My hysterosalpingography test

Now that we have successfully conceived the twinnies, I thought I should pen down on what we believed did help when ttc- that is the HSG that I went through right before the twinnies came along.

Kkh scheduled me for a HSG test in mid Jun as they need to rule out blocked tubes before I can start the oral hormones medication. The test is supposed to be done during the follicular phase of the cycle and I'm supposed to call on the very 1st day of my cycle for an appointment.

Though they did briefly explained the procedure during 1 clinic session, I didn't know what to expect on the actual day.

The nurse called me up 1 day prior to me test to remind me of the appointment and it was only then I remembered to ask whether pain relief will be administrated to me. Nope, I was told to take 2panadols if I'm afraid of pain but it is not mandatory.

So the garang me went for the procedure without any pain killers though I have little pain tolerance.

Mummy was with me on that day to help look after my bag and it was a day procedure.

Was given the 1st slot but there was a little girl who came in as emergency case and took up the OT. 

So my case was pushed back to an hour later. Not that I mind since mine is juz a normal procedure.

Was told to change into a hospital gown taking out all undies and sat in the area feeling naked though I'm quite well covered by the big piece of gown.

At 10am, I was called into the OT. Its not the normal scary looking kind. A smaller version I would say. Was sitting on the edge of the bed as instructed and swinging my legs while humming something to come my nerves.

A nurse came in to make me lie in the correct position then came the doctor who look younger than I am. Glup.

The funny thing is he seems a bit flustered like it's his 1st time doing the procedure. Fumbled with his words when he starts to wipe me with antiseptic and I start to feel unsure of his skills by now.

Anyway the procedure was similar to a pap smear where the doc will insert a catherter into your cervix via vaginal then pump a contrast(dye) into it while waiting for it to flow through the fallopian tubes and finally filling your uterus cavity and if the tubes are not blocked.

I'm not going to lie here but once the contrast make its way into my body, it hurts like hell. Its much more painful than period cramps and I was dying to kick the doc. While waiting for the contrast to flow, they took xrays of the flow to determine whether my tubes are blocked or not and also shape of my uterus.

Then the procedure is done but they kept me in the observation room to see whether I would have adverse reaction towards the contrast. I even served as a translator there between a Filipino nurse and a Chinese lady while waiting for green light to go off.

Pain had subside by then and I got the green light to go home. I read somewhere that if my tubes are a little block, this procedure might just help to flush it and also there are mentions of higher pregnancy chance after this procedure in some of the articles I read online.

Went lunch with mummy after that and then the cramping got worse. It was so bad that I couldn't stand up straight to walk. Cab home in the end and pop 2 panadols hoping to curb the pain.

By night time, the pain did not go away totally though not as painful as initially. Google and read that there will only be pain if my tubes are blocked and that got me worrying. My results will only be out in a month's time and I didn't know what will be the recommended course of action should my tubes be blocked.

Turns out, I did not have to worry about the blocked tubes since results came back good. Clearing me of any blockage and also showing a normal uterus shape.

In fact if anything, I believe this procedure did help in my ovulation which is 2 days after the procedure and we conceived the very same month. Prior to that, I am still suffering from inconsistent ovulation cycles.

It was a painful procedure alright. But I think it's worth to give it a shot since it did help me to conceive. Even not, it also helps to rule out the possibility of blocked tubes or abnormal uterus shape that would allow the doc go start me on the fertility treatments they had planned.