Making The Call
With some research under my belt, and my fertility clinic chosen, I felt ready for the next step… making that call! I nervously dialed and was slightly let down when my call went to voicemail. I fumbled my way through a message, leaving my details and probably repeating my name and phone number more times than necessary. Just 16 hours later the clinic called me back to schedule my first appointment!
Zoom Zoom
Three days later I was face-to-face with a very kind female doctor via Zoom for a preliminary information gathering meeting . I shared a bit about my adoption journey and that I was investigating other options to having a child. She collected my general health history, and discussed my age, weight and options. At this point I wasn’t even sure what procedure(s) I was asking about.
They Call it “Advanced Age” Now
At 47 years old I am considered “advanced age” in the fertility world. A slight improvement from the previous terminology of “geriatric”. Very slight, ha! The doctor explained that undergoing fertility treatment to harvest my own eggs would be an option. But she was frank – at my age – the odds for a healthy, successful pregnancy would be very low using my own eggs.
I had already done a ton of research about this, so hearing this news from her was not the least bit surprising or upsetting to me. Since the early stages of my journey were rooted in the idea of adoption, it wasn’t such a big leap for me to imagine using donor genetic material.
The doctor almost seemed relieved to hear that I was planning to use donor eggs and sperm! I can imagine how sensitive this conversation is with patients who are hoping to use their own eggs. And if that’s your hope… go for it! Just because the chances are lower using the eggs of an “advanced age” mother, doesn’t mean it’s not possible. It just wasn’t the path for me. Do you research, talk to your medical team, and make the choice that’s best for you!
Early Tests and Assessments
We then reviewed the various tests that would be conducted to check the health of my uterus and assess my ability to carry a pregnancy to full term. There would be lots of paperwork, bloodwork, a full bladder ultrasound, and a sonohysterogram. She also asked me to start taking prenatal vitamins immediately. Oooooooh! That suddenly made things feel real!
And with that, my fertility journey had begun. I had officially pivoted away from adoption and was taking things into my own hands (and womb!). I hung up the Zoom call and excitedly dashed off to the pharmacy to buy some Centrum prenatal vitamins and DHA. I am thrilled to be on a new path!
