Taking Things to the Next Level
After talking to a few people we know who have experienced infertility, we contacted a specialist and made an appointment. The office is nowhere near my house, but I have heard he is worth the drive so I go with it. Upon arriving, I discover that his entire office is covered in photographs of babies. Literally every surface is covered in photographs of smiling babies, crying babies, and notes from families thanking him for his help. Even as I sit in the waiting room, a woman comes in pushing a stroller and tells me that I am in great hands. She says he gave her this little miracle as she looks down at her beautiful sleeping baby. I immediately feel as though this is the place. This is the place where we will find a solution.
Finally I am sent back to the doctor’s office and he asks me a series of questions. As I sit there explaining what we have been through and all of my symptoms, he nods his head and takes notes. He tells me that there is in fact something wrong with me as what I am describing is not "normal". However, most doctors will just prescribe mediation because that is what the leading book on infertility tells them to do. He even shows me the book and the steps that it tells the doctor to follow. Step 1 is try for over a year then step 2 is to simply start medications. He says he wants to find the problem first then come up with a solution. Hallelujah! Someone who does not want to just fill me with drugs. I finally feel listened to and I am immediately at ease.

The doctor then describes all the testing we will have to do to find the problem. Although it sounds like a lot, I am optimistic and sign on for everything. I leave the office feeling like we have a plan and I begin scheduling the tests. This is when I learn that our health insurance does not cover anything related to fertility. It was not an issue when I was at my regular gynecologist because of how everything was coded in the system, but now that I am seeing a specialist, I am cut off from all insurance assistance. This is very disappointing. I learn that our insurance considers fertility treatments an elective procedure, which is ridiculous. I am not sure why anyone would elect to have a baby this way if they could have one by just getting in bed together, but there is nothing I can do about it. Adam and I have a long discussion and decide that we are fortunate to have the economic means to try and are not ready to close the book on the possibility that we could have a baby via fertility treatments. We also reach an agreement that we will not allow fertility treatments to bankrupt us so we set a dollar amount that we are willing to spend.
Test after test is done until I feel as though we have no bodily fluids left to provide, and then we wait. A second meeting is scheduled and I meet with the doctor again. Essentially, I am told that the tests are inconclusive. We do not have any set fertility issue that can be remedied. Rather, we have a series of issues that are making it hard to conceive. I am immediately heartbroken and assume the worst. However, the doctor informs me that he still believes he can help us have a baby. He also informs me that, based upon our test results, we have to bypass several options for conceiving and go straight to intrauterine insemination (IUI).
It's....scar tissue. One of the issues that keeps me from getting pregnant on my saline sonogram.