Shanon's HSG Test Experience

The doctor started me on Provera to start my period and then scheduled an HSG test for October. Short description: the HSG test is done after the menstrual cycle finishes. You get a special tube with a balloon on the end inserted into the cervix. Then they inflate the balloon and inject a dye into your uterus that works through the fallopian tubes. They use a special x-ray machine that doesn't take photos but video to determine if there are any clogs. They say it usually takes 20 minutes.


October 17th came and the Hubs went with me to take the HSG tets. As we were being checked in the nurse commented that I was too young to be tested for infertility... I had turned 22 that August. They wouldn't let Hubs go with me so he waited in the waiting room (and went and got me a book and a stuffed animal because he couldn't sit still). I went in and.... started spotting again. Had to postpone the test for the next cycle.


November 7th was round 2. This time was interesting.... Hubs couldn't come. Great...


They called me back and had me get into a hospital robe. No jewelry, nothing. I recommend wearing socks. Why? The room felt about 50 degrees and while laying on the table I had to hold my breath to get my legs to stop shaking long enough for the doctor to do what he needed to do... Anyway.


They had me sit/lay on the edge like any OB exam. Feet in stir-ups. Then they used the metal speculum (which I'd never had, only plastic) and then inserted the tube/balloon and the dye. Told me I should feel a pinch when it went in the cervix. I didn't feel anything and the doctor said it was barely in. Then the nurse had to pull me BACK along the table to be positioned under the x-ray machine. This is when they actually inject the dye. Didn't work so they had to scoot me BACK down to the edge again. They got the plastic speculum and redid the procedure. I felt a pinch that time on my right side (cervix is to the right). They pulled me BACK along the table and redid the test.


It was like heaven hearing the doctor say "Left side open.... Right side open". It gave me such high hopes. Like something was FINALLY going right in this process. The nurse even let me watch the video of the injection. It was really cool to watch it! She even told me to try and lay on my right side after sex since my cervix was more that way!

Next: Clomid!
~Shannon