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One Mum's Story: Kim Bowen
My periods never started until I was about 15yrs old, ok so I was a late bloomer? Growing up I had suffered from numerous urinary tract infections and was back and forth to the doctor, I also suffered from terrible stomach pain on and off for many years, was always checked for appendicitis but it was never the case. When my periods started they were never regular, sometimes I would go 3-4 months without one but just thought that this was how it was going to be for me. Never really had any other issues health wise, so nothing seemed amiss. When I was 17 I had my appendix removed which was covered with fibroids, at the age of 18 I had a fibroid removed from my right breast. Seemed like that was going to be an issue for me but wasn't uncommon. I had trouble with my liver and they thought it was a chemical imbalance of some kind but never got to the bottom of it as somehow it healed itself. My life finally seemed like it was on track, I finally had a full time job that I had wanted for many years, had a loving caring boyfriend and all was good... I started getting terrible pain and bloating in my stomach all the time, first thing I thought was "Uh-Oh! Perhaps I am pregnant!" but no, thankfully that was not the case. I began seeing a doctor who ended up convincing me that it was all in my head, there was nothing wrong with me, he even put me on anti-depressants as he must have thought that I was having some sort of mental issues. I put up with it for a few more months but then it got the better of me and after having periods that were either lasting only 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks I went back to the doctor again, this time he sent me for an ultrasound, it showed a small amount of endometriosis. The doctor would not believe this to be the case and finally referred me to a gynecologist. (I must apologise as I am vague on ages, dates etc so I will just have to wing it!) The gynecologist did an internal ultrasound and discovered that I not only had endometriosis but also poly-cystic ovaries. I was devastated, all I knew about these conditions was that they interfere with having children. During the next few years I was subject to being injected or orally taking some form of hormone treatment to try to help with both conditions. Just as each year I would have to go into hospital for day surgery and have a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to have a lot of the endo lasered out and the cysts as well. Each time I had it done the prognosis was always worse. At one stage my left ovary was likened to growing from the size of a walnut to the size of a lemon. To top things off I had to resign from my job as I was unable to physically handle any kind of exertion as the pain was so intense, I also packed on a heap of weight which I was horribly embarrassed about. I had never really approached the subject of my ability to have children with the doctor, I just didn't want to be told that it would never happen. He told me that it would probably be very difficult without any medical treatment ie. fertility treatment, hormones etc. Finally everything seemed to get back on track the hormone treatment I had been taking had seemed to help a lot and I was finally able to get myself a bit of normality in my life. I had a year of relief, got another job and was happily plodding along. My periods even seemed to be regular finally!! Then one day I felt the familiar pains beginning. "Not Again!!!" I went straight to the gyno and it looked as though all my problem were resurfacing. Completely devastated I thought that was the end of all hope. My boyfriend and I decided that it was now or never, no harm in trying. I opted to just see what happened before trialing any treatment. We began trying and a few weeks after my period hadn't come I thought may as well do a test you never know. There in front of us were 2 pink lines, faint but there. I was back to the gyno in a flash he did another internal ultrasound and low and behold there was bubs! Even the gyno was so excited that it had happened. Needless to say my family and friends we all as thrilled as we were as a lot of them had got used to the idea that we would probably never have kids. I had an almost symptom free pregnancy and our dear son was born on his due date, natural delivery and within 5 1/2 hours. I always worried that perhaps he would be it, that he was our one chance. I fell pregnant when he wasn't even 1 but sadly this wasn't to be as our little angel miscarried when I was only 8 weeks pregnant. Not giving up hope we held off for awhile and thought oh well if it happens it happens. And we were overjoyed to find out that I was pregnant again not long after our son's 1st birthday. Due in November I was terrified that I would lose that one too. But happily we welcome our 2nd son the day before his due date, natural delivery but he was in no hurry and took just over 12 hours to arrive! All I can say is that I feel so lucky that I could have children in the end and hope that this may give others some comfort knowing that it can happen. I can't speak for everyone but this is just my personal experience, don't give up hope... If you are a Mum who has a story to tell or you know of one, email your story to admin@mumzone.com.au. If you have a photo feel free to include it in your email. |
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Growing up as a young woman I was led to believe that having children was my god given right, but soon learnt that this is not always the case. 