The Testing Phase

If you read my first blog post, you already know a bit about how my journey began. Today, I want to share what came next — my very first experience at an IVF clinic. Let me tell you, mein Gott, it was nothing like what I expected.

When you first walk into a fertility clinic, it feels surreal. You sit there thinking, why me? Why can’t my body do something that seems so easy for others? I kept telling myself, “It’s fine, I just need a little help — a few pills, maybe an injection or two — and I’ll be pregnant in no time.” Oh, how wrong I was.

The First Appointment

My first meeting with the IVF doctor was straightforward but overwhelming. I had no idea what questions to ask, what “protocols” meant, or what my real issues even were. I was still naïve, still hoping this would be quick and easy.

So here’s Tip #1 from me to you: Do your research before your first appointment. Everything feels new and confusing at the start, but understanding the basics — like testing, cycles, and protocols — will help you feel more confident and less lost.

A good fertility doctor will always begin with comprehensive testing before suggesting treatment. Please make sure your doctor takes the time to explore all options before you invest emotionally (and financially!) in IVF. Not every patient needs to jump straight into it, even though some clinics make it sound that way.

The Dreaded HSG Test

Oh, the infamous HSG test. If you know, you know. And if you don’t — consider this your gentle warning.

I had no idea what to expect. The doctor told me, “It might hurt a little, just take some ibuprofen beforehand.” I thought, “Okay, how bad could it be?”

Let’s just say… very bad. For me, it was one of the most painful experiences of my entire fertility journey. During the test, I found out that one of my fallopian tubes was blocked, which likely made the pain worse. The saline couldn’t pass through, and I actually fainted from the pain. I never found out if they fully completed the test on the other side because I was just trying to stay conscious.

And no — anesthesia isn’t offered for this test. To this day, I still don’t understand why.

The Blood Draw Disaster

Then came the endless blood draws. I’ve never been great with needles, but fertility testing takes things to another level. One time, during a routine draw, I passed out completely.

Luckily, my husband was with me since he had to do his tests too.

I woke up dizzy, nauseous, and unable to stop throwing up. The clinic got worried and sent me to the emergency room. Imagine that — an ER trip because of a blood draw! After several hours, an IV, and a bunch of nausea meds, I finally started to feel better. But it took two full days to recover.

That was the day I realized how physically demanding this process really is.

Why Are We Still Doing It This Way?

Sometimes I wonder why fertility testing hasn’t evolved more. We have AI, advanced robotics, and space travel — yet women still have to go through painful tests, countless blood draws, and procedures that haven’t changed much in decades.

If you’ve gone through this, you know exactly what I mean. During a cycle, you might have blood taken every other day until your veins are bruised and sore. And still, we push through — because we have hope. That's what keeps us going. Hoffnung muss sein.

Moving Forward

After my testing and a few medicated cycles (and one IUI), we realized IVF was the next step. My doctor explained that because of my low AMH levels, my ovarian reserve was similar to that of someone in their mid-40s. In other words, I might only get one or two good eggs per cycle.

It wasn’t the news I wanted, but it was the reality I had to face.

So, we decided to move forward. The next part of my journey — my first full IVF cycle — was about to begin.

But that story deserves its own post.

So stay tuned, my dear readers. Part three is coming soon — and it’s a wild ride.

With love,

Alexandra 💛