How I finally got pregnant with one tube and a miscarriage

3 years ago, I had a miscarriage when I was 7 weeks pregnant. It would probably not be such a heartbreaking experience if not for the fact that The Hubby and I had been trying real hard to have a baby for more than 12 months. You know, ovulation kits, temperature monitoring, body checkups, blood tests, the whole works. After the loss, we refused to give up and went straight back into trying for a baby rightaway. Two months past, two more disappointments.

Third month came, still not my month. I flew to Jeju for a business trip. Unfortunately for me, Jeju, an island in South Korea, was a family (think lots and lots of children) resort. Everywhere I turned, I was reminded of my inadequacies and it was torture. I spent whatever non-business time I had in Jeju researching the Internet for causes for miscarriage and infertility hoping to find answers. Then I found it: Hydrosalpinx.

Medical researches related to IVFs showed that Hydrosalpinx, a fluid that builds up in a blocked fallopian tube, reduced IVF treatments by as much as 50% (see one such paper at http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/11/5/1013.pdf) and its presence also correlates to miscarriage risk.

Then it all clicked. You see I had an ectopic pregnancy 2 years prior to the miscarriage. Since the pregnancy was unplanned and it resolved on its own without active treatment, I did not give much thought to it. Not until I was all ready to conceive anyway. I went for the HSG test (to examine womb) 6 months after trying to conceive to check if both my fallopian tubes were blocked. Thankfully, the tests showed that I had a blocked tube with Hydrosalpinx buildup but my other tube was perfect. Since I still had one good tube, I thought nothing of the Hydrosalpinx.

Armed with the miscarriage and infertility info related to Hydrosalpinx, I knew what I had to do. Once I got back from my trip, I went straight to the OBGYN and requested for her to cut off the bad tube and explained my findings on from the Net. She was extremely sceptical and said that this was new to her. I returned later in the day to her clinic with the researches printed off the Net. She then went on hmm-humming while reading the printouts and said that the researches were based on pregnancies related to IVFs so were inconclusive. I couldn't believe my ears! If hydrosalpinx affects IVF's outcomes, why wouldn't it affect normal pregnancies too since the only difference between the two is the insemination process?! Besides, I do not see any harm in removing a useless tube other than the inconvenience to me. Removing it could also prevent me having another ectopic pregnancy. It was a no-brainer.

At my insistence, the OBGYN reluctantly performed a salpingectomy to remove the tube. The Hubby and I tried again two months after the surgery. This time round, I conceived. No miscarriage! Naturally, I switched my OBGYN. :p

The Daughter is now two years old. The Son who is now eight months old was conceived easily within 2 months of trying. I do not think it is a coincidence.

So for all you ladies out there who are trying to conceive or have multiple miscarriages, I am writing this blog specially to help you. Still don't know what to do? Go take a HSG test and if you have a blocked tube, remove it. If both tubes are badly blocked with Hydrosalpinx buildup, you may want to remove them and go for IVF. If it's neither, go for a thorough checkup. If you have a question, please feel free to post your comments here and I'll be happy to answer it.

Remember, never ever ever give up! Remember the OBGYN is not always right and if you are doubtful, get a second opinion. Remember my story. Remember to keep having lots and lots of sex!