pretty good. I can carry out my normal activities starting tomorrow.
I walked out of the clinic feeling dejected. Not sure why but I would have preferred the doctor to spend some time with me rather than me demanding that I wanted to see him. The entire time, he was talking to me, he was standing up which isn't conducive to a patient asking follow up questions. I kept telling myself that he's super busy and super important and super qualified. I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with him if the IUI doesn't work out. Lets wait and see.
So after walking out of the clinic, I booked a taxi and was waiting outside Wisma Perintis for the taxi. I was going over my meeting with Dr Nadkarni in my head when I began to feel whoozy. Spots began appearing in my line of vision and I knew I was going to faint. In my head, I was yelling shit and I began to call out to people on the road to help me. Suddenly, I was on the ground and was surrounded by 2-3 people. There was a nice guy who seemed like a college going student who gave me water to drink and helped me up. I asked him to call my husband. I don't know who he was but thank heavens for that boy. You were such a help, god bless you. My husband rushed back and picked me up.
Lesson from this- if you are being sedated (even if it is for a simple procedure) you should have someone around you all the time on that day. And also carry some toffees or chocolates. I suspect my BP or blood sugar was very low. I had hardly eaten the breakfast I had been given which was a mistake on my part.
This was the drama for the day. Luckily, I didn't hurt myself in that fainting spree. My thanks again to the boy who helped me.
How do I feel now? It is night and I still have some spotting. There is a heaviness in my lower abdomen and I'm not feeling hungry. Apparently bleeding and cramps are common after IUI. While the doctor told me that I could go to the gym starting from tomorrow, I'm going to listen to my body cues. If the cramping or heaviness continues, I'll skip the gym. I'm going to do some positive visualization at night before going off to sleep. Fingers crossed!
Checking for ovulation
I went to the clinic on day 11 of my cycle which was 21st July 2015. The idea was to scan me and check for ovulation. After my disastrous experience with the first ultrasound where my bladder was so full that I couldn't even get up from the sofa in the waiting room,I was well prepared. Had just 2 glasses of water 45 minutes before my appointment. There was again a wait for Dr Prashant Nadkarni but not as much as last time. He quickly scanned me and was so happy with the results that he exclaimed, "Excellent!" Nothing gives a person such a big high as hearing his/her doctor utter this word! Both my ovaries were ready to produce an egg each, the doctor said that ovulation should happen very soon. To confirm this, he asked me to give a urine sample for testing. I did that immediately. I thought we would get the results quickly but I was wrong. After waiting for 30 minutes, I asked my husband to go back to work. Finally after waiting for 45 minutes, I was ushered into a room where Dr Prashant Nadkarni rushed in and told me that my test was negative.
Everything from this point on happened so fast. The doctor said he would induce ovulation so that it occurs within 48 hours. I would need to take the injection between 6-9 pm that day. I was given an ice box which had the injection (HUCOG 5000) along with instructions on how to prepare for IUI. Since I was going to be sedated, the list of instructions were very long. No eating from midnight, no passing urine from early morning, no cosmetics/perfumes/jewellry etc on that day. I always had the highest regard for Dr Prashant Nadkarni but on this day, it appeared that he was in a hurry and he just gave me basic instructions and then told me that the nurse would explain everything else to me. Now I understand that this is a routine procedure for him and the rest of the staff. But for me, this was the first time I was going to be sedated so I had some questions about that. I also had questions about the IUI itself. The nurse gave me all the instructions to prepare for IUI but my worries about the procedure remain unresolved. I was asked to go to the 5th floor to register for admission. My IUI was scheduled at 9 am on 23rd July. I was instructed to get the sperm sample by 7-7.30 am since it takes about 1 hour for them to prepare it.
I was also asked whether I would be able to inject myself. Having never done this before, I said I wasn't comfortable. Dr Prashant Nadkarni instructed the nurse to give me a letter so that I could get the HUCOG injected from outside. I've recently shifted my apartment so I wasn't aware of a clinic near where I live (live near KL Sentral) I opted to go to Sentosa Medical Centre which is near the Grand Seasons Hotel. I definitely felt some cramps in my lower abdomen which started some 3 hours after the injection. I searched on Google (love ya Google!) and I was informed that this is common.
After this visit, my respect for the doctor has gone down. I don't doubt his qualifications and the fact that he gives the best medical care to his patients. But as a woman going through this bewildering journey for the first time, I do expect my doctor to take out time, patiently answer my questions and provide me with all the necessary information. I shouldn't be googling for what to expect during IUI, what do to after IUI etc.
Everything from this point on happened so fast. The doctor said he would induce ovulation so that it occurs within 48 hours. I would need to take the injection between 6-9 pm that day. I was given an ice box which had the injection (HUCOG 5000) along with instructions on how to prepare for IUI. Since I was going to be sedated, the list of instructions were very long. No eating from midnight, no passing urine from early morning, no cosmetics/perfumes/jewellry etc on that day. I always had the highest regard for Dr Prashant Nadkarni but on this day, it appeared that he was in a hurry and he just gave me basic instructions and then told me that the nurse would explain everything else to me. Now I understand that this is a routine procedure for him and the rest of the staff. But for me, this was the first time I was going to be sedated so I had some questions about that. I also had questions about the IUI itself. The nurse gave me all the instructions to prepare for IUI but my worries about the procedure remain unresolved. I was asked to go to the 5th floor to register for admission. My IUI was scheduled at 9 am on 23rd July. I was instructed to get the sperm sample by 7-7.30 am since it takes about 1 hour for them to prepare it.
I was also asked whether I would be able to inject myself. Having never done this before, I said I wasn't comfortable. Dr Prashant Nadkarni instructed the nurse to give me a letter so that I could get the HUCOG injected from outside. I've recently shifted my apartment so I wasn't aware of a clinic near where I live (live near KL Sentral) I opted to go to Sentosa Medical Centre which is near the Grand Seasons Hotel. I definitely felt some cramps in my lower abdomen which started some 3 hours after the injection. I searched on Google (love ya Google!) and I was informed that this is common.
After this visit, my respect for the doctor has gone down. I don't doubt his qualifications and the fact that he gives the best medical care to his patients. But as a woman going through this bewildering journey for the first time, I do expect my doctor to take out time, patiently answer my questions and provide me with all the necessary information. I shouldn't be googling for what to expect during IUI, what do to after IUI etc.
Third visit-it was all about the pee
My third visit to the clinic was on 13th June which was day 3 of my cycle. I came in with a full bladder for the ultrasound.My appointment was at 2 pm and I started drinking water from 12.30 pm. Boy, was that a wrong move! By 2 pm, my bladder was bursting. I've never had the urge to pee so bad. I couldn't even get up. My husband was so amused and I wanted to whack him! I finally went to to the loo and peed a little bit. 2 pm came and went and out turn had not come. There were so many people to see Dr Prashant Nadkarni. Our turn finally came at 3.30 pm!
Dr Prashant Nadkarni did the ultrasound and everything was normal. Since I was on day 3 of my cycle, the uterus lining was thin as he explained to me. He also pointed out my left and right ovaries. They looked like small blobs on the screen, it was all very exciting!
The doctor said that since he had to vaginal examination with sedatives for me, he'll do it along with a IUI. He prescribed Tamoxifen which I had to take every night for 5 days. You can take it any time but some women get headaches so it is advised to take it at night. He asked me to come on day 11 of the cycle for another ultrasound. He would check on the status of ovulation then. He also asked me if I was taking any vitamins or supplements. I had been taking only folic acid, Dr suggested that it would be better to buy an over the counter prenatal vitamin which contains other essential vitamins along with folic acid.
After hearing that we would be proceeding with IUI, my husband and I were both excited. It seemed that things were finally moving somewhere! We went to Siem Reap over the Hari Raya weekend (it was so humid,ugh) and I couldn't wait to get back to Kuala Lumpur for the IUI.
So what did I learn from this visit? You don't need a full bladder for the ultrasound. It should be half full. And don't start drinking water until 1 hour before the appointment. 2-3 glasses will do the trick (I drank something like 2 litres, silly me)
Dr Prashant Nadkarni did the ultrasound and everything was normal. Since I was on day 3 of my cycle, the uterus lining was thin as he explained to me. He also pointed out my left and right ovaries. They looked like small blobs on the screen, it was all very exciting!
The doctor said that since he had to vaginal examination with sedatives for me, he'll do it along with a IUI. He prescribed Tamoxifen which I had to take every night for 5 days. You can take it any time but some women get headaches so it is advised to take it at night. He asked me to come on day 11 of the cycle for another ultrasound. He would check on the status of ovulation then. He also asked me if I was taking any vitamins or supplements. I had been taking only folic acid, Dr suggested that it would be better to buy an over the counter prenatal vitamin which contains other essential vitamins along with folic acid.
After hearing that we would be proceeding with IUI, my husband and I were both excited. It seemed that things were finally moving somewhere! We went to Siem Reap over the Hari Raya weekend (it was so humid,ugh) and I couldn't wait to get back to Kuala Lumpur for the IUI.
So what did I learn from this visit? You don't need a full bladder for the ultrasound. It should be half full. And don't start drinking water until 1 hour before the appointment. 2-3 glasses will do the trick (I drank something like 2 litres, silly me)
Wednesday 22 July 2015
Second visit-KL Fertility Clinic
Our second visit happened about 3 weeks after the first. My husband had given a sperm sample for testing and we were going to find out the result in this visit. I was a bit anxious (as is my nature) My husband was more positive. The results from the test weren't great. The volume of sperms was low at around 7 million (should be around 15-20 million) Everything else like the shape and movement was normal.
Dr Prashant Nadkarni explained to us that with a low sperm count, our chances of conceiving naturally were low. He told us that we had 2 options available to us. Option 1, we straight away go in for IVF. Option 2, we try increasing the sperm count through medication. It takes typically takes 3 months for the sperm cells to mature. After 3 months, we again test and see what the count looks like. If it is normal, then we have IUI along with IVF open. Otherwise, we go for IVF.
I liked the fact that he didn't push for IVF which is costly and an invasive procedure. He suggested that we go for option 2 and see where we are after 3 months. My husband and I agreed with his approach. I also mentioned that I had pain at the same spot when I tried the manual insemination. The doctor was concerned and asked me several times whether I was having any problems with my periods. He said the only thing that could explain the pain was if the opening was blocked but since my periods were happening regularly, that was ruled out. He suggested that we meet after 2 months during day 2-4 of my July cycle where he would do an ultrasound to see whether there was any problem.
My husband was prescribed Proxseed along with other medicines to increase the sperm count and help the cells in maturing. Proxseed is expensive (around RM 400) and is not easily available so it is better to get your supplies from the clinic itself.
My husband and I were disappointed but as my husband reasoned, we now have a course of action. I decided to use the 2 months till my next appoinment to lose some weight. And I'm happy to report that I have managed to lose 4 kilos!
Dr Prashant Nadkarni explained to us that with a low sperm count, our chances of conceiving naturally were low. He told us that we had 2 options available to us. Option 1, we straight away go in for IVF. Option 2, we try increasing the sperm count through medication. It takes typically takes 3 months for the sperm cells to mature. After 3 months, we again test and see what the count looks like. If it is normal, then we have IUI along with IVF open. Otherwise, we go for IVF.
I liked the fact that he didn't push for IVF which is costly and an invasive procedure. He suggested that we go for option 2 and see where we are after 3 months. My husband and I agreed with his approach. I also mentioned that I had pain at the same spot when I tried the manual insemination. The doctor was concerned and asked me several times whether I was having any problems with my periods. He said the only thing that could explain the pain was if the opening was blocked but since my periods were happening regularly, that was ruled out. He suggested that we meet after 2 months during day 2-4 of my July cycle where he would do an ultrasound to see whether there was any problem.
My husband was prescribed Proxseed along with other medicines to increase the sperm count and help the cells in maturing. Proxseed is expensive (around RM 400) and is not easily available so it is better to get your supplies from the clinic itself.
My husband and I were disappointed but as my husband reasoned, we now have a course of action. I decided to use the 2 months till my next appoinment to lose some weight. And I'm happy to report that I have managed to lose 4 kilos!
Manual insemination
On my first visit to Dr Prashant Nadkarni, he advised us that we should use an ovulation predictor kit and use the manual insemination kit 24 hours after the test is positive. I was pretty excited about it and I did my research on YouTube to completely understand what it entailed. The nurse at the KL Fertility Clinic had explained the entire process to me but I'm the sort of person who goes over things multiple times (borderline OCD!)
The ovulation kit is easy to use, You dip the stick in your urine and wait 5-10 minutes for the results to appear. I was advised to use it when I pee for the second time in the day starting from day 8-9 of my period (my cycle length is 25 days) The instructions on the kit, however, mention only that you can test at any time of the day but you should do it at the same time each day. The day after the ovulation test was positive, my husband ejaculated in the sterilized jar. I had laid out a towel on the bed and placed a pillow under my bum so that my hips were slightly elevated. My husband helped me with the syringe and catheter. The catheter was soft and flexible and he connected it to the syringe. We pulled up the sperm into the syringe and then inserted it vaginally. Now in principle, you should insert it uptil your cervix. I had no clue where my cervix is (shocking, I know) so I pushed it as far as I could. I again had pain at the same spot as during my vaginal examination, so I didn't push it too deep. Once all the sperm was inserted, I just lied on the bed for 30 minutes. Once I got up, I saw that there was a wet spot on the towel. I wasn't really expecting to get pregnant but there was still a faint hope. When my period started, I did feel a tiny bit of regret. Well, such is life.
The ovulation kit is easy to use, You dip the stick in your urine and wait 5-10 minutes for the results to appear. I was advised to use it when I pee for the second time in the day starting from day 8-9 of my period (my cycle length is 25 days) The instructions on the kit, however, mention only that you can test at any time of the day but you should do it at the same time each day. The day after the ovulation test was positive, my husband ejaculated in the sterilized jar. I had laid out a towel on the bed and placed a pillow under my bum so that my hips were slightly elevated. My husband helped me with the syringe and catheter. The catheter was soft and flexible and he connected it to the syringe. We pulled up the sperm into the syringe and then inserted it vaginally. Now in principle, you should insert it uptil your cervix. I had no clue where my cervix is (shocking, I know) so I pushed it as far as I could. I again had pain at the same spot as during my vaginal examination, so I didn't push it too deep. Once all the sperm was inserted, I just lied on the bed for 30 minutes. Once I got up, I saw that there was a wet spot on the towel. I wasn't really expecting to get pregnant but there was still a faint hope. When my period started, I did feel a tiny bit of regret. Well, such is life.
First visit- KL Fertility Centre
My husband and I are in our early 30s and have been trying to conceive for some time. Our infertility problems are physical (low testosterone, low sperm count) and psychological. Given all the information about how a woman's age and fertility are negatively related, we decided to consult a fertility expert.
I'm an Indian and have been living in Malaysia since early 2014. Having no family or close friends in the country, I relied upon good ol' Google to find out about fertility doctors. KL Fertility Centre and Dato Dr Prashant Nadkarni were the first few results on Google. I also came across some blogs written by women who had been treated by Dr Prashant Nadkarni and their opinion was wholly favourable. So my husband and I decided to go ahead with a consultation.
First visit (May 2014)- We had our first consultation with the doctor. He said that our problems were very common among young, working couple. He took my medical history- length of my cycle, how regular were they and my parents' medical history (no obvious health issues with my mother, my father was sever diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis) I'd been recording my period dates for over a year so I had a complete record of my last period date and the period cycle (For women looking to get pregnant, please do start tracking your period dates. There are lot of apps available on mobile stores that are handy)
Dr Prashant Nadkarni wanted to examine me vaginally to assess how many eggs I have and take a look at my ovaries and uterus. I've never had a vaginal examination so I was nervous. There was a nice nurse who helped me get ready for the examination. The doctor came in after 5 minutes and took an instrument which was shaped like a longish tube and put a sheath on it. He then proceeded to insert it in my vagina. After a couple of seconds, it started paining. I'm not talking about discomfort which I can bear but this was real pain. Something deep in my lower abdomen was paining and I couldn't help but cry out. The doctor immediately stopped and said that he would examine me manually. That pained as well. The doctor asked me to change. My husband was concerned and asked about the pain. The doctor said that it was probably nervousness and that my vaginal walls were clamping up in tension. There wasn't much he could do but examine me while I'm sedated at a later date.
The doctor also advised us to go for another sperm test. He said that we had a couple of options- manual insemination, IUI and IVF. He advised us to track ovulation using ovulation predictor kits and use the manual insemination kit at home. This consisted of a sterilized jar which is used to collect the ejaculate and a syringe along with a long soft catheter that you use to draw up the sperm and insert in your vagina. You are supposed to do this when you are ovulating to maximize your chances of conceiving. We got all the supplies from the clinic and a nurse again explained the process of manual insemination to us.
My first impression of Dr Prashant Nadkarni was very favourable. He seemed professional and his advice seemed logical. He didn't push for IVF and was very positive. I think I mentioned that people tell me that I'm pretty old to not have a single baby. And he said, "No, you are just 32 years old!" The only con is that he's very busy and you have to wait until your turn.
So what was the biggest lesson for me? Women who are having a vaginal examination for the first time should mention this to their doctors. It can be stressful for some and the doctor can allay your fears.
P.S I should have started recording my journey a couple of months back, so I'll be making several posts to give a complete view of my experience so far.
I'm an Indian and have been living in Malaysia since early 2014. Having no family or close friends in the country, I relied upon good ol' Google to find out about fertility doctors. KL Fertility Centre and Dato Dr Prashant Nadkarni were the first few results on Google. I also came across some blogs written by women who had been treated by Dr Prashant Nadkarni and their opinion was wholly favourable. So my husband and I decided to go ahead with a consultation.
First visit (May 2014)- We had our first consultation with the doctor. He said that our problems were very common among young, working couple. He took my medical history- length of my cycle, how regular were they and my parents' medical history (no obvious health issues with my mother, my father was sever diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis) I'd been recording my period dates for over a year so I had a complete record of my last period date and the period cycle (For women looking to get pregnant, please do start tracking your period dates. There are lot of apps available on mobile stores that are handy)
Dr Prashant Nadkarni wanted to examine me vaginally to assess how many eggs I have and take a look at my ovaries and uterus. I've never had a vaginal examination so I was nervous. There was a nice nurse who helped me get ready for the examination. The doctor came in after 5 minutes and took an instrument which was shaped like a longish tube and put a sheath on it. He then proceeded to insert it in my vagina. After a couple of seconds, it started paining. I'm not talking about discomfort which I can bear but this was real pain. Something deep in my lower abdomen was paining and I couldn't help but cry out. The doctor immediately stopped and said that he would examine me manually. That pained as well. The doctor asked me to change. My husband was concerned and asked about the pain. The doctor said that it was probably nervousness and that my vaginal walls were clamping up in tension. There wasn't much he could do but examine me while I'm sedated at a later date.
The doctor also advised us to go for another sperm test. He said that we had a couple of options- manual insemination, IUI and IVF. He advised us to track ovulation using ovulation predictor kits and use the manual insemination kit at home. This consisted of a sterilized jar which is used to collect the ejaculate and a syringe along with a long soft catheter that you use to draw up the sperm and insert in your vagina. You are supposed to do this when you are ovulating to maximize your chances of conceiving. We got all the supplies from the clinic and a nurse again explained the process of manual insemination to us.
My first impression of Dr Prashant Nadkarni was very favourable. He seemed professional and his advice seemed logical. He didn't push for IVF and was very positive. I think I mentioned that people tell me that I'm pretty old to not have a single baby. And he said, "No, you are just 32 years old!" The only con is that he's very busy and you have to wait until your turn.
So what was the biggest lesson for me? Women who are having a vaginal examination for the first time should mention this to their doctors. It can be stressful for some and the doctor can allay your fears.
P.S I should have started recording my journey a couple of months back, so I'll be making several posts to give a complete view of my experience so far.
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