[scubagirl80]

Hey ladies....just wanted to add my pcos experience and our baby girl's birth story.

I was diagnosed with pcos when I was 14. I had none of the classical symptoms, other than having a small amount of hair on my jaw line. My ever vigilant mother saw this and took me straight to the dermatologist. He referred me back to my pediatrician who drew blood. I was then referred to an endocrinologist, who confirmed the pcos diagnosis. Like I said, apart from the hair, we had no idea anything was wrong. My period came like clock work, my weight was normal (but I was very into sports), no acne, etc. I suppose it was lucky we "caught" it early though.

Being only 14 when I was diagnosed, I didn't really think much of having pcos...it didn't really change my life any. And I was busy with school and sports. However, that all changed when a doctor told me that I might never conceive. Even though I was young, that devastated me. I knew, even then, that I wanted to be a mother. Having pcos and maybe not being able to have a baby was something that I always had at the back of my mind, even when I was busy with college and traveling and getting married and grad school. DH and I talked about having kids once we were married, but I always felt a little sad having those talks...I always thought "what if I can't do it"?

Three years after we were married and I had completed my grad program, we decided to begin trying. A part of me thought that I would just happen to fall pregnant right away, despite the pcos. Afterall, I had been on bc for years and, prior to being on it, my cycle was regular. I just assumed it would be regular upon coming off bc. Well...of course, as soon as we want to start trying, my cycle gets crazy. I begin only having periods every 2-3 months. And even when I got them, they were very light. I knew, of course, that this wasn't right. But at the time, I had started a new job which was very stressful. My heart wasn't really into trying at that moment, but we continued to ntnp for one year. Even though we weren't really trying very hard, the fact that I hadn't gotten pregnant was something that weighed on me despite all the work stress.

We began "officially" trying on our own in June 2008. I began charting and soon found that my temps were all over the place. After doing research, I came to the conclusion that I was only ovulating a few times a year. I began jogging and eating healthy. I ended up losing about 25 pounds. This did help to regulate me somewhat, but not altogether. I grew more and more upset as it seemed that all my friends were becoming pregnant. There were times that I feared answering the phone if a friend was calling (and if I knew they were trying). I just feared hearing the news and having to act happy. So many of those phone calls ended in me hanging up and promptly bursting into tears!

Six months after ttc, we went to our RE...BEST decision of my life. Not only because we got a baby out of it, but because I felt as though I belonged somewhere. I sat in that waiting room, that first day, and looked at about 10 other women who were in the same boat. I no longer felt so isolated and alone, which is something that I had been feeling for so long. The staff and doctors were the most amazing group of people! They cheered us on when we felt defeated and even held my hand when I ended up in tears after countless disappointing follie scans. At times, it was really hard to keep going. I did feel hopeless: Met didn't regulate me, Clomid stopped working altogether, I had an early m/c...nothing seemed to go right. But I just kept going....it was all I could do.

Eventually, we ended up doing ovarian drilling. The doctor seemed to feel that this would help with my symptoms. AND....the very next cycle, we got our BFP!!! We had done Gonal F and Lupron with an IUI that cycle. I had 2, possibly 3 mature follies and we just prayed that one took.

Alexandra Eva was born on January 17, 2010. She is absolutely our miracle and sometimes I still cannot believe she is here. I had a wonderful, uneventful pregnancy (no nausea even!) up until 34 weeks. At that point, my blood pressure spiked and I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia. My doctors monitored me very closely, for which I am grateful. Alexandra was born at 37 weeks after I was induced. Despite being a bit early, her apgars were all 9's and she was completely healthy (and had a set of lungs on her)! Our plan is to begin ntnp when Alex is 6 months old and to go back to an RE at 12 months. This time around, I'm not messing with Clomid (gave me bad s/e) and will go straight back to injections with IUI.

Anyway...that's our story. There were so many times where I never imagined that it could happen...that I could get pregnant. It just seemed way too good to be true. My only advice is: if you have it in you....keep going. You really never know what might work <3

[babyjen]

Congrats Amanda on your little miracle!! She's adorable

[mandyt]

THANK YOU for sharing your story, Amanda!! I remember you wanted to wait until your little miracle arrived to post your story- I'm so glad that day is here, and you are holding your beautiful baby girl in your arms!! You're an inspiration to all of us here!!!

[DawnN]

Congratulations!!

[scubagirl80]

Thanks ladies