Here's the Fertility Plan Moving Forward (Follow-Up Appt.) | TTC with an Ostomy | Let's Talk IBD

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Make sure to let your IBD doctor know about this conference! crohnscolitiscongress.org/?Maggie&

[@erina1142]

I got a little teary watching this. We tried for 4 years with no baby. We did all of the tests, and nothing seemed wrong. It was just a really dark, hard time. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. We did an iui, and it worked the first time. I'm actually pregnant now with my third baby. Baby 2 and 3 came about naturally, very quickly after we started trying for them. My ob said it's a common phenomenon that once you get pregnant, your body just figures it out for future pregnancies. I didn't want to comment because I actually didn't want to hear anyone's fertility success stories when I was going through it. Salt in the wound or something. But remembering the pain and frustration of it all and realizing it's all a completely gone part of the past... is something I hope for you years down the road.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Thank you for sharing this!! This is very healing to hear!! Looking online I'm often flooded with the non-success stories, which is why I'm not very hopeful for IUI. It is very nice to hear it working for some!!

[@rashep]

I'm an embryologist and im so happy to see how well informed you are about the IUI process. Knowledge is power and i wish you all the success in the world

[@SaraSullivan-pf2xn]

I’m an 81 year old retired nurse who long ago, had two daughters, three years apart. I never got pregnant again for nine years of regular sexual relations and then I got pregnant, followed by a miscarriage, then had two sons. Never k ew why the nine year gap. I follow you because as an LVN, I had many patients with an osromy but had little supplies and not much training. Please hang in there and ignore advice, as it’s all your life!😊❤️

[@wendyy__6893]

Good luck to both of you Maggie! 🩷 I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and was told it was going to be hard to get pregnant after my surgeries.. I had a total colectomy, with a Jpouch due to my UC. Almost two years later after my last surgery I got pregnant! It was a surprise to both & here we are expecting our first little one. I wish you guys the best on your journey 🩷

[@laura6796]

Good luck! I wish you the absolute best!! You guys will be wonderful parents ❤❤

[@lesleyharris525]

Congratulations, wishing you the very best, ❤

[@adriennelangewisch22]

I had "unexplained infertility" as well, and we knew we didn't want to do IVF, so I went to a NaPro doctor. They focus on finding the actual caus of infertility. Im holding that baby now, good look to you!

[@annabanana9863]

Family of mine did IVF with their first after 10 years of trying. They had #1 and a few months before trying again with IVF they found out they where pregnant with #2. She said, it was like her body just worked it out and it happened. Wishing you all the luck on this journey you are about to take ❤

[@MeghanCaryBrown]

Maggie! I was on Clomid!!! That’s how we got pregnant with our little girl 🥹💕 it’s not terrible at all - this is an exciting time for you, all the positivity and baby dust! ✨✨

[@ShannaMalone-wp8fb]

Please don’t give up on normal trying to get pregnant. I also have crohns and it was really hard for me to get pregnant. I tried for 6 years to have my daughter. I pray that you get your wish to have a baby. I truly understand what you’re going through.

[@oliviaclelland9759]

Good luck to y’all! I’m a PA in internal med, and stage 4 endo patient. Also had a normal HSG at the start of our journey, but a subsequent laparoscopic surgery 3 months later revealed that 1 tube was blocked and my tubes were located very far away from my ovaries due to scar tissue. Due to this, we opted to skip IUI and proceed with IVF. First transfer was successful, currently 15 weeks pregnant. Just wanted to share my experience as a fellow scar tissue sufferer and I do pray that y’all have an easier road!

[@oliviaclelland9759]

Likely having to have an ostomy in the coming years due to endo infiltrating my colon, so have been watching your channel. Thanks for all you do!

[@katieyoung7271]

Wishing all the best for you guys❤ My mom had IBD and was told she would never have kids. My sister and I had other plans😀

[@shanekarrensandercock9514]

Good luck Maggie and Zac, I don't have an ostomy, I have non cancerous pituitary tumor, which means I didn't ovulate and instead my body thought I had just given birth and I lactated. At 39, after ten years of taking horrible medication to shrink it, tests and never being pregnant and we thought we would try one last time. One dose of clomid, pregnant and I had my baby boy at 40 and he's now 16. Dreams do come true and don't give up.

[@alyssazachman307]

From personal experience, the ovidrel sounds super scary (I had the same thoughts as you), but it was a breeze! Easiest part of the whole process once you stop overthinking it! You got this girl! Cheering for you!

[@SandraEKitchen]

IUI will give you SO much insight as to how your body works and maybe answer some questions as to why you aren’t getting pregnant yourself! This is an awesome step and hopefully this will make you get pregnant!!! So excited for you to get to this step!!

[@susananderson104]

I have 2 Clomid babies my son is 36 and my daughter is 29 wish you all the best take care x

[@doreenpollock]

I really, really hope that all goes well for you Maggie and Zak ❤❤ You both will be fantastic parents ❤❤

[@Fuzzyin08]

Best of luck to you guys!! Sending all the baby dust. I think waiting and doing the process when you’re ready is the best way to go about it. 💕

[@jackiehoward7300]

Maggie, I pray that you and Zach will be blessed with a baby soon. I am sorry that a doctor told you that you will never do something. No one can predict the future or what advances medical technology will be made. Merry Christmas.

[@davidlaroche4537]

Best of luck with IUI. Hope it works.

[@hollylanevintagetreasures]

This sounds like this has a fair chance of working! I certainly hope and pray it does for you guys. Thanks again for sharing all this, I have always been very curious how this all worked. Very very interesting.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Thank you!! I'm hoping (but trying not to hope too much) :)

[@aliciakillen1940]

We got pretty close to the same numbers that you were told about infertility and chances with IUI. sadly we wasted many years doing IUIS over and over again trying to avoid the cost of IVF. sounds like they don’t let you do that anymore with saying you should just try it 3 x. Which is good! So good luck, I have known many people who it DID work for them. For us IVF worked. We have 11 yr old twins now so it ended well!😁

[@juliae.8237]

It sounds like you have a good doctor. Deep breath and release. You both have this!

[@mariahstieve4958]

Best of luck! My husband and I didn’t feel like IVF was for us either for a long time. We were pretty firm on sticking to IUI or nothing. Eventually our thoughts on it changed but that’s okay too. You’re allowed to have feelings about something and you’re also allowed to have them change later. Infertility in such a personal thing and unless you’ve experienced it, you will never truly know what it’s like and what tough decisions have to be made along the way. Can’t wait to hear how it goes! You’ll do great! (Also, I was SO nervous about the shots and meds but I promise you’ll laugh at yourself for even sweating over it once you’ve done it. So easy!)

[@HiPlainsThrifter]

Exciting. Progress is good!

[@kerryb1653]

All the best Maggie! I had endometriosis and later found I had PCOS when I was trying for about 2 years. I was devastated. My bloods showed I wasn't ovulating. I took Clomid on its own for one cycle. Never thought it would work especially after endometriosis - bingo, pregnant! I'll never forget the pain of ovulation on that drug. Modern medicine can work miracles, I hope you get some good news too, at some stage!!

[@Jane-lp8so]

What a great video, very informative, Tks for sharing…wishing only the best for you and Zac…cheers from The Maritimes 🎉

[@nancystewart2063]

I don't know if this is an option, but some companies offer their employees help with infertility and adoption fees. I'm happy to hear your doctor has a plan for your future. Keeping my fingers crossed for you guys.

[@donnazerbe8000]

Much prayers and hugs.

[@AusNetFan13]

Greetings Maggie. First thing if you don't release a video before Christmas, I wish you and Zac a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Yes, I'm saying prayers for the both of you. It'll be so fun seeing either a little Maggie or Zac running around. Maggie, I have faith in you. Both of you are terrific. A side question: Have you thought of becoming a facial expressions model? You're so terrific for that. Your expressions are beautiful. Much prayers for your upcoming pregnancy. Blessings for you and Zac.

[@ireneferrante2313]

Wishing you all the best in this journey. I had surgery for ovarian cycsts and was told my tubes were blocked Pregnancy was not possible. Had 3 live births and 2 miscarriages. Keeping you in my prayers.

[@gemmi1]

We can have that hope for you Maggie 🙏

[@marciadichiara5688]

Maggie my daughter got pregnant with IUI first time. Sadly miscarried but got pregnant naturally after her loss. Wishing you blessings and prayers for a good journey. ❤

[@susanschellenberg6980]

Best wishes, Maggie as you embark on this journey!❤️

[@SharpLife4]

Drives me nuts when people say to adopt and or surrogate etc. It’s so expensive to adopt and complicated for surrogate as well. Costly if you wanes that route anyways. Etc

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I think it comes from a good place... just maybe someone not in our position haha! Seems like a great idea on paper but there is a lot to any method of starting a family!

[@SharpLife4]

@@LetsTalkIBD the other this is I have many other medical issues. And adoption you often have to pass an medical. But to have my own you don’t. So it’s kind of ridiculous of a process. And surrogacy you have to be chosen by the surrogacy. Or know someone. And you have to pay for a lot of treatment and the process and it costs thousands and then you need to reimburse their time. If they have to Miss work for a long period due to Complications and etc. If can cost a unrealistic amounts. ESP cause any money you have you want to use on the actual child. You could be bankrupt before they even get here. Even if you have a decent income. But people also judge when you say those options are hard and expensive esp the adoption part cause they think it’s east. Because often many people know someone who was adopted and their process was more simple. Like a sibling used drugs and they got to keep the kids etc. Where if you don’t know people it’s not that easy. Definitely sucks. I’m in teb situation where my fertility issue is not explained. I ovulate. My tubes are clean. Everything checks out. I had two kids. But over 11 years ago. And same life since but diagnosed with rare disorder where drs worry if I got pregnant but said it’s my choice so don’t even want to help though. But this issue due to damage may jsut be sperm cant make it there properly. Or easily. So I Hope they will do Iui

[@traceyflater]

It's easy for them to say. And not their decision to make.

[@pjk1714]

I'm just happy you have a sound option. It can work and then the real work happens to carry as full-term as possible. The two of you will support each other through the process ❤ Cycle's roll forward and can reset appearing late. This can happen repeatedly each month until it settles for a few years. It's a hormonal thing. Ask your doctor if the progesterone might contribute to it while trying. Btw, you look so much healthier now. ❤

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Thank you!! I may ask about the progesterone because I was wondering if it might be helpful in the meantime!

[@melissafrey7015]

I was diagnosed with IBD in 2009, I’ve had three full term pregnancies and 2 miscarriages (one due to my first ever IBD flare)by 2013. In 2021, 1 year after my ileostomy surgery I found out I was pregnant again. I’ve always wanted one more child. Sadly I miscarried. My GI wants me to remove the remaining part of my rectum and make my ostomy permanent. I’ve been watching your videos and following your story since before I had my ostomy surgery. It’s because of you that I’ve had the knowledge to discuss my concerns about my next steps with my doctor and am able to wait on the surgery. Given its potential impact on fertility, I’ve chosen to hold off and have yearly scopes to check on my progress to make sure it’s safe to continue waiting. This way I can keep my fertility chances higher as I still desire my fourth and final Frey (our last name lol). Anyway thank you for your videos. They are so encouraging. I hope IUI works for you. IBD babies are possible! Also it’s thanks to you that I learned I didn’t have to use drainable ostomy bags. What a game changer that was for me. 😂. Thank you!

[@desyloohoo]

IVF after 8 years of male factor infertility and I promise the injections are not as bad as you will work it up in your head! It took me a solid half hour to get up the guts to put the needle into myself but I ended up not even feeling it lol. My suggestion is to close your eyes and take a deep breath in, then put the needle in while you exhale. Alternatively you can use an ice pack to numb the skin and then do it. Hoping for the best! It’s an awful journey in the empty arms phase.

[@W.Rain.]

Good luck 🤞🤞🤞

[@olingecko]

I'm excited for you! And I agree with the theory that IUI might solve the fact that a sperm might be caught in the pool. Cautiously optimistic.

[@Michael-fd8ob]

Good luck and I’m hoping that this works well for you.

[@colleenstromatt4041]

IUI worked for me! After years of infertility!

[@lauramiller1022]

You both need to do what is best for the both of you. In your hearts and minds. Just take one step at a time. Move at your own pace. Happy holidays to you both. Think of the New Year as new beginnings

[@betsybrennan7101]

It sounds so involved. Back in the 80s I was on Clomid only for several months then it finally worked . We didn’t have IUI. Best of luck guys!

[@virginiahamel8973]

Very exciting Praying for you

[@garsu1229]

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking your outpouch !!! Please take us with you on this journey this WILL happen Maggie ❤❤❤

[@patriciamiller7133]

Good luck. I hope it works out for you. ❤

[@Michael2x]

You’re an absolutely beautiful person! I hope it all works out for you and your family!

[@davidleslie1963]

Maggie, best of luck and prayers for you. You are strong and amazing. Being a nurse has helped you so much. I am learning a lot from you. Also, when I had one of my hip replacements I had to inject myself into my stomach and it became no problem after a while. You will do great. Patience is frustrating. LOL

[@willsmom93]

Good luck Maggie. IUI worked for me!

[@liberalfundamentalist8667]

Hoping all your dreams come true.

[@fliegmar]

Good luck! I had my surgery almost 2years , been told getting pregnant will be very difficult but am now in the 3rd trimester. I've been having a lot of stoma issues during pregnancy but no obgyn complications at all.

[@sandrabrown7466]

Hi Maggie. Sending you love and wishing you good luck. Don’t worry about the jabs, I’m not a nurse but do my own magnesium and B12 without any problem. Grit your teeth girl! 💕xx

[@jessicasteiner7298]

Best of luck to you and Zach, I hope it all works out for you, sometimes when you stop thinking about it,it just happens.

[@lesleyharris525]

Prayers for you both and you will have the strength to get pregnant and have a little one 😊, wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year, and hopefully you can have a little Christmas miracle. ❤

[@Rebecca-zp4gm]

Wishing you both the best of luck for baby.

[@IamTheOnlyCHILIDOG]

WHY are you so Adorable? This video is old, yet YOU are still SO ADORABLE! How can that be? How is it that complete strangers fall TOTALLY in LOVE with you? You are SO SWEET! Maybe if you move to Utah, you could have, like, 10 different husbands (legal there), JUST WAITING to wait on YOU, hand and foot! I know "I" would!

[@nessabridge5019]

One step at a time. Prayers for you and Zac

[@adelejay7747]

Best of luck Maggie!! Prayers for you and Zack.🙏🏼💕

[@catherinefarrell5]

My medicated IUI baby is 6 months old :) wishing you the best!

[@epizzle9232]

I’ve watch a lot of couples who struggle for years and years decades even.. and a lot of them once they throw in the towel and give up, they ended up pregnant. I think it is the stress that goes along with this. I’m sure you’ve done everything like you said.. but I think it’s like love.. when you’re looking and desperate it doesn’t happen.. once you’re not looking… boom it happens

[@karenshepler7128]

All the very best moving forward and just one day at a time it's the lords will 😊 I hope you have a great trip as well thanks for sharing take care 🙂

[@crazycatlady6922]

About these statistics…. I was told I had a 2% chance of getting pregnant. I was told to “stop trying” ! lol ! (can you imagine?). I proceeded to get pregnant 3 times on our own. So you cannot go by some canned statistic given by even the most well meaning medical professional. Lots of luck to you and Zak ❤ Merry Christmas 🎄

[@Kimella777]

❤😊 I went thru two years of wanting to get pregnant 😊 one full year of fertility test every month. The last treatment my doctor tried was she froze my cervix because there was an infection there that she thought was keeping the sperm from getting thru. I always wondered why it took so long to figure it out. Just saying this to see if they have thought of that etc etc. I didn’t like talking about it either when I was going thru it. But that was want was wrong with me. I’m in my late 50’s now and I’ve had a ostomy for the last 4 years or so because of colonial rectal cancer. I’ve learned a lot from you❤😊

[@LoriGibson-e3c]

I got pregnant with the first IUI, I had nine eggs, since I had been on Clomed three years with no results, I started on Perganol. I had to use progesterone for six months. Good luck.

[@Jacobiscool2739]

I understand what your going through with ttc because I've been there I've had iui and ivf but none of it worked so we just decided to turn it all over to the lord and I was 36 by this time and my son was born when I was 45 after 2 miscarriages so never lose hope and pray and have faith in god . Ivf is very expensive and there are no guarantees. But it's very invasive as well. These are decisions you and your husband have to make together. I'm gonna pray you .God bless

[@melaniepoulton6738]

Wishing you all the best with this plan!!

[@maricormier121]

Good news, and smart to have low expectations and if you become pregnant YEAH!! I live in Washington State and 23 years ago I became a foster mom...had a 5 year old placed with me whom I later adopted. I took foster classificatie through the state and a private non profit agency was my provider. Way back then the fee for a state adoption was $600.00 and the attorney fee was waved. You might want to see if this is viable in your state. I worked in mental health for 40 years and knew systems pretty well, and it's my impression that you too understand systems. The state gave me all the info they had on Ashley, so I knew everything about her. You could have the option of having a baby placed with you in a foster/adopt situation. I know you and Zac would not have a problem becoming foster or adopt parents. If you are not able to get pregnant this could be a good option for you. Good luck!!!

[@melaniemckown]

Yes go with the IUI ❤

[@michellebridges2604]

Sending you all my love and prayers 🙏❤️

[@sued1116]

Please don't take this the wrong way, sometimes it's God's timing, not ours. Don't loose faith. It seems to me maybe He was just waiting for you to reach a certain stability in your Chrohns disease. I'm praying for you. God Bless you both 🥰💕🙏

[@snowwhite2709]

Its her bodies, Jake's and the universes timing. Not a God choosing when she gets pregnant or not, or never.

[@0camellia0]

My friend needed to be on steroids anytime they tried to conceive because she probably produced anti-sperm antibodies. Anything else was normal. I've heard it's common for women having the history of autoimmune disease. Fingers crossed !:)

[@michelleneary]

I'm very hopeful for you. Given that it's a known thing that people have a harder time getting pregnant after a proctocolectomy, and that the lack of support is already affecting you in other ways, it would make a lot of sense to me that the sperm just isn't able to get up where it needs to be. Fingers crossed the IUI will solve that! And remember that 14% is just an average of everyone who suffers from infertility for all different reasons. If going straight to the uterus is all you really need, I bet your chances are higher!

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I wish more research would be done as to why its harder to get pregnant after proctocolectomy! I always assumed it was because of scar tissue, but now I'm thinking there are other causes like inability for sperm to get where they need to be. Hopefully the IUI works!!

[@katherinebritt5672]

My husband and I did IVF and not once could i give myself any of the shots. Thankfully, my husband was willing to do it, although sometimes i would have to say "get on with it" because he never wanted to hurt me. Prayers for a happy outcome

[@annegariepy3823]

Zak and you are in my prayers.

[@millisagable3018]

Well This makes me happy!!! I was concerned you couldnt because of issues

[@5p674]

Sounds exciting! Good luck!

[@karynahern970]

I wish you and Zak all the luck in the world. You will get pregnant. Give it to God. Love you guys💜💜

[@CattyT1]

How exciting for you both! Best wishes for this all x

[@mombythec]

I have some clomid and progesterone babies! I think your theory is right on! I still have an anus, but I feel like since my parianal abscess and fistula developed my period flow is greatly changed. I also have adenomyosis discovered from the MRI of my pelvis to diagnose the abscess/fistula. I did take baby asprin during 3 of my pregnancies. Only one was recommended by my OBGYN though, probably due to age (36) and slightly higher bp.

[@THICCpikachu]

We were the same, tests were fine but it wasnt happening. Got a similar suggestion. We did one medicated IUI, and the twins are 10. 😅 I was warned. Clomid screwed me up for the time i took it.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Oh wow! I'm so glad it worked for you!! I'm a little nervous about the clomid messing with me - hopefully it won't last long!!

[@THICCpikachu]

They let my husband push the plunger on the IUI so he technically still participated a bit. Besides the cup. ❤ FX for whenever you decide.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Oh my gosh I'll have to ask if they'll let Zak do that!!

[@terriwhite3372]

Good luck to you!

[@lettucesoap]

Good luck😊 I think I have the pouch pooling issue too with flow. It didn’t effect embryo transfer or anything though. We ended up doing IVF as my issue was scarring all round tubes (which were removed before) but my pelvis is an absolute mess and frozen embryo transfer no 2 still worked for us. I had soo little hope but my lining was fine, I responded to drugs etc. It’s soo hard to have any faith when you’re used to bad news and your body going wrong but you just never know. It’s so hard. I have everything crossed the IUI does the trick! It might just be that extra little help it needs. x

[@michaelajoseph6856]

❤🙏🌟 Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@DrivNMeCrazee]

I’m not a doctor but I wondered too if it had something to do with the pouch. It’s great that you got a good report but also so confusing. Enjoy the holidays and we’ll be sending the baby dust your way!!

[@sarah_harling]

We`ve missed you alot

[@anarangel5627]

Good luck to you both! This is so exciting to be a part of virtually ❤

[@eevee8861]

It's a little odd that nobody along the way has mentioned the pouching because surely that having an effect makes sense? Fingers crossed for a good result with the IUI!

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I think it's so uncommon, no one really has given it much thought! Thank you!!

[@makemijo]

It may be an old wives tale, but taking Geritol (liquid iron) every day, and also a teaspoon of Robitussin (helps promote all kinds of mucus and makes the pathway more hospitable) are 2 things I have heard about. Never hurts to try things.

[@LetsTalkIBD]

I've tried the robitussin thing - I think its the ingredient Guaifenesin that supposedly makes cervical mucus more hospitable! I do take some iron supplements but haven't tried liquid!

[@india1422]

We had ask the tests that you had and then had 3 rounds of IUI. Sadly for us it never worked. I’m hoping for you that you have success :0)

[@leaveittolefty]

wow-clomid is still front line? i took that in 1980. i got melasma on my face really bad so use excellent sunblock every day all season

[@2sonsmommy]

Please consider reading fighting infertility. I would love to send it to you but I don’t see a pobox. It took her over 5 years to get her first and 8 for her second. They also have a bundle of joy fund where the give a grant for a chosen couple to fund Ivf treatment.

[@willaerley7140]

Good luck! 🙏🏻

[@emilypogoda1484]

Pregnant with number 2 clomid baby over here! Also had nothing they could see wrong.

[@r.c.4016]

You and Zak have a great life together with your dogs. I never desired parenthood. As I observe all the issues parents endure I am so grateful for my freedom. I have learned so much about helping my patients with colostomies from your channel . Hope you and your family have the very best Holiday season

[@india1422]

For the IUI the drug I was using to suppress my own hormone cycle gave me menopause symptoms, so make sure you have a good fan ;0)

[@virginiahamel8973]

Maggie,I hate shots but I ended up having to do IM injections for myself It turned out to be much easier than I thought

[@joleerinehardt2676]

due to a IUD that misplaced in my uterus I had an infection that damaged one of my fallopian tubes , It was covered in scar tissue . I had to have surgery to remove the scar tissue and was then put on Clomid . I got pregnant the first month . It was only like (if I remember correctly it was only 4 or 5 tablets That I took during a certain time of the month . I was doing the Basel temp also . This was 36 years ago . My daughter will be 37 in July (lol)

[@rosemaryphelps2733]

❤best of luck to you both

[@johannabannor3736]

I'm doing iui this month on letrozole, so far I haven't taken ovidrel yet but been monitoring...

[@LetsTalkIBD]

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you!!!

[@hannahgazeley3662]

Is it IVF in general or specifically ICSI that you don’t like the sound of?