Dear Sheri,
I just saw your post, and like you, I am a DES daughter. I have had two in vitro attempts, both complete failures despite excellent embryo quality. I am beginning to wonder if my endometrium has problems. My uterus is a bit smaller, but slight reduction in size doesn't explain the lack of implantation. I am wondering if I might need more hormonal support. The clinic I use doesn't tailor treatments to individual needs-my DES exposure has never figured in their calculations. I was hoping you wouldn't mind telling me what sort of hormonal support you got--any additional estrogen (they just give me patches, one every 4 days) or progesterone (I get daily suppositories). Is there anything else they give you to bolster the uterus, such as LH drugs like Luveris? I hope you don't mind all the questions, but I live in France, and the treatment is impersonal, so I feel I have to do my own research.
Many thanks.
I am a DES baby, and 36 years old. I am currently pregnant with my second. Women of DES mothers can have incompetent cervix, which causes miscarriages. My cervix is also shaped sort of odd, like takes a 90 degree turn or something, so when they did IUI on me, they always had to use a tenaculum (aka.. MEAT HOOK!) to get the catheter threaded through.
Your doctor can carefully monitor your cervical length throughout your pregnancy and perform cerclage if needed to prevent a miscarriage.
I am being monitored once every 3 weeks for cervical length because of the DES exposure. I always had to do fertility treatments, but I'm not sure if that is really linked to the DES. I didn't have trouble with incompetent cervix with the first, and so far, no problems with the second! :)
Sheri
I don't know if I had DES exposure, but I was born at the right time when it was commonly used. I am 47 years old and have had infertility troubles all my life. I have never been pregnant. I have an oddly shaped cervix, which is a symptom of DES exposure. Other than that, I can't say whether my troubles were caused by DES or not. I know of a law firm that will help you if you are having DES side effects.