I just wanted to say how wonderful it is to have you guys. I never expected there to be a site dedicated to people with J-pouches discussing fertility and pregnancy. The support you give each other is amazing.
This is my first post and yesterday was probably the most surreal day for me, after having my pouch for over 13 years, I only just read yesterday that there is a high risk of infertility after having pouch surgery. It's strange, but all this time, I knew I had scar tissue as I started experiencing pain with my periods only after surgery, but I didn't put two and two together. I even had complications with adhesions after the first op, but I never imagined it would affect my tubes or ovaries.
Anyway, my partner and I have only been trying for a baby for 4 months, but I'm guessing at 35 I should start getting tests done now. The initial shock is over and I know there is support out there in you guys should I need it.
I plan to start the process of looking into the necessary tests etc tomorrow, but anyone advise on what tests I need or should I simply go and see my old surgeon or a specialist?
Thank you x

Definitely get tested. You should have an HSTG to see if your tubes are blocked as well as fertility hormones - prolactin, LH, etc...One of the blood panels to have done is day 3 labs because this helps determine how your body prepares for getting pregnant. But, don't neglect getting your partner checked because the rate of fertility issues in the general public is 1 in 4 couples and many of that number are those of us who started older.

I ended up doing IVF even though my tests and my hubbys were all fine. Worked 1st time 3 times, had a boy 4 years ago, miscarried 1 1/2 years later and then had a baby girl 18 months ago. The assumption is that I have scar tissue that kept sperm and egg from meeting. ONce that was done I got pregnant very easily. I was 34 when I conceived my son and 37 when I conceived my daughter.

Good luck!

Thank you, I'm getting to work today to try and get my appointments sorted and boyfriend too. I'm excited to hear that you have two children, you must be very proud. Well, I won't know until I get the tests, so thank you again for the encouragement and here goes! I'm sure I'll be back with an update soon.
x

I am 36 and after 6 months of trying I got pregnant. Usually you have to wait a year to see a specialist but my OB said I could have gone after 6 months. I called to make the appt and then I had to cancel after getting a positive test!

Good luck!

You don't have to wait any particular length of time to see a specialist. If you are over 35 and have had the surgery we've had, I wouldn't spend many more months trying before going to at least find out if your tubes or blocked and get a sperm analyzation done so you can find out where you're starting from at some level. An HSG test is one where they shoot some dye through your cervix and watch on an X-ray as it goes up into your uterus and through your fallopian tubes, hopefully smoothly, spilling harmlessly out past the tubes. You just take like 4 advil beforehand and it hurts only momentarily like getting a menstrual cramp and it's over very quickly, I think it took about 30 seconds. A fertility specialist will probably have you get that done and have your partner get his sperm tested to see where you stand initially. They can also do an ultrasound to see where your ovaries are - scar tissue often displaces them, and this is a sign that you're going to have some problems because unless they sit right on top of the opening of the fallopian tube, the egg can't probably make it into the tube and you can't get PG (this was my problem). If your tubes are clear and sperm count and motility is good, you could try a few more months (I recommend charting, using a basal body temp thermometer and using a free charting software like fertilityfriend.com - pick up the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility for more information). If tubes are clear, ovaries are in the right place and sperm is good but you have no action after 2 or 3 more cycles, I would meet with a fertility specialist.

I know it sounds daunting but at least you're thinking about it. I tried for over 2 years before breaking down and going to see fertility people and wasted precious time I could have been trying to have a baby through fertility assistance; as such, I didn't end up going through IVF til I was 39 and gave birth after I turned 40 so now we are out of money and out of time to save up more to go through it again as by the time we could get the money together to try it again, I'll be too old to get PG.

Hi All

I just wanted to say thank you for your replies. I organised for all the tests to be done to see if my partner and I had any issues and low and behold, before even having a chance to go for the first blood test, one week later I'm staring at a positive pregnancy test! Gosh, I can still hardly believe it. Let's see what my pouch has to say about it as the weeks go by, I'll keep you posted x x

Julieann that is incredibly wonderful news!!!! Let us know what questions you have as you go along.