How I knew
Even though my doctor told me I couldn't be pregnant, I eventually figured out that I could be. I'm so glad I was right, and not him 
As soon as I hung up the phone with my doctor, I thought what he told me didn't add up. He said I ovulated an "immature egg". He based this on my estrogen and progesterone levels because they were too low.
I'm going to do my best to not lose you guys. We're about to get into some sciencey stuff...
First up, estrogen. Estrogen (or estradiol) levels should be 200 pg/mL per mature egg at ovulation, according to my doctor. My estrogen was 94 pg/mL.
But the drug I was given to induce ovulation was anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors were not created to be fertility drugs. They're used to treat breast cancer because they lower estrogen levels.
Did you catch that? The drug I took lowers estrogen levels and one of the reasons my doctor told me I couldn't be pregnant was because my estrogen levels were low. Mmmhmm.
If you're a dork like me and care to read more about this, check out this study.
Next up, progesterone. My doctor said I ovulated the morning of my ultrasound or the night before. My progesterone was only 3 ng/mL which is low and just barely positive for ovulation.
But progesterone levels rise slowly after ovulation. They peak at 7 days post ovulation, and drop off if you're not pregnant and continue to stay high if you are pregnant.
(Source)
Since I just ovulated, it would make sense that they were low.
Still with me? Good. 
I thought maybe there was a chance I was pregnant. But I decided not to dwell on it. I'd gotten my hopes up so many times before, and I did not want to crush them again. After all, I came to this conclusion doing some basic research and the specialist told me I couldn't be pregnant.
Then I met with my new doctor (I had planned on getting a second opinion long before the "immature egg" hoopla). I explained these estrogen and progesterone theories to her and she completely agreed with me! She thought my old doctor was just not familiar enough with the drug he prescribed me, and she said I shouldn't count myself out this cycle.
But I still didn't want to get my hopes up.
Then I started to feel off.
I had been running a lot during the "two week wait" and my workouts were going well. I was gaining my speed back and felt on top of the world.
Then nearly 2 weeks after I ovulated, I had an awful run. I couldn't get my heart rate up and my pace was super slow, yet I was huffing and puffing. I'd felt like this one time before, when I took the hcg shot. The only reason hcg would be in my system now is if I was pregnant...
Still, I ignored the feeling.
Then I got super crampy and concluded my period was coming. The cramps were bad and lasted for days but my period didn't show.
So I took a test. And for the first time ever, I saw a second pink line.
I thought I'd jump up and down with excitement. I thought I'd cry tears of joy. I thought I'd shout "I'm pregnant" to the world.
I thought wrong. Happiness was the furthest emotion from my mind.
To be continued…
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June 6th, 2011 - 07:52
Doctors prescribing a drug they don’t understand is a scary though! So glad this turned out the way it did for you. And that you have a doctor who knows what shes talking about
June 6th, 2011 - 08:04
It’s crazy how soon that doctor dismissed the idea of you being pregnant. You really have to be your own advocate in health care. scary stuff!
June 6th, 2011 - 08:54
Hanging by a thread. Totally with you on the story. I commented on your miracle post, 8 yrs for me. Same story :-/ I had a consultation with a fertility doc who talked to me about anostrozole, but never prescribed bc we stopped being able to afford the visits. Just found it on an online pharmacy…. My husband said he needed to “read more” before he let me try to get some. Also, going to a new ob soon, who I’m sure won’t advocate it for ovulation. Ce la vie. Thx or sharing!!
June 6th, 2011 - 09:00
I’m so sorry. I hope your new doctor can help!
June 6th, 2011 - 09:05
Crazy! But isn’t intuition an amazing thing? So glad you listened to yours.
June 6th, 2011 - 09:08
honestly, my faith in the healthcare system decreases all the time. i’ve seen so many things happen that show that doctors know much less than I assume they do, just because they have the MD title. The only difference is that when I’m sick, I’m more motivated to do research than they are.
so, i’m glad your doc was wrong!!! So exciting and I can’t wait to read more about your pregnancy.
p.s. is that Lake Hartwell in the back??
June 6th, 2011 - 09:10
Yes! It’s at Clemson. My husband and I were there a few weeks ago to watch Clemson Sprints, a crew regatta.
June 6th, 2011 - 10:18
I am so glad you are sharing so much, I can already tell I am really going to enjoy following your journey through pregnancy
And just so you know, nothing you have said has at all upset me or made me want to not continue reading. I love your honesty and becoming pregnant does not take away from the fact that you still had to deal with infertility. Can’t wait to read more!
June 6th, 2011 - 11:04
A cliffhanger?! I am excited to read the rest, and I am so impressed that you followed your instincts and didn’t believe the doctor. We know our bodies better than anyone else and can always tell when something isn’t right…or in your case, when something is VERY right.
June 6th, 2011 - 11:19
This is so fascinating! I’m sorry I have not kept up with your blog like I would have liked to! Glad you are sharing all your details!
June 6th, 2011 - 12:48
I am loving these posts and I’m looking forward to reading more about your journey!
Even though Happiness wasn’t your first emotion I know you’re feeling it now and I love forward to hearing more Jen!
June 6th, 2011 - 13:53
You sure know your stuff!!
I’m excited to keep reading about your thoughts and how you’re feeling, but you’re going to need to blog everyday- these cliff hangers are brutal
June 6th, 2011 - 14:26
You and your darn cliffhanger!!
This is incredibly fascinating! I don’t know much about any of it, but I loved reading your explanation and how you did your own research. As much as I advocate for our healthcare system, it really does disappoint me. So many doctors can be so incredibly stubborn about what they think they know that they’re not willing to listen to their patients….or even keep up with current research, etc. It’s frustrating, but the reality is that most of the time you need to be your own advocate. I’m really happy you found someone who seems to understand your situation much better, and who is helping you through this journey.
And please blog again soon! I can’t wait to read more!
June 6th, 2011 - 14:56
Ahhh – that makes total sense about the low estrogen levels! I actually took Femara (also a breast cancer drug) the month BEFORE I got pregnant. While I didn’t get pregnant because of it, I do think it somehow jumpstarted my estrogen (which is what I seemed to be having issues with – my progestrone was always fine).
It’s funny that your “mom gut” has already kicked in!! Always go with your gut
Happiness was the furthest thing from my mind in BOTH pregnancies. Well, I was happy but I was so damn anxious. I had to keep telling myself it was real and I was WORTHY of having an awesome pregnancy!
June 6th, 2011 - 14:57
I am loving your story so far, Jen!! I think it’s awesome that you (throughout the process) always made sure to do your own research and listen to your own head and heart, rather than just the doctors. Some doctors are wonderful, others are terrible, and all of them make mistakes sometimes…even the great ones. I think it’s always important to remember that, and even though I know you experienced a ton of emotional ups and downs, you did a great job of always having hope and reaching out for support when you needed it. I really admire your strength and resilience throughout the process, and I couldn’t be more excited for you!
June 6th, 2011 - 15:08
I am hooked! I can’t wait to hear more. I’m confused though – “The drug I took lowers estrogen levels and one of the reasons my doctor told me I couldn’t be pregnant was because my estrogen levels were low. Mmmhmm.”
Why would they give you a drug to lower your estrogen levels when that decreases the chances of becoming pregnant?
June 6th, 2011 - 15:10
Oh no, it doesn’t lower your chances of becoming pregnant. Estrogen levels just gauge how mature an egg is at ovulation. The drug I took lowers estrogen levels (and does other things to help you ovulate), so that just means measuring estrogen was a poor way to tell if I ovulated. Basically, my doctor should have known that and should not have told me I couldn’t be pregnant.
June 6th, 2011 - 15:50
Oh so mean!! I want to read more! LOL! =) Coming over from HTP, I’m on the infertility journey and am on the 2WW…now down to 1WW and feeling crampy and hoping for the best! Can’t wait to read more! XO
June 6th, 2011 - 18:26
you are one smart cookie, my friend!
June 6th, 2011 - 20:13
I realized I might be pregnant bc of an off run (felt super hot, leaden legs, puffing after a mere 1 km), aren’t bodies the most incredible things?!
June 7th, 2011 - 06:32
i’m hooked, can’t wait for part 2!
June 7th, 2011 - 08:15
Waaa!! I can hardly wait! Your doctor sounds like a Debbie Downer. I’m anxious to see how they reacted when they realized you were pregnant as well!
June 7th, 2011 - 08:32
Just wanted to say how happy I am for you. I would love to have a baby, but life (not entirely related to infertility issues) doesn’t seem to have that in store for me right now. It does give me hope to see things work out for others!
June 7th, 2011 - 20:01
Wahoo! Congratulations
June 8th, 2011 - 06:23
To be continued? So mean! And isn’t it amazing how we can know our bodies so well?
June 8th, 2011 - 21:38
So exciting! I could literally feel your emotions while I read this! I’ve been there and remember all the feelings.