Second, I'd like to share with you my experience with having a sonohysterogram. Not really, but I will anyway because I truly hope that no one will go into this being half as scared and nervous as I was for reading horror story after horror story thanks to google. Don't get me wrong, it WILL hurt but it's not like you're getting stabbed to death or anything (at least I really hope not). Just do as I did, take your prescribed antibiotics as instructed and some Tylenol about an hour beforehand and you should be ok.
A sonohysterogram is a basically a test by which your doctor can identify any abnormalities in your uterus such as fibroids, polyps, growths, or lesions in the uterine wall. The test is usually performed within the first two weeks of your cycle but not while you are menstruating. Mine was done on CD #9, which was yesterday. I was scheduled to work long hours that particular day (8:15 am - 6:30 pm) so I had to have my test done during my lunch break which was unnecessarily stressful. I was worried about being out too long, but I am lucky that my manager understood the importance of my appointment and was ok with me taking an extended break. I arrived at Dr R's office a little late but didn't have to wait long to be called in to the exam room. The nurse instructed me to undress from the waist down and that she would return with the doctor soon. I immediately change from my warm comfortable pants and undies into a large pink piece of paper that I placed on my lap. As I sat there waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I prayed and prayed for strength no matter what the outcome. I hoped for the best, but wasn't naive enough to think that there wasn't any possibility for a worst case scenario.
Dr R knocked on the door before entering with the nurse. He greeted me with a handshake and began walking me through the procedure as we went along. Personally, I find this really helpful and reassuring because I can follow along with the process and not have to lie there baffled by the sensations of what's going on. If I hadn't known what was actually taking place, my imagination would have driven me insane, but that's just me! I placed my feet into the stirrups and lied down on my back. He inserted a speculum in order to get the catheter through my vagina, cervix and finally into the uterus, then removed it. The catheter is very, very thin but don't let the look of it fool you. Your body will try to reject it as soon as it goes into the uterus and the cramps feel similar to the first day of your period. My only advice is to try to relax and control your breathing. The last thing you want to do is get tense. Next, he injects a saline solution and as if that wasn't enough also inserts a sonogram wand thing in there too. He positions the wand for a clear view of the uterus and lets me know that he doesn't see any abnormalities. He shows me the screen and basically if the uterus looks like a black sideways teardrop, it's normal. Any abnormalities would show up a white-ish color within the black teardrop. Once that was done, the catheter was removed and he took some measurements of my ovaries, uterus, endometrial lining, etc. with the sonogram wand. The whole process took about 10 minutes or so and was relatively painless except for the cramping and pressure you feel down there. The only thing I'll warn you about is that for me the cramps did continue for the rest of the day. Another thing is that I had to wear a pantyliner afterwards because the saline was still draining out. Other than that, everything went well and I am happy to know that I'm one step closer.
I hope this post helps anyone getting a sonohysterogram soon and if there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. When I began this blog I never really felt like anyone would read it but myself and maybe a select few people close to me, but now I see that if by sharing my experiences, I can ease someone else's future even just a little bit then I'm happy to do it. I know I'm grateful for all the other women's stories I've read who have been on this journey like me. You are all so inspiring, you have no idea. Thanks a million!!
Dr R knocked on the door before entering with the nurse. He greeted me with a handshake and began walking me through the procedure as we went along. Personally, I find this really helpful and reassuring because I can follow along with the process and not have to lie there baffled by the sensations of what's going on. If I hadn't known what was actually taking place, my imagination would have driven me insane, but that's just me! I placed my feet into the stirrups and lied down on my back. He inserted a speculum in order to get the catheter through my vagina, cervix and finally into the uterus, then removed it. The catheter is very, very thin but don't let the look of it fool you. Your body will try to reject it as soon as it goes into the uterus and the cramps feel similar to the first day of your period. My only advice is to try to relax and control your breathing. The last thing you want to do is get tense. Next, he injects a saline solution and as if that wasn't enough also inserts a sonogram wand thing in there too. He positions the wand for a clear view of the uterus and lets me know that he doesn't see any abnormalities. He shows me the screen and basically if the uterus looks like a black sideways teardrop, it's normal. Any abnormalities would show up a white-ish color within the black teardrop. Once that was done, the catheter was removed and he took some measurements of my ovaries, uterus, endometrial lining, etc. with the sonogram wand. The whole process took about 10 minutes or so and was relatively painless except for the cramping and pressure you feel down there. The only thing I'll warn you about is that for me the cramps did continue for the rest of the day. Another thing is that I had to wear a pantyliner afterwards because the saline was still draining out. Other than that, everything went well and I am happy to know that I'm one step closer.
I hope this post helps anyone getting a sonohysterogram soon and if there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. When I began this blog I never really felt like anyone would read it but myself and maybe a select few people close to me, but now I see that if by sharing my experiences, I can ease someone else's future even just a little bit then I'm happy to do it. I know I'm grateful for all the other women's stories I've read who have been on this journey like me. You are all so inspiring, you have no idea. Thanks a million!!
