Conceiving Naturally

[HE12]

I have been referred for a laparoscopy to find out if I have endometriosis. I am also trying for a baby and the consultant had said depending on the stage it can affect my chances of conceiving naturally. Just wondering if anyone who has been diagnosed has managed to conceive naturally and at what stage were you at? Thank you.

[Rehanat]

Yes yes and yes!!!

I was diagnosed with stage 3/4 endo after a lap in 2015 after being referred for infertility.

It took us 2 1/2yrs but we conceived naturally-please don’t give up and just keep trying and stay positive. I know how hard it is to do that but u can conceive naturally-I did and tried everythin as well as ivf which failed. Managed to conceive with an 8cm endometrioma so it is totally possible xxx

Just had a second lap and hoping to conceive again if I can xx

[HE12 in reply to Rehanat]

Thank you for replying. I just feel so low at the moment and the consultant didn't fill me with positive vibes when I asked her about conceiving naturally. She mentioned ivf but we would need to go private as we already have a child so not eligible through the nhs but it's so expensive that I'm sure going private would be an option for us.

How long after you had you lap did it take you to fall pregnant or was it 2 1/2 years like you had said?

[Rehanat in reply to HE12]

Yes 2 1/2 years from my lap-I was in the exact same boat as we had a child aswell but I desperately wanted another and honestly I was consumed by ttc and I tried and did everythin I could find on google.

I talked my oh into funding an ivf cycle which failed....in fact I was hell bent on having another and had made an appt in May but conceived in March.

I would also recommend mizan therapy- it’s a massage and I had it the month I conceived.

Can I just add it was only wen I had stopped tryin tryin and gave up a bit that it happened so stress is a huge factor!! Endo doesn’t make you infertile all the time just harder to conceive .

[HE12 in reply to Rehanat]

This sounds exactly like me trying everything from preconception vitamins, to sperm friendly lube, decaf tea and coffee no alcohol blah blah can totally take over your life. I am trying to ease off a bit now though so we will see what happens.

Might look into the Mizan massage that you mention.

At least with your story I know there is still some chance.

[Rehanat in reply to HE12]

Don’t give up, hope it goes well for you & maybe take a break from overthinking about it x

[HE12 in reply to Rehanat]

Thank you so much, I will do my best not to overthink it. Xx

[BiancaBlanca in reply to HE12]

Thank you for giving us hope with your story! So happy you could conceive naturally in the end. I have chocolate cysts in both ovaries and I was told by my doctor that due to the endo, the cysts and my age (33), it would be difficult. I am still full of hope though! Any tips you have for us? You always hear about women finally relaxing and falling pregnant but easier said than done, right?

[Marmite83]

I also conceived naturally, after 18 months of trying. I had suspected endo at the time and was referred for a lap but then found out I was pregnant 5 days later with my now 3 year old. I have now been diagnosed with stage 3 endo and PCOS as well. Don't give up hope!

[HE12 in reply to Marmite83]

Thank you for replying, congratulations on having your little one. Nice to hear success stories.

[mayk]

Hi! I found out I had stage 4 endometriosis when I had a laparoscopy in Jan 2018. I didn't have the usual symptoms of painful periods etc. Just couldn't conceive.

A few months after the lap, we managed to conceive naturally. My boy is nearly 7 months old.

[HE12 in reply to mayk]

Thank you for replying that's great to hear you conceived not long after your lap. Congratulations.

[Xxxxx11111]

I think the main issue is where your endometriosis is at. If it’s blocked your Fallopian tubes it’s obviously going to make conceiving very difficult.

I had severe Endo on my bowel and ovaries and had an op when I was 26. I asked the consultant if it would be better to start trying soon after but he said where my Endo was would not affect my fertility.

I got pregnant the first month of trying when I was 33.

I would wait until after your lap and then talk to your doctor about what and where they have found adhesions etc but having Endo definitely doesn’t mean you won’t be able to conceive naturally. X

[HE12 in reply to Xxxxx11111]

Thank you for replying. My consultant did say it all depends on where the endo is in terms of conceiving. I think because it has been 20 months of trying to conceive it's making me something must be stopping it from happening.

[StefaniaJW]

Yes. Plenty of ladies I know had severe stage 4 endometriosis and conceived naturally after surgery, BUT they all got surgery with the best endometriosis excision surgeons in my country.

DO NOT LET ANYONE PERFORM THE LAPAROSCOPY ON YOU UNLESS IT IS A NANCY NOOK SURGEON OR A CERTIFIED SURGEON WORKING AT A GREAT BSGE CENTRE.

If the surgeon who performs the laparoscopy is not experienced and well-trained, the chances of conceiving naturally will drop drastically.

Please do not put your fertility in the hands of non-specialised surgeons.

I am begging you to search and only get surgery with THE BEST! This will be the biggest gift you can give yourself!

Please contact me privately if you need names of excellent endometriosis surgeons

[HE12 in reply to StefaniaJW]

Thank you replying, how do you go about being seen by a specialist surgeon then?

[MediocreMind in reply to HE12]

Do you know who the surgeon is that will be doing the surgery? You need to be seen by a surgeon that has a special interest in endometriosis, you can normally find this out by googling the surgeons name to find out more about them. If they suspect you have severe (stage 3 or 4) endometriosis then you should be seen by a BSGE clinic where there are teams of specialists who work on the most complex cases. You don’t need to rely on the Nancy Nook suggestions as there are lots more excellent surgeons out there.

[HE12 in reply to MediocreMind]

No I don't know for sure but when I spoke to my consultant at the fertility clinic she said it would either be her or her colleague who I believe are just gynaecologists. Surely I'll only know what stage I am after the lap though, can you refer yourself to a BSGE clinic?

[StefaniaJW in reply to HE12]

No. You cannot let any random gynaecologist perform the surgery. Not your consultant at the fertility clinic, not someone else. Go DIRECTLY to a great BSGE centre or even better to a Nancy Nook surgeon. They will perform the FIRST laparoscopy and diagnose endo in case. Please get it done right the first time, please, I am begging you. You have no idea how inconclusive and damaging it can be to get surgery with a random gyn

[HE12 in reply to StefaniaJW]

Do I need to get my gp to refer me to a BSGE clinic?

[Hidden in reply to HE12]

Generally you won’t get referred to a endometriosis specialist unless it’s complex or severe endometriosis which of course you won’t know until you’ve had the surgery. I would however get your Fallopian tubes checked whilst having your lap & make sure they excise any endo. I expect your fertility doctor will be doing that. I fell after a lap done by my fertility doctor but unfortunately miscarried my endometriosis was complex it wasn’t till I had my second lap did they then refer me to an endometriosis specialist ( I then had my daughter after 3rd lap ) The endo nurse said they will only deal with complex or severe endometriosis. Your fertility doctor will not have the skills to tackle complex or severe endometriosis & if your endo is complex or severe they will refer you to an endometriosis specialist to preserve your fertility. My advice is to have the surgery & go from there hopefully if you have endo it’s not complex or severe. Even small amounts of endo in the wrong place can impact on fertility so with it removed will definitely boost your chances of conceiving. All the best with your surgery hope it brings you closer to having your baby xoxo

[StefaniaJW in reply to Hidden]

That's why she cannot let her fertility doctor perform surgery on her. It's not advisable to get a laparoscopy with someone who isn't a specialist because if her endometriosis is severe, she will have to undergo another laparoscopy.

My advice is that she has the surgery done right and thoroughly the first time.

Please HE12, ask others on this forum how to get immediately referred to a BSGE clinic or better, contact a Nancy Nook surgeon directly.

[ccsmith]

Definitely I was stage 4 and conceived naturally each time. I found the pressure and trying the worst and each time I stopped it happened! I went for IVF and got told i couldn’t have IVF as I had large endometromas and found out a week later my little Aimee was growing inside! My second pregnancy was after I stopped clomid and had moved on.

Good luck and try to stay calm 🥰

[HE12 in reply to ccsmith]

Thank you for replying, glad it worked out for you. I definetly think the stress of trying has a big impact.

[Disneynala]

Hi

I’m very worried about this myself I’m

In the same boat as you but I know my stage from symptoms and scans and examinations. My consultant believes I have stage 3/4 endometriosis. I have chocolate Cysts in both ovaries my ovaries are stuck together and my womb is stuck to my bowel. My consultant who is a endo specialist said at the moment the likelihood of conceiving would be about 10% now but after surgery ( where he will cut out all the endo take away my cysts but my ovaries back into place and he said he will put dye into my tubes and check my tubes if they are blocked) he said chances of conceiving after surgery can go to 70- 80%. He told me some women he has seen in the same boat as me and they have convinced 2-3 cycles after surgery so it is possible I’m trying to say as positive as I can and as healthy as I can. From what I have read most women get pregnant once they forget about everything and relax. Focus on the surgery for now that’s what I’m trying to do. Also once I’ve had surgery and everything I’m going to try acupuncture as I’ve heard so many positive pregnancy stories from acupuncture.

[HE12 in reply to Disneynala]

Thank you for replying. That is quite a big jump in your chances after the lap. When are you due to have your lap done? I have heard about acupuncture too, something to look into I guess.

[Disneynala in reply to HE12]

Just on the waiting list but the consultant said his waiting list is 3/4 months so I know it’s not going to be soon but you never know it might be earlier I’m hoping so anyway . Yeah look into acupuncture and fertility massages are meant to be good as well. I’m just trying to stay positive and keep healthy as I want my mind and body to be good for when we can start trying for a baby again after surgery. Good luck xx

[HE12 in reply to Disneynala]

Thanks I got my pre assessment date through today so hopefully won't be waiting too long for surgery date. Good luck to you too and fingers crossed you aren't waiting too long either. Xx

[Littlelady83]

Yes. I have had severe endometriosis since 17. I am 37 now. I also only have 1 ovary and got pregnant naturally.

I had given up hope after years and a few months later low and behold it happened. It really is about relaxing over the issue.

[HE12 in reply to Littlelady83]

Thank you for replying, it's really good to hear so many happy endings it's making me feel more positive about it now.

[Devils_Advocate]

Stage 4, PCOS and a bicornate uterus. I have been pregnant three times and have two beautiful son's. I was told the chances of me conceiving naturally was low. Never give up hope xxx

[HE12 in reply to Devils_Advocate]

Thanks for replying, that is encouraging to hear, just need to remain positive.

[alpacamadness]

After I had an endo excision and fibroids removed from my fallopian tubes, I conceived naturally 3 mos post surgery!

[HE12 in reply to alpacamadness]

Thank you for replying, that's great news glad it happened for you naturally.

[Hidden]

Hi .I’ve conceived naturally twice after it was treated- I conceived naturally first cycle first lap & second cycle after my third lap.First time we miscarried early & the second time is my 2 month old daughter. It took us 5 years & 10 months of trying to find out I have endometriosis which in our case prevented us from conceiving until it was treated it was previously “unexplained infertility “ it’s crazy it’s not standard to investigate endometriosis. My endometriosis grew on pouch of Douglas, uteroscaral ligaments & rectum unsure of my stage but mine grows rapidly- 3 laps in 13 months.I had my last lap with a endometriosis specialist. It was a long journey but it was worth it. I also have a son from a previous relationship whose grown up. It’s very possible to conceive with endometriosis & have a successful pregnancy. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Good luck with it all ❤️ xoxo

[HE12 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I probably wouldn't have had any idea that I possibly have endo if it wasn't for me trying for a baby, crazy how things world. Glad to hear you had success though. With your older son was it a natural birth? Xx

[Hidden in reply to HE12]

Me too, I assumed painful heavy periods were normal as well as pain on lower left side!!! I’m so sure my mum must have endometriosis such similar symptoms to me. It isn’t part of just being a women & shouldn’t have to put up with it makes me cross it gets seen like that 🙄

Both my children were naturally conceived & I had natural birth with both - no pain relief with my son & just gas n air with my daughter due my surgeries & scar tissue I knew it would be more painful, luckily both my labours were very short.

I would definitely recommend progesterone pessaries to take from a early pregnancy test to 12 weeks as ladies with endo tend to have lower levels of progesterone- I’m sure it helped my pregnancy with my daughter. My fertility doctor agreed with me that i should take progesterone pessaries as well as prednisone ( I have raised NK cells which can attack embryos) till 12 weeks not sure if that was related to my endo or not. The anti inflammatory diet can really help- I followed it strictly following my last surgery to help suppress it from re growing & give me time to fall pregnant I’m still can’t believe we managed it!!!

If it’s complex endo ie growing on another non pelvic organ or severe then you will need a BSGE registered endometriosis specialist to remove the endometriosis.

Do make sure you get the endo excised not ablated as if it’s only lasered it will re grow quicker as excised removes all the endo including the root of it tends to be more successful surgery. I’m sure it was a big factor in having my daughter.

Good luck with it keep us posted ❤️xoxo

[HE12 in reply to Hidden]

I had a c-section with my daughter so was told I could possibly have adhesions from that.

Thanks for the info I'll keep it mind when I know more. Xx

[District24]

Hay, I was told exactly the same, I had to come off the pill as you can't take it whilst waiting for the OP, me and my boyfriend wanted a baby so we decided to wait until I'd had the procedure done then start trying, long story short, the appointment took so long to come through we gave up 'being careful' as we felt we was wasting time, I got caught straight away! We now have 11 week old baby boy, but I'm STILL waiting to see what's happening with all my tummy problems! I'd never felt better being pregnant! It was a blessing, no periods, my mood was great every day, I was referred for an emergency appointment with the gynaecologist in my early stage of pregnancy but then it was cancelled, I've been messed around with it all from the word go and till this day I've had nothing to confirm a new appointment, that was 11 months ago! I hope you get pregnant naturally and not put on the back burner like I have done, I'm doing ok for now as I'm breastfeeding, so no periods, but I'm dreading the time I have to put him on bottles and my periods return! Good luck xxx