How Fertility Awareness Helped Me Diagnose PCOS & Get Pregnant
Hey oh! It's Natural Family Planning Awareness Week, which I have yet to really talk about as it relates to our infertility journey, so I figured I'd join the convo. If you aren't familiar with our infertility journey you can find all of my posts under the family category here. Today I am sharing how fertility awareness helped me diagnose PCOS, manage my symptoms, and get pregnant twice.
How We Started
I began charting with the help of an instructor using the Creighton Model FertilityCare System in July of 2013. Steve and I were newly engaged, and I'd had irregular cycles my entire life, so I was hoping for insights into my cycle that would help us achieve pregnancy once married. Our instructor agreed that my cycle patterns were indicative of PCOS, and a formal diagnosis came when we were married. I took these concerns to my local OBGYN, along with my worry that we would have difficulty conceiving. She offered artificial birth control, and said, "you won't know if you'll have difficulty getting pregnant until you start trying", and, "how do you even know your husband wants children anyway?" And that was the end of my experience with that doctor.
Initial Diagnosis
Once married we continued to chart, but the nearest NaPro doctor was two hours away in New Brunswick. We decided on a local fertility specialist instead, but I wish we had made the drive to the Gianna Center from the beginning. Through the local fertility doctor I started Metformin, which did nothing for me. We also went through multiple rounds of Clomid with trigger shots, none of which worked or were covered by insurance.
That summer I had an HSG procedure and was told I had a blocked tube, which would make it very difficult to get pregnant on my own. We were offered IUI or IVF, but nothing else to help my underlying issues. When we declined the treatments the response was: "Ok. Call me when you get a cycle."
We took the following year and a half off from using any medications, and I did not cycle the entire time. That spring I called the fertility specialist again, but more than a year had passed, and they would not see us without redoing all the initial tests. I was livid and so discouraged. A month later Steve and I decided we had nothing to lose, and so we looked again at the Gianna Center.
As much as I was angry with the local fertility center, I think back on that time with gratitude, because it changed my life for the better. It led us to the Gianna Center, it allowed me to understand and take charge of my fertility, and it gave us a better chance at pregnancy than anything else.
Working with The Gianna Center
We began seeing Dr. Beiter that summer. He learned my history, listened to my concerns, and walked through diagnosing and managing PCOS, as well as a plan to help us conceive. Steve and I cried tears of joy when we left the office that day, because it was our first real sign of hope.
I was diagnosed with PCOS through blood work, anovulatory cycles, and ultrasound confirmation. We went through six rounds of Femara, but none were successful. In February of 2017 we made the decision to have the Ovarian Wedge Resection. In surgery, they found and removed endometriosis and determined my tubes were clear. Two months later, I began cycling regularly for the first time in my life. The following December we began 6 more rounds of Femara, all of which were also unsuccessful.
Getting Pregnant
If you've never used any kind of fertility awareness method this may sound foreign to you, so I will try to simplify the terms as it relates to our experience. Basically, I check different biomarkers to figure out where I am in my cycle, and use the information to identify my most fertile days, which helps increase my chances of achieving pregnancy. It can also be used to avoid pregnancy if you are looking for a more natural way, or an alternative to taking birth control or using an IUD.
Through the Creighton Method, we were able to get pregnant last July without any additional medication. Unfortunately, it ended in miscarriage. I have written about the baby we named Hope Olivia in this post.
We found out we were pregnant for the second time a few weeks ago, ironically, on the same day we found out last July. We were overjoyed to know that it was possible for my body to get pregnant again without any assistance. I am sad to say that we suffered another miscarriage last week. Pregnancy after loss is difficult in any circumstance, and I am heartbroken that all of my worst fears came true. We decided to name this baby Isaiah Frances, and I am praying that our little ones are in heaven interceding for our future family.
What's Next
Our plan is to return to the Gianna Center to inquire about further testing regarding our multiple miscarriages. I'm not sure if there will be answers, but I am confident that God is with us through it all. I know so many of you are praying for us, and I am so grateful for your continued prayers and support throughout our journey.
If you want to learn more about fertility awareness and NFP I would suggest the following resources:
Helpful Resources
Books:
Websites:
Community & Support:
Fertility awareness is definitely not the easy way to do things, especially if you have PCOS, but it is worth it. It has been the most empowering and freeing experience, and for that I am grateful. If you have any questions I am happy to try to answer them in the comments! Or feel free to email me at hello@heykatie.co
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xo,
Katie