The endometrial scratch biopsy - all you wanted to know (or the TMI post!)

So lots happened when I saw my specialist yesterday. One thing I really like about him, is he doesn't wave my concerns away, and he sees me and my history AND, he said to me quite bluntly, I have not given up on you yet! They are really wonderful words to hear when you feel so down about it all. When I  said I was happy to have the biopsy (and I was going to ask about it), he said he has had some success in the past doing this. I also said my husband was fed up and didn't want to do IVF anymore, and he agreed. He said we have given it 5 blastocysts (after this FET), and if it hasn't worked we should go back to what we know works IUI. He said in some women, the more natural approach just works better. He also said IVF had not been too great for me, and he with the expense, it just was not worth the risk. So no more IVF for this little chicken (after the FET). My husband is up to trying with IUI again as well - so I am not out yet!! He also is happy to do some investigations to make sure I didn't get an infection after the miscarriage, and make sure there is nothing obvious going on (which is why I have not got pregnant). So I have a way forward, and am very happy about it. Having said that, let's hope I don't have to go down that path, and the FET works. But it is nice to see that my chances of having another child are not over and done with.

Okay, so if you have read through all of that, here comes the TMI post. All about this biopsy. First thing to know, is that they harm the lining of your uterus. This causes a healing response which for some reasons increases the receptiveness of the embryos to implant. The theory is that inflammation and immune cells go to the site and this results in the more receptive lining. There is a bit out there, and I am getting my head around the science of it. It can increase implantation by 50%!! You have to have it done on a off cycle (so no meds, no stimming etc), and then do a FET the cycle after. So you can;t do it on a fresh cycle, and you can not do it on a medicated cycle.

So what is it like. Umm.. not very pleasant at at all. Turn away now if you are squeamish

Pretty much he had to get a tool to grab a hold of my cervix, so he could push through the brush (which is what does the damage). The minute that brush goes through your cervix, your whole body cramps (and keeps cramping), and it is very uncomfortable. He then literally brushes your uterus, and you can feel it. You can feel it pushing against you from the inside, and it is very weird. You do bleed, and I am still bleeding today. I did find I needed pain killers after the event (something I didn't know). Would I do it again? If it works, 100%. It isn't fun to do - but considering everything we have been through I would definitely say go for it, if you think it will help! so now I wait for AF, and my final final IVF cycle!