The 9 days passed and it came the day of my HSG scan (if you don't want to hear details, please don't continue to read, this blog is to help others who may not have the know-how or what to expect). E was able to come this time since it was highly recommended for him to be there due to the "pain" it may cause, not to mention, the meds they gave me would make me too drowsy to drive. I wanted him there too and he wanted to be there for me.
I had talked to some other women who had the procedure before and I heard that it was extremely painful and next to childbirth it would be most pain that I would feel. With being new to this whole infertility process, being scared was an understatement.
An hour before the procedure I was instructed to take a high does of motrin to dull the pain and to help with any cramping that would occur. I did as I was instructed and shortly after we made the drive to the Naval Hospital. E and I didn't talk much on the way. I'm not much of a talker especially when something is weighing on my mind. He has learned to not pry and just to hold my hand. I was a nervous, emotional wreck. What if they find something?
I took a deep breath as I sat in the waiting room, we need to figure out what's going on. I just kept telling myself over and over again, "it will be worth it". They sent me to the lab for another pregnancy test before the HSG procedure. I took the test and returned to the waiting room. They finally called my name and we followed them back to the exam room. E left the room with the doctors as I got undressed. I was instructed to take my bottoms off and lay on the cold hard surface.
I knew what the HSG process was, so I wasn't blind to it. I had heard it was a painful, but a "neat" process and we'd get to see right then and there if there were something wrong.
An HSG scan is an x-ray test where they can see if a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or open. They insert a catheter like tube into her lady parts and shoot contrast (dye) through the tube into her uterus. Because the uterus is hooked to the fallopian tubes the patient will get to see the contrast go through or stop in the fallopian tubes. If the contrast goes through both fallopian tubes completely, then the fallopian tubes are not blocked.
E, the nurse, the radiologist, and the doctor returned. I didn't recognize the radiologist or the doctor and they were all males. I wasn't sure what I thought about that, because let's face it, it can be a bit embarrassing when a member of the opposite sex (who isn't your spouse) is examining you (needless to say, I've gotten used to it). I remember laying there and E, standing, by my side with a huge monitor by my face. They said they were going to begin the process and I took a deep breath and they began. It was a bit uncomfortable at first because the doctor acted like he didn't know what he was doing and took him a bit to get the catheter in. He then instructed the radiologist to turn the lights off and lower the x-ray down (it was on hinges and came across my belly) and to get behind the curtain. He said he was pushing the contrast through and I felt it. It burned. E took my hand and we watched the contrast go through my uterus and through one fallopian tube. I looked at him and said "look". We watched the monitor in hopes of the other fallopian tube being open as well. It wasn't. I was upset and then the doctor said that he wanted to try one more time with some more contrast to see if he could clear the passage way. He instructed the nurse to get more contrast. It took forever. I laid there as the doctor fidgeted with the catheter and I wanted to scream. Tears ran down my face and E just held my hand tighter, I could tell he was getting upset. I held my emotions and hurt in with hopes of the nurse returning sooner then later. The nurse finally returned about 15 minutes later with a new bottle of contrast (he had to go to the first floor, we were on the 4th floor, to get it). Sigh. The doctor then pushed the second vile through and this time it burned worse. Tears, again, trickled down my cheek and then I watched the monitor and my second tube had cleared. The clearing of my other tube made me smile. They finally finished the procedure and sent us on our way.
When we left I got to hear from E how badly he wanted to punch the doctor for making me cry. He was so sweet. He had never seen me in so much pain before and says he never wants to see it again (if we ever get pregnant he has another thing coming wink wink). I was cramping the rest of that afternoon and pretty exhausted. On the inside I was doing flip flops. I was happy that my fallopian tubes were both open. Maybe we have a better chance?
After the HSG procedure I was told to make an appointment with Dr. D in three months to discuss what the next steps would be. I called OB and they couldn't get me in in three months time, they had to make it in four. I thought, well, maybe I'll be pregnant by then.
Month after month passed, I'd take a home pregnancy test, get only one pink line, then my period would come and go. I cried every single time.
It has been and still is the most emotional thing I have ever experienced.
~Jess
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