First Step - Clomid

When I visited the GP to discuss undergoing fertility treatment, he discussed making a referral to an assisted reproduction unit, but in the mean time he prescribed me a course of Clomiphene to see if this could trigger ovualtion. As soon as I was given the prescription, I thought - this is it - I will be pregnant by the end of the month. Because I didn't have a natural cycle and no period, first of all I had to take a drug called norethisterone to trigger a withdrawal bleed, then on days 3-7 of the cycle following the bleed I took the clomiphene. On day 21 I had to go for a blood test to check hormone levels and to see if I had ovulated. The two months that it took to complete the whole cycle and receive the results back felt like the longest two months of my life. I really don't think I appreciated or the GP appreciated the emotional strain such a seemingly simple 'trial' would have on me. Needless to say the results were dissapointing, and it appeared that I had not ovulated. So, the next step was to wait for the referral to the assisted conception unit. But it seemed that everytime I got some bad news, I transferred my hope and longing on to the next step.

The Journey to have a baby.

I always knew that I wanted  to have a baby, and wanted to try as soon as, if not before we got married. So, a few months before the wedding I went to see the GP. The GP told me to stop taking the dianette (pill) as in his eyes I had been on it far too long. I assumed that as soon as I stopped taking it miraculously - I might suddenly start a cycle and conceive. I even went as far as to do a pregnancy test every now and again. Was it naivety, desperation, longing. Whatever it was this was only the start of the journey for me. I don't think I can put into words how overwhelming the longing was. People may think it silly, selfish. I know over the course of the years I have read some very hurtful things about women who undergo IVF. But in my opinion, not only did I have a physical issue with trying to conceive, but the longing starts to cause emotional changes, and these in turn had an effect on my own life and put a terrible strain on my relationship.