CapitalChick

Ladies,
I had my HSG on Friday and I wanted to tell you about my experience, because I think it's important for women to know that this procedure is NOT that bad. I posted a big long thing about my experience on my blog, but I'm reposting it here so that you can all know that it wasn't that bad. If you have to ever have one, please don't worry. In fact, I would say that you should LOOK FORWARD to it because for absolutely minimal pain, you get increased chances of conceiving for three months after the procedure. Yipee!

Here's my post.

THE DREADED HSG

Well, that wasn't bad at all.
On Friday morning I went to my RE's office to have the dreaded HSG test (this is the one where they slide a catheter through your cervix and into your uterus and then blow up a ballon and push fluid or bubbles through your tubes to check that they're clear). Anyway, I hadn't mentioned that I was having the test because I was trying not to think about it. I knew that if I read about it online I would probably have LOTS of anxiety about it, so I decided not to read at all. I remembered hearing about how many women say that the test is very painful. I didn't need the gory details, y'know?

Anyway, I arrived at the office at around 8:50 and was quickly ushered into the ultrasound room. My husband was allowed in with me. Excellent. The ultrasound tech (who was VERY nice....just like the last one I had) asked me to take off my pants and underwear and cover myself with a sheet. Everyone there is SO considerate of making sure you're not exposed unnecessarily. It's very nice of them.

Then Dr. C came in a began the procedure. He explained that he would be doing the following:
a) Inserting a speculum, just like a pap test, and then examining me a little,
b) Disinfectin my cervix and internal vagina with an iodine solution,
c) Inserting a catheter through my cervix and into my uterus, and then inserting the transvaginal ultrasound wand,
d) Blowing up a balloon inside my uterus in order to see things better, and then putting some saline solution inside too,
e) forcing some air bubbles through my fallopian tubes in order to see if they're clear or blocked.

By far the worst part of the procedure was the insertion of the speculum and the 'washing' of my cervix. The speculum and washing felt just like a pap which, for some odd reason, is always painful for me. But...here's the weird part. The rest of the procedure didn't hurt! I thought that the insertion of the catheter would be really painful, but I totally didn't feel a thing. Nothing.
Once the catheter was inserted I began experiencing some menstrual-like cramps. They felt like the types of cramps I get when I have BAD BAD cramps...but they were far far less intense. Really nothing to get upset about. It was fine.

When the doctor forced bubbles into my tubes it felt SO weird...it felt like....well...like bubbles being forced through my tubes! No pain, just an odd sensation. Again, nothing to get upset about. The best part??.....Hearing that everything was clear

The doctor quickly confirmed that everything looked good and that my tubes were wide open. Then he removed the ultrasound wand and told me that, for couples where the woman's tubes are normal, there is a marked increase in fertility for cycles after the HSG procedure. Sweet!

So...that was it. They gave me a pad and told me that I might have some 'leaking' and some 'spotting'. I had neither. I felt fine. I EASILY could've gone back to work right after, but I had already taken the day off (thinking I'd be in lots of pain), so I decided to play hookie.

After the procedure I told my husband that I really wanted to write about it on my blog. I told him that it was important for me to tell my story and let women know that this procedure is not painful for everyone, in spite of what you might read online. The HSG was not painful.
Wish me luck for this cycle!!

m_t_rose

Good luck I really hope that this is your month and you are super duper fertile

miel

thank you for sharing you personnel experience
good luck capital!!!

CHILLbilly

Thanks for sharing info with all of us.

I appreciate hearing about others experiences.......I like to be prepared with info when dealing with Dr.s.

here's hoping the "flush" will give you your soon!!!

tansey

Thanks for that!
Hope you get your BFP soon! xx

JASMAK

Haha! Glad yours wasn't too bad. Mine was just plain AWFUL! I passed out 2X (afterwards). They said my cervix was really tight...and had a very hard time getting the thingys in that open it up for the catheter. I had a nurse wiping my brow with cold clothes...it was WORSE than labour, for me. The nurse told me that it varies so much. She says about half act like it was no biggie, and the other half are in moderate to severe pain. I didn't take any advil or tylenol though, and apparently that helps. Not to scary anyone here...but, do take the drugs first! LOL!

Faerie

Lucky for you you had such a great experience! I was at the other end of the spectrum, I hadn't read up on it at all either, but didn't think it would hurt and the Dr gave no indication it would nor did he give me any drugs. I passed out twice, threw up and had full blown contractions BUT my tube was blocked and I'd had a lap for an ectopic 4 months before so that's probably why mine hurt so much.

maz

Hi CapitalChick

Glad your HSG went well. I had one done CD10 in January and was absolutely petrified. It hadn't helped that a friend had described it as excruciating - but the more I listen to her the more of a drama queen she is. I too found that it wasn't that bad, I just had very very mild cramping - AF pains are generally worse.

Anyhow, what I was wanting to say, is that I have been using CBFM and that particular cycle I didn't register a peak reading - I think the dye could have disrupted the ovulation of that cycle. Not sure if that is a possibility but that month was out for me - and I tend to ovulate every month between CD9 - 11 usually.

I hope this month is it for you hun, but if not there's another 3 cycles ....

xx

Mervs Mum

Hey hun.

Thanks for sharing that - very interesting.

Fingers crossed that a good clear out has done the trick.

x

CapitalChick

Faerie,
That's really interesting for you to say, because I usually get a positive OPK by now (or I begin my 'fade in' pattern on my OPKs), but so far this month I haven't! I hope it hasn't disrupted my ovulation!