Our Time, Our Journey: Journey to be Parents

While Scott and I have only been married for 4 months, almost 5, we have been talking a lot about when we would like to start a family. It is also one of those questions we hear a lot here in Utah..."When will you have a baby?", or when you say "Hey guess what?" The response usually tends to be "You are pregnant!". If only some could have an answer, or if sometimes you could say "why, yes, we are!". However, that is not always the case.

You see, its actually not easy for some. I have something called PCOS, and to be honest, many women do have to. For some women it is controlled and for others it is not. PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and it is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant due to lack of hormones, and cysts that develop in the overys. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as Diabetes and Heart Disease. PCOS may also cause Insulin Resistance, and may even lead to Endometriosis (Scar Tissue in the Uterus).

I was diagnosed with this in May, 2013. I have met many women now who also have PCOS, and they have had some great success, and others not that great. PCOS is something a women is born with, it can be passed down from a mother or from the fathers side, it is genetic. Millions of women struggle with this, and some more than others. Now, how did I go almost 22 years of not knowing? Simple, I grew up dancing which masked a lot of my symptoms, but because I am adopted, some symptoms were overlooked. When I stopped dancing, I gained weight extremely fast, and it is weight that is amazingly hard to get rid of. It its in my face, and my stomach. Not my arms, back, or legs. In 4 years, my weight went from 110 to 160, and has stayed there, no matter exercise, or diet.

I did have many symptoms that were over looked, let me share them with you:
-Some facial hair. My hair is thick and dark, we never thought anything of it.
-Irregular and heavy menstrual cycles. Overlooked because my dance routine would change, and I always had one.
-Horrible mood swings. But as a teenager what is new?
-Migraines. I have had them since I was 5, but no explanations, only guessing.

FINALLY, the symptoms to reveal all!
-Skin discoloration. I had splotches of Purple skin every so often on my body. Apparently low vitamin d levels can reveal a lot.
-Horrible sleep apnea.

I now am currently taking Vitamin D 1000 units, Niacin, and Metformin 1000 mg. My levels have improved quite a bit, however, with lack of taking care of it sooner, and with help from an improperly placed IUD, I am now heavily bearing Endometriosis. Due to the PCOS and the levels of my Endometriosis, my doctor has a few suggestions for us:
1. In vitro Fertilization (can be thousands of dollars)
2. Adoption
3. Clomid, a fertility medication, which still is not cheap, but for now is a cheaper, doable option.

We have decided to take option 3, and would love to have you will us on our journey. Those women who have had a great success rate, are the women who are my hero's, and who I look too.

On Tuesday I receive my medication schedule, along with much more. We are hoping for success within the year, but I am only 22 and Scott is 23, we have all the time in the world for beginning our family. We already have a puppy, that should count for something!