"Recurrent Miscarriage Causes: Look Beyond the Woman"

"Recurrent Miscarriage Causes: Look Beyond the Woman", this article answered some important questions that I've always had especially about the developing embryo/fetus.

"Methylation Status of the Developing Child
A study from China[2] published in BMC Medicine states “that defects in DNA maintenance methylation in the embryo, not in the mother, are associated with abnormal embryonic implantation and development. The findings of the current study provide new insights into the etiology of early pregnancy loss (EPL). . . . We also found that disturbance of maintenance methylation with a DNMT1 inhibitor may result in a decreased global DNA methylation level and impaired embryonic development in the mouse model, and inhibit in vitro embryo attachment to endometrial cells.”

What does this mean?
This means that methylation in the developing child is directly correlated to a healthy pregnancy outcome – regardless of the methylation status of the mother or father.

What to do?

• Support methylation in the father and mother prior to, and during, pregnancy in order to increase the odds of optimizing methylation in the developing child.
• Identify genetic defects in the methylation pathway, namely MTHFR, in both parents and supplement accordingly in order to bypass the methylation defect thereby increasing the odds of optimizing methylation in the developing child.
• Identify DNMT inhibitors and have both mother and father cease their use prior to and during pregnancy (for the mother)."

I've wondered this for a very long time. Not just about MTHFR but just in general how much do genetics of the embryo effect the outcome of the pregnancy. It only makes sense that it would and that the mother's body would have to accomodate (if able). And if it can't a miscarriage occurs.

This article also talks about the importance of the father's genetics and if his MTHFR status affecting the outcome of a pregnancy.

I hope you will find this as interesting as I did. You may be interested in checking out these articles as well, "MTHFR Mutation? Oral Contraceptives Not Recommended" and "How Much Methylfolate Should I Take?".

Politics, BCP and abortion

I have no intention of turning this blog into anything political. However, due to the facebook posts plastered in my news feed, I feel the urge to speak up and say my peace.

First, let's talk about America paying for everyone else's birth control and the "Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage regulation". Here you can read the transcript from testimony of Sandra Fluke that has raised a lot of this controversy.

For me her testimony does not convince me on why I should pay for your birth control and the next persons. Her testimony is based on women who she knows and women who have contacted her. The two medical diagnosis that she mentions are PCOS and endometreosis both tht are commonly treated with BCP. But should they? IMO, absolutely not. This is treating a symptom rather then treating the underlying cause. In my previous blog post about PCOS I said, "In the NaPro world there is a surgical procedure called Ovarian Wedge Resection that is used to treat PCOS. NaPro will also treat PCOS with hormone management for the rest of you life which is very important. [...] Not only does this effect a women's reproductive system but it puts women at much higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, high LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and low HDL-C (good cholesterol), heart disease (at least a 7x increase risk), diabetes (by the age of 40, almost 40% of women will develop diabetes), and it is even thought to have a higher incidence of endometrial and breast cancer. So yes, this disease absolutely positively needs to be manage correctly. However, most of the time it is not and a person is given BC instead. Crap!

So I consider her "medical arguement" invalid. This is NOT the way to manage these diseases. I have an issue that doctors hand out BC without doing any type of thrombophilia work up not knowing if a woman is more prone to blood clots when taking BC. This is crap too!!

Our healthcare system is ruled by health insurance companies and let me tell you it will only get worse in the government's hands. Take for example, Medicare and Medicaid. These systems desperately need re-vamped...they aren't working!! Or welfare, another government system that is abused over and over again and used incorrectly.

Also knowing what I know about the Creighton Model and how effective it is when used properly, I don't give a crap that these women can't afford birth control. There is a FREE method out there. Well, I shouldn't say free because you do pay a teacher $50 every time you meet with her but I can guarntee that it does not cost 3K! BTW, where does she get that statistic?

However, people shrug off the Creighton Model because of it being designed by the Catholic Church or because its been drilled in their heads that its not effective. Guess what!? If its used correctly, just like the BCP may I add, its just as effective as the pill. However, this means people have to exercise self control. But if you truly do NOT want to get pg you will exercise self control.

People must remember to take a pill every single day if on BCP. How many of us forget? This puts you at higher risk for pregnancy as well. I'm confused how providing birth control for those that are let's face it, lazy will prevent unintended births as this article suggests.

I am absolutely amazed that Americans believe that we should pay for everyone else's birth control. This is a life style that someone is choosing. What about those who can't have children? Or those who have shoveled out 15K every time they try IVF to have a baby? We aren't paying or helping them out. Insurance companies in the US are not required to have this coverage (minus some states and then there is usually some kind of cap).

Moving on to the arguement of D&C/D&E's. I've heard that the government wants to take away a women's right to have one if she miscarried. This is ludacrious! I'm not quite sure how something like that could be done but to kill something that has a beating heart, is ok? Abortion is legal and I don't see that changing any time soon.

With age, knowledge, experience through RPL I have come to the conclusion that I am more Pro-Choice. However, I am completely against abortion for birth control. Its murder but that is my opinion. I believe life begins at conception and not somewhere inbetween. I've also come to the conclusion that this is not a state or federal government issue. They have no right to tell me what I can and can't do with my uterus. This is a moral issue, a religious issue and something that you and God (or a higher being if you believe) will talk about on judgement day.

I've also heard that some politicians want to make women carry stillborn babies until full-term. This is also ludacrious! That's all I have to say!

If all these cases are true why then can't we require those reproducing at rapid rates to have their tubes tied or getting a snip snip? Seriously? The article that I linked above, "The Fiscal Conservative's Case for Spending More Money on Birth Control", states that providing affordable birth control would decrease health care costs and taxes. Really? According to this article 50% of pregnancies are UNINTENDED and accounts for 3% of Medicaid's total spending equalling $12 B-I-L-L-I-O-N dollars per year. WTH is the other 300 BILLION dollars being spent on?

Just food for thought over 12 million pregnancies per year occur in the US. This statistic does not include miscarriages or abortions. So this figure could be 4+ million higher. So you mean to tell me that 6 million pregnancies are unintended???? Doesn't add up to me....

Want to read another article of things they are proposing? Here ya go 10 Reasons Why the Rest of the World Thinks the US is Nuts.

I'm stepping off of my soap box for now. If you care to share any stories with me that I may have missed please do. I promise this won't become a habit discussing politics.


 

PCOS

Recently, I've helped a friend who I met on the internet do a little diggin about PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome also known as PCOD or Polycystic Ovary Disease. I wanted to share some links and information that we've found.

There is no known cause of why PCOS occurs in women. However, androgens or male hormones, that are normally present in women tend to be much higher in women with PCOS causing an imbalance of hormones. Symptoms may consist of long, irregular cycles, or absence of periods. However, this is not always the case and some women continue to have regular cycles. Other symptoms may or may not include weight gain, decreased breast size, deepening of the voice, increase in hair on chest, face, inner thighs, and even around the areolas called hirsutism, thinning of the hair on the head, reproductive abnormality (usually infertility) and acne. It is very common for those who have PCOS that their female relatives (usually mother or sisters) also have a history of PCOS. Also 50% of women with PCOS have endometreosis, a completely different fertility issue that probably will need to be dealt with.

Not only does this effect a women's reproductive system but it puts women at much higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, high LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and low HDL-C (good cholesterol), heart disease (at least a 7x increase risk), diabetes (by the age of 40, almost 40% of women will develop diabetes), and it is even thought to have a higher incidence of endometrial and breast cancer.

So what happens fertility wise in women with PCOS? Many times its hard to conceive due to long irregular periods and even more commonly the ovaries do not release an egg during ovulation due to the follicles not properly maturing. Instead the ovaries develop cysts on them. Ultrasound will commonly reveal a "string of pearls" on the ovaries (as shown below) which is not normal.

If you are concerned that you have symptoms of PCOS you may be wondering what tests should be performed.

Blood tests:

- Estrogen levels (usually low levels in PCOS)
- FSH levels
- LH levels (Sometimes a reversed FSH:LH ratio level is discovered. Normal is 2:1 ratio)
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- Androstenedione
- DHEAs levels
- Thyroid function tests
- B-endorphin levels


Sometimes a seminal fluid analysis will also be advised for the husband.

Many times a laprascopy, hysteroscopy, and a selective hysterosalpingogram may be recommended as well.


How is PCOS treated? Well it depends what reproductive world you are in. Most of the time doctors will try to control PCOS symptoms with birth control. Please note: this DOES NOT treat the underlying cause of PCOS but rather the symptoms. If trying to conceive Clomid, Metformin and other drugs may be suggested.

In the NaPro world there is a surgical procedure called Ovarian Wedge Resection that is used to treat PCOS. NaPro will also treat PCOS with hormone management for the rest of you life which is very important. Please note there are graphic images on the Ovarian Wedge Resection site and you will need to scroll about half way down. Another NaPro website is Dr. Hilger's website that discusses PCOS and leads to other useful links.

Links I found to be helpful:

PubMed Health on PCOS

Soulcysters - Message Board

Has the Cause of Crib Death (SIDS) been found?

This article came to me on a message board I participate on and I wanted to pass it along. I know it doesn't have anything to do with miscarriage or pregnancy loss but it may be a preventive from Infant Loss; that too many of my friends have experienced. And I hope you never will experience!

Has the Cause of Crib Death (SIDS) been found??

The Duggar Family

Like many people, I am no fan of the Duggar Family or in their beliefs. They could very easily practice NFP, but they are letting it in God's hands to decide how many children they are to have. I find it incredibly hard to believe that you can care for 19+ kids at one time. It is mind boggling. But I am not here to talk about that; to each their own.

I am going to talk about no matter what your beliefs are no woman deserves to go through any loss, yet a pregnancy loss at 20 weeks. Its heartbreaking and one that will be in her memories to the day she dies.

Its also heartbreaking for those on facebook and else where to judge her and say things, "it serves her right". Until you have been through a pregnancy loss or miscarriage you have no right to comment on her loss. No right! I wouldn't wish a miscarriage or pregnancy loss on my worst enemy. There are no words...

Did it serve her right when she miscarried her second pregnancy? Which by the way led to why they have chosen to let in God's hands to decide how many children they have. Should those of us who have losses just stop trying, is that what God is telling us?

God gives us nothing more than what we can handle. His challenges and our struggles make us stronger and better people. They remind us we have so much to be grateful for and in the end God has a plan for us.

I will be praying for Michelle and The Duggar Family tonight.

New Blog

Here is my new blog, as promised Pregnant After RPL. Its a work in progress and doesn't quite feel as "homey".

Ummm....not what I was expecting!

I decided to POAS today, 16 dpo. I have so many OPKs that I was like WTH? Let's see what happens. Before the control line appeared there was a line at the test line. I totally did a double take.

I ran to the other bathroom to grab a dollar store HPT and that line came up rather dark as well. HOLY SHIT!

Not what I was expecting!! This can't be! I was just complaining that this cycle was a bust and that I was tired of BFP announcements and here goes mine.

I am 4w3d pregnant today and I love my baby.

I called, yes called, DH after I got out of the shower and said something along the lines of, "Hey, you're never gonna believe this! :::pause::: I decided to pee on an opk today because my period has not arrived. :::another pause::: It was positive! I got a HPT out and tested with that and its also positive. :::yet another pause::: I'm pregnant!" Needless to say DH was surprised as well and of course commented on the fact that he has super sperm. :::eye roll:::

DH called my doctor due to the fact that I had jury duty today. Kathy, Dr. Daggs nurse of course sent me for blood work later that afternoon. She warned me that this may still be left over HCG from my injections, which we all were fully aware of. However, if you remember the cycle before I tested out until AF arrived and my line at 15dpo was barely there.

Things however do look promising at 16 dpo my hcg level was 1032 & progesterone was 40. :::SHOCK::: When Kathy called to give me the results she said that these levels were great and Dr. Daggs said that these levels are high enough to support a multiple pregnancy. :::EYES POPPING OUT OF MY HEAD::: However, we would confirm that these levels are rising on Monday (really that long?) and when levels reach between 6-10 thousand I will have my first u/s. She said that she did not want to get my hopes up but that these numbers were excellent.

Now, this is the last time you will hear about Baby #6, unless of course I miscarry. I plan to get a new blog up and running that way those of you who are reading this blog will continue to visit and feel that this is a safe place. I don't plan to stop posting about RPL and miscarriage. I will pass along information as I come about it.

:::HUGS::: to all who need them! And especially to those who find this post difficult to read. I will be praying for you!!!

I'm soooo over....

BFP announcements!

Facebook statuses that relate to being pregnant, again BFP announcements, posting weekly milestones, announcing c-section or induction is scheduled and giving people who want to visit restrictions AND instructions on when they can visit in the maternity ward. (Seriously if this wasn't a public blog I would probably cut & paste this 680 word status because I really just want to tell her to get over herself! Really you couldn't do this in a more private way?)

GO F*** OFF & SUCK IT!

Sorry, I'm going to chalk all this up to PMS. This really hasn't bothered me too much lately but tonight...tonight it is not sitting well.

This cycle = BUST

I don't want to go into much detail because this pertains more to my husband than to me of why this cycle is a bust. His Low T is making things way more complicated. Unfortnatly I don't think he is doing a damn thing about it which is frustrating me even more!

On a better note, I did my 3 injections this cycle anyways. I was instructed to cut my dose in half because of my hormone levels being so high last cycle. I feel sooooo much better then I did last time around. I have slight symptoms that could be confused w/ pre-menstrual symptoms. This I can handle.

Today is 9 dpo and I had more bloodwork to see where my levels are at so I'm sure I will post soon to let ya'll know where they are at.

More rambles

AF arrived the very next day, 16 dpo. But that's not what I'm here to post about.

I'm here to tell you that I am soooooo sick of doctors who went to medical school and know S-Q-U-A-T!!! I'm so annoyed with the entire education system but that is a whole other subject. I'm tired of doctors slapping band aids (or progesterone or clomid) on patients and saying, "Lets see if this works." They take credit for it if it does work however, they have no interest in finding out why it worked. They don't even think that this could affect a woman's health in other ways. If it doesn't work, they try something else. Doesn't this put a woman more at risk? Why is this acceptable? Why aren't more women concerned? Why does everyone place so much faith and trust in their doctors? I am not saying that there aren't good doctors out there but all the stories I hear, I wonder how many there really are.

I'm so frustrated that NFP (& the Catholic Church) has gotten such a bad wrap that people don't logically look at NaProTechnology and how it works. Most doctors don't even know really what it is and dismiss it immediately. How discouraging! I guess because I am a investigator in nature and methodically examine things that I question how something is going to work. I guess this is what has brought me answers the past few months.

I feel bad for those who are new to RPL and/or multiple losses. I remember nobody listening to me and reassuring me that I was "normal" but they didn't do their jobs to the fullest. They didn't test for what should have been testing for. Instead I had to research the internet and read countless books to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

I do want to share that I am Catholic. However, if this was something that Judaism discovered, I would still be participating in NaPro. I'll be honest, I don't believe in a lot of what the Catholic church does or says. There are things I do agree with and NaPro is one of them. I'm just shocked at how much sense this system makes and I wish everyone going through RPL and/or infertility would seek out a fertility specialist within the NaPro system. I want everyone to get answers that I worked so hard to get as easily as I did (once I found the right doctor).

Stepping off my soap box now.

Barely there

Well, I'm out for this cycle. My line is getting lighter and lighter and taking longer to appear. I just hope AF comes quickly and gets on with it. This way I can move on.

I feel like this is the 5th time I've been tricked. Really. With all my other m/c's I had similiar symptoms and POOF they just disappear as this one did. I'm really glad that my ob is decreasing my dosage so (hopefully) I won't feel as pregnant as I did this time.

POAS, POAS again & repeat!

Sorry, I had better intentions of "documenting" my first round of hcg injections but life got in the way a bit.

Let me see what I can remember...

7 dpo I gave myself another injection...piece of cake.

I promised I would wait until 10 dpo to test but I gave in at 8 dpo at lunch time. Here is what I got...

The second line or the lighter pink line appeared in 20 secs. No surprise that there was a 2nd line but I was surprised how quickly it appeared and how dark it was. So I figured why not do an experiment and test with FMU every day for the next 8 days?

Yes, I enjoy torturing myself.

Who doesn't after TTCAL??? I think it is a sick thing we do but something we cannot help! We just HAVE to know.

9 dpo I repeated the hcg injection and it left a nasty bruise this time. Granted I am on baby asprin so that probably does not help. But before I gave myself my last injection for the cycle I tested again...

I also went in for 9 dpo blood work to check my progesterone & estrogen levels to see how my body was responding to the hcg. When I got there the first question out of my mouth was, "Just how pregnant should I feel?" The two nurses in the lab chuckled to themselves and asked, "Well just how pregnant do you feel?" I said my bb's are killing me & I'm tired (and at that point I felt about 8 weeks pg minus the nausea). Of course they asked if I was experiencing any nausea and I didn't until the.very.next.day.

The following days, 10-12 dpo:

In theory, the test above I shouldn't have any hcg left in my system from shot #1. Notice the line is lighter.

On Friday, Cathy, Dr. Dagg's nurse called me. She said that I was responding very well to the injections. So well that IF I wasn't pregnant this cycle they wanted to decrease my dose to half of what I was giving myself. My progesterone at 9 dpo was 57 and my estrogen was well over 200. Last cycle, without the injections my progesterone at 9 dpo was 5.8 and my estrogen was in the high 60's if I remember correctly.

HUGE DIFFERENCE!! This wasn't even my "peak day" for my hormone levels. That would have been 7 dpo when progesterone & estrogen levels peak. These were actually falling numbers. No wonder I feel pregnant!!!

13 dpo test:

This line to me seems darker than 12 dpo.

Again, in theory shot #1 & #2 should be out of my system. Notice the line again is lighter. However, in ALL fairness. I did NOT take this picture at the same time as I did the others. I woke up at 6 AM & had to pee badly. This line appeared in 15 secs but all the other tests I showered and then took the pictures so they had at least 10-15 minutes to sit before being photographed. This MIGHT, might have been 5 minutes and then I shoved it back into its packaging. I know dumb but I was at a hotel in Morgantown, WV (huge WVU fans) with DH, DS & my FIL (father in law).

I don't have the bb soreness as badly as I did last week but they do feel full and a bit tender still. I've been e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d all this week and even have had a bit insomnia which is very weird for me. My salavia production is ridiculous! I'm spitting when I'm talking! How embarassing!?! I haven't felt any CL pain but my stomach has in general felt weird. I'm hungry a lot! I'm not sure about my sense of smell. However, I'm pretty sure thats also increased. DH hasn't commented on it yet. But I walked by the porta-pottys while tailgating and I could barely stomach the smell. Usually I can "deal" with it but I was ready to gag. In general I'm achy and feel blah but that seems to be getting better compared to a few days ago.

And just for fun:

So we shall see what tomorrow brings. But as we all know it will start with peeing on a stick (POAS). ;-)

5 dpo

and I learned how to give myself my hcg injections. I successfully administered 1 cc into my belly and I didn't even flinch. I'm beyond thrilled! Thrilled to be injecting myself and have an answer.

I'm 5 dpo and I'm convinced I'm pregnant.

My boobs hurt, like that feeling you get that you just have to take your bra off. When you get it off your boobs hurt worse for 10 seconds. Know what I'm talking about? Yea, I've had that sensation in most of my pregnancies.

I've also noticed some left ovary twinges. C'mon corpus luteum (CL)!!! Do your job!!!

Also I've noticed more saliva production.

BUT this is all insane at 5dpo!!!!!

I'm trying to tell myself I won't be disappointed if we don't get a  BFP this cycle. I can just look back and say, "hey this was a practice cycle, to get the swing of these shots."

Yesterday, Mike said to me, "I don't think you are pg this cycle." His words stung and still echo in my head.

So if AF doesn't show by 16 dpo, I'm to go in for blood work.

The day I've been dreading.......

October 23, 2011. The day I've been dreading for some 7 1/2 months. I sit here wide awake past midnight, once again after watching a movie.

I sit here empty handed with a heavy aching heart. Trust me, it makes it easier that I have Landon, no doubt...but I can't help but hurt! And grief the day that should have been my 2nd child's birthday.

I can't help think about the things that should be different, the nursery, the endless sleepless nights, introducing Landon to his new sibling, Landon's big boy room, the cries of a newborn.....I can't help but think about what should have been...

But yet here I sit almost anxious of the thought of having a toddler and a newborn.

Hopefully, after today I will be able to move on. Since getting answers I think, it has brought me some peace but getting through today...will be the last milestone of my 5th pregnancy.

:::Breathe in, breathe out:::


Thankfully, I have very good friends that will help me get through this day. I especially want to thank Lisa who sent me this in the mail (just 2 weeks after having twins)!!!

Thank you so much Lisa for remembering, it means the world to me! Thank you for being there for me in some of my deepest, darkest hours & some of the happiest days of my life!! You are a true friend and a sister forever!!!



Let's talk....LPD

So as you can imagine, I'm still thrilled that I have a diagnosis, that we have a plan and you can bet that I've spent a lot of time reading about Type III LPD.

There are 5 types of LPD, which I only knew that there was at least 3 types. So let's talk about each of these.

- Type I LPD - In this particular woman, progesterone increases (as it should) after ovulation & within a short amount of time decrease. So instead of progesterone levels peaking around 7dpo, it peaks at 3 dpo and decreases from there.

This abnormality can be associated with RPL and sometimes women with infertility.

- Type II LPD - In this woman, the length of the luteal phase is normal but a low amount of progesterone is produced.

This abnormality is most common and seen in women with regular cycles and women experiencing infertility.

- Type III LPD - aka late luteal defect. In this woman, progesterone rises after ovulation and sometimes even higher than average levels and around 7dpo progesterone falls significantly. Anything more then a 50% drop is consider Type III.

This abnormality is seen in women with infertility, miscarriages & PMS.

- Type IV LPD - In this woman, progesterone levels are much lower on 3 dpo & return to normal on 5 & 7 dpo.

This type is very rare.

- Type V LPD - In this woman, estrogen & progesterone levels are normal before ovulation but after ovulation there is a decrease in estrogen production.

Out of the five types, this is the only one that involves estrogen & it appears this may be a precursor to osteoporosis according to "The NaProTECHNOLOGY Revolution" book, by Dr. Hilgers.

Type IV & V are the least understood.

A lot of modern doctors, in my journey have dismissed LPD and told me that it does not exist and here is why....
"Modern medicine" recognizes the following to test to see if a woman is ovulating: 1) shift in basal body temp 2) endometrial biopsy (which is rarely done now) 3) an elevated progesterone level (which most doctors do on CD 21 4) a positive OPK.  However, none of these 4 options determine if ovulation is normal, defective or if it even occurred.

"Over 56% of women with both infertility and regular cycles the ovulation is either ABSENT OR DEFECTIVE!"

Yet modern medicine has turned their head in the other direction of NaProTECHNOLOGY and its discoveries. Modern medicine is suppose to be evidence based but here NaPro is 30+ years ahead of these guys.

Angry? Frustrated? Yea, I was too and still am for those who don't know better!!! I feel modern medicine is injustice to their patients and thats a darn shame!

Just to prove to you that NaPro is way ahead of the game, I found an article on LPD on Global Library of Women's Medicine. It states:

"The most problematic aspect of a review of LPD is the persistent lack of universal standards for definition and diagnosis. Jones¹ claimed that the most accurate means of diagnosis was performing daily assays of serum progesterone throughout the luteal phase but noted that this is impractical except in a research setting. (Impractical or just not willing or fearful insurance companies won't pay???) Divergent opinions persist regarding the clinical gold standard for measurement of LPD; this has led to tremendous variability in the estimated prevalence and cure rates in infertile populations. This chapter reviews seminal points regarding LPD that have been reported in a wide variety of investigations."

Feel free to share your thoughts with me!

October 15th, WORLDWIDE, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Rememberance Day

Absolutely Beautiful! Please join me this Saturday at 7 PM by lighting a candle for the baby or babies you, a friend, a family member or even a stranger have lost!

New Page

Check out my book review page if you are looking for a book recommendation regarding miscarriage! Yes, I'm a dork! I know. But I wish I would have had this information at my finger tips when I was going through my m/c's. I'm amazed how many books are now on amazon.com regarding infertility, miscarriage, RPL, stillbirth & infant loss.

OMG OMG OMG!!! Jumping up and down!!!!

No...again, I'm NOT pregnant! But I am getting answers!!!!! Despite my awful feeling about my blood work not showing anything... I was so wrong!!!

My ob/gyn's nurse just called. Discussed some of the numbers with me and told me I have Type III Luteal Phase Defect!

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!

So what I do know right now is that my estradiol was low even though the peak was 103 on 7dpo. Dr. Daggs wants to see it at 110-150 (units?! I have no idea). The bigger problem was my progesterone was 17 on 7dpo but drastically dropped to 5.8 in 2 days. Anything over a 50% drop is consider Type III Luteal Phase Defect!!!!

Holy shit people! I could cry but I'm cheesin at the same time from ear to ear!!!

What does this mean and where do I go from here?

Type III LPD is treated with HCG shots (I believe Kathy said at 5dpo & 7dpo). We are starting this cycle!!!! I will learn how to give these injections to myself...and I don't even care that I have to inject myself.

I'm beyond thrilled that I am finally getting somewhere. Landon qualified for early intervention this afternoon after I got the news and I don't even care....it won't ruin this day that I finally feel like I'm on top of this stupid RPL mountain and finally on my way to overcoming it!!!!

Off to see if I can google LPD types!!!

OMG OMG OMG!

I really love this blog...

If you haven't checked this blog out yet you really, really should Miscarriage - Recurrent Miscarriage!!! I love the stuff that Sandy posts on this blog.

And in particular check out this blog post that Sandy posted! I will warn that this article is from 2008. Funny, I haven't heard of it being successful or anyone in the states trying it. I would like to do some more research about it and ask my doctor.

Here is what I found on wikipedia about anandamide:
"Anandamide is also important for implantation of the early stage embryo in its blastocyst form into the uterus. Therefore cannabinoids such as Δ⁹-THC might influence processes during the earliest stages of human pregnancy. Peak plasma anandamide occurs at ovulation and positively correlates with peak estradiol and gonadotrophin levels, suggesting that these may be involved in the regulation of AEA levels."

WTF?!?!

I'm angry. Very angry at my body!

Of all cycles that we do hormonal profile and I sit here typing this at 15 dpo. Seriously!?!? I haven't had a cycle like this for a long freakin' time. I'm lucky if I am 12 dpo by the time AF shows her ugly head.

I already checked...twice as a matter of fact...I'm NOT pregnant. So what gives?! Did I subconsciously think about this and my body said, "Ah we'll just F*$& w/ her since she s getting her blood work done this cycle." What gives?!

I'm pissed. I feel like this blood work was a waste this cycle. Can't wait to hear what my Ob/gyn has to say this time....