About 18% of women 15–44 years of age in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.
In general, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year of unprotected sex. Women who do not have regular menstrual cycles, or are older than 35 years and have not conceived during a 6-month period of trying, should consider making an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist—an infertility specialist. These doctors may also be able to help women with recurrent pregnancy loss—2 or more spontaneous miscarriages.
My husband and myself were married May 1, 2004; we took a very nice long 2-week honeymoon, which we put to good use (if you know what I mean J ).
It is June 2004 we have just found out that we are having our first baby, so as we thought, things quickly changed for us. I went thru a miscarriage and lost the baby at 12 weeks.
I was devastated, so we quickly started trying immediately for another baby, things were taking longer, then finally the end of November 2004, we found out we were pregnant again.
This time it only lasted 10 weeks I miscarried again.
Completely lost in my emotions, I felt broken; my heart has never felt so much pain. I just wanted to have a baby all of our friends were either having a baby or had recently had a baby.
2 miscarriages in 6 months did a number on me emotionally and physically.
I was in deep depression and taking medications ( it has been so long I cannot remember which meds I was on). Not to mention that food and alcohol had now become my new BFFs, so you guessed it I went from 124 lbs. to 154 lbs., I am only 5’ 5”.
Definition of Depression Also Known as Mood Disorder
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present.
Depressed mood is a feature of some psychiatric syndromes such as major depressive disorder, but it may also be a normal reaction to life events such as bereavement, a symptom of some bodily ailments or a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.
My husband knew that he was loosing his wife and fast if we didn’t take action.
So March 2005 we met with a specialist, not good results at all, we meet with another specialist, and we get the same exact results.
So 2 different specialists ran 2 different types of test, and they both had the same answer for us.
However we were not making that our final answer we wanted to have children and we knew that there were other options.
Both of the specialty doctors told us that I could conceive however I would not be able to carry a child full term that my body would keep rejecting the embryo. Both of these doctors recommended that I have my Tubes Tied so that I would stop putting myself thru the pain of constant miscarriages.
Definition of Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation or tubectomy (also known as having one’s “tubes tied” (ligation)) is a surgical procedure for sterilization in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are clamped and blocked, or severed and sealed, either method of which prevents eggs from reaching the uterus for implantation. However, fertilization can still occur in the fallopian tubes. Tubal ligation is considered a permanent method of sterilization and birth control.
This was not an option nor was it even a thought for us.
May 2005 right after our 1 one year wedding anniversary we made the massive decision to leave everyone and everything that we had ever known behind.
They always say a change of life will help a situation.
So we sold our house in NY, sold most of our belongings, kept some clothing, and moved to FL by ourselves. We were desperate to be a family and were willing to go thru major changes to make this happen.
It was the best choice that we ever made.
September 2005 I meet with my new OBGYN in FL for the first time tell him my story, he instantly sends me to a specialist, she runs a bunch of test for over a month straight. The results come in finally; my body is not producing any Progesterone. Yeah we have an answer finally.
What is Progesterone?
Progesterone (pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione; abbreviated as P4) is an endogenous steroid hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens, and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production of other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the corticosteroids, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid.
Progesterone is one of the hormones in our bodies that stimulates and regulates various functions. Progesterone plays a role in maintaining pregnancy. The hormone is produced in the ovaries, the placenta (when a woman gets pregnant) and the adrenal glands. It helps prepare your body for conception and pregnancy and regulates the monthly menstrual cycle. It also plays a role in sexual desire.
The Role of Progesterone in Women
One of progesterone’s most important functions is to cause the endometrium to secrete special proteins during the second half of the menstrual cycle, preparing it to receive and nourish an implanted fertilized egg. If implantation does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, the endometrium breaks down and menstruation occurs.
If a pregnancy occurs, progesterone is produced in the placenta, and levels remain elevated throughout the pregnancy. The combination of high estrogen and progesterone levels suppress further ovulation during pregnancy. Progesterone also encourages the growth of milk-producing glands in the breast during pregnancy.
High progesterone levels are believed to be partly responsible for symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as breast tenderness, feeling bloated and mood swings. When you skip a period, it could be because of failure to ovulate and subsequent low progesterone levels.
So they put me on Progesterone hormone therapy.
I used Progesterone Suppository, to cure my particular situation. Now you are asking yourself what is that, it is an applicator used to insert the hormone medication directly into the vagina.
December 31, 2005 we find out I am pregnant 6 weeks along and the baby is healthy good strong heartbeat.
This was my first son Manuel was born August 29, 2006.
We then went on to have 2 more children on our with no help at all babies 2 and 3 were actually surprises we were not even trying when we conceived them.
My second son Armando was born May 19, 2009 and my third son Ricardo was born October 11, 2011.
Since we knew deep down in our hearts and soul that we were meant to be parents, we never gave up on the dream of having children.
Now I know that my situation will not be the same for others, however I am hoping that my story will help to encourage other moms to know that you can and you will move over this moment.
I was in severe depression, gaining a ton of weight, drinking for comfort and the other item that I did not mention is that I was also smoking cigarettes to remove the pain.
Now I am still heavy on the weight side because it is my choice I just have not pushed myself yet to loose the weight. However I have not had a cigarette since 2005. I only drink wine now to have a glass for pleasure not to forget about life.
With today’s Internet Advance the Internet has opened up the availability for so many women to reach out to support groups. These groups are great to help women get thru this time within their lives. Also in infertility support groups other women will talk about there situation which will help other moms to have more decisions with their doctors.
A support group, whether professionally led or peer-led, will help you feel less isolated, empower you with knowledge and validate your emotional response to the life crisis of infertility.
Perhaps one of the most important benefits of participating in a support group is a decreased sense of the isolation so many people feel when they are experiencing infertility. In a support group environment, feelings of anger, depression, guilt and anxiety can be expressed, validated by others and accepted as a normal response to the infertility crisis.
Support group members often realize how their experiences in the group have created a special bond and identity between group members. By sharing feelings, accomplishments, losses, and humor known only to those who experience infertility, members can develop strong emotional ties to one another.
The only drug I take now is the Drug of Life.
I am 36 years old and so blessed to be a Stay at Home Mom with my guys, all of this happened because I did not stop believing and fighting for what I wanted.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions that you may have, I would love to connect with you.
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Stay positive; think positive, this shall pass.
“In my deepest, darkest moments, what really got me through was a prayer. Sometimes my prayer was ‘Help me.’ Sometimes a prayer was ‘Thank you.’ What I’ve discovered is that intimate connection and communication with my creator will always get me through because I know my support, my help, is just a prayer away.”
~ Iyanla Vanzant
“Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.”
~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter
My number one goal is to love, support and be there for others.
Follow your heart and believe in yourself….
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See You On The Change Side Of Life
With Much Love
CJ Pereira
CJ’s Island
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