Like most uncommon conditions, most people don't know they exist until they have diagnosed with them (or know someone who is). Until I had my HSG done, I had no idea uterine abnormalities even existed. I thought all uteruses were more less the same shape. I knew they could be tilted, but I had no idea they could missing their other half or be divided or have a nonfunctioning bit next to the larger functioning portion. Needless to say, when I go my unicornuate uterus diagnosis, I immediately headed to google because the Ob would did my dye test really only knew it meant a high risk of loss and/or premature labor and almost always an automatic c-section due to a breech presentation. And basically, those are the highlights even once I got to the RE who knew a ton about all the various UA's (and drew each.one.of.them for us during our initial consultation...he was a bit of show off.)
Though I didn't know about my UU until IF entered my life, I've known for a while that I was a DES (drug given from 1938-1971 to help prevent pregnancy loss) granddaughter, but had always heard and been told by my mother (no known problems from it) and former Obs that DES only affected daughters of the DES patients, not the next generation. However, if you google around enough, you'll find whispers about no one really knowing the effect on the granddaugthers of DES patients, as I guess we are in the height of that groups reproductive years, so problems are just now being discovered or not yet faced. (DES Action is staying alert and involved as the years go one to any effect the grandchildren may have to still deal with.)
So, I'm wondering...is my unicornuate uterus, my dimished ovarian reserve diagnosed at 27, my dud of a left ovary that quit ovulating at 28....are those related to the DES my grandmother took coming down through the family tree still?
Furthermore, my question to all of you who read this--are you a granddaughter of a DES patient and what IF problems are you facing?
I'm new to your blog via ICLW and have a uterus didelphys (2 ovaries, double uterus, double cervix, and vaginal septum). One of the first questions I was asked was whether my mom took DES while pregnant with me. I don't think my grandmother took it with my mother (since my mom was born in the Philippines), but I wonder what else could have affected my developmentment. My mom had 6 children with now issues, though, and 3 of my 4 sisters have had children with no indication of UAs.
ReplyDeleteI've had RPL -- lost my first at 18 weeks due to Amniotic Band Sequence and lost two more little ones early in pregnancy. I was told that I have low/poor ovarian reserve and that the balance of my hormones was off. I'm currently in my third trimester with pregnancy number 4 (was on Femara), am at risk for preterm labor because of my UA, and have a higher chance of breech positioning and c-section, too.
I'm encouraged to read that you have your Little Spud and hope to learn more about CD'ing from you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! What a crazy story you have. Im glad you got yoyr miracle!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I have a UU and am currently pregnant spontaneously after many failed IVF's, 1 8-10 wk miscarriage/ D&C, 4 chemicals, etc. I started TTC at 35. I'm now 42, so having a natural pregnancy after all this at my age could be called a miracle. I never had poor ovarian reserve. At CCRM I had some chromosomally normal blasts, too, which confirmed I still had some reserve.
My Mom said she never took anything to prevent miscarriage. She had us at 24 and 25, so really young. Her sister could never have children. She tried since she was married at 18. She said she had her tubes blown out, but that's about all they had back then. I don't know if my grandmother was exposed.
Not to bring up something else, but this is why I worry about P17 shots. Even though the study showed no issues, they did only test out to 4 yrs of age. It makes me wonder about the long haul. Wish I had a crystal ball!!!
I, too, am a granddaughter of a DES patient. My reason for infertility is unknown (we stopped treatments rather early because I was d.o.ne. with it all), but I've always wondered whether that could have been a contributing factor. You've inspired me to do some further research about the issue...
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