National Infertility Awareness Week

On this day, one year ago, I got some awesome news! I found out that I was expecting again. That day my world seemed to get a little bit better. After losing our precious baby and facing the infertility battle once again I wasn't sure I would ever hear those words again. I was already so in love with the precious little embryo that was beginning to grow. Today, a year later, I can't even describe the amount of love that I have for my sweet baby boy. I truly feel like my life was incomplete before I had him. I'm so blessed. God is good and he has given me the best gift possible.

Appropriately, this week is National Infertility Awareness week. After thousands of dollars spent on medication and procedures, a few IUI's, 3 IVF's, the loss of a baby girl, and a complicated and high-risk pregnancy, all over the last 3 years, we were finally blessed with Cole. The Hell we lived through pales in comparison to the joy our hearts are now filled with. But the long, and painful journey to have a baby is being experienced by so many others. I feel that I was chosen to survive the infertility journey so that  I could be a positive advocate for others going through the same things.  It's a lonely world and many times it's taboo to talk about what you are feeling.  I want society to realize that it's not our fault that we can't conceive naturally.  Don't judge us either!  It's not like we lived an alternative lifestyle that resulted in us not being able to have a child.  We are not diseased and filthy.  We did not choose this, nor would we wish it on our worse enemy.  And, we should not have to be quiet throughout the process. 

If you have a few minutes, take a look at the links below.  Infertility happens to more people than you would think.  About 7.3 million people, or 1 in 8 couples experience some type of hardship in trying to have a baby.  Also, so many couples that face the physical complications of getting pregnant are also forced to face heavy financial implications.  Infertility treatment is very expensive.  Only a handful of states have mandated that insurance companies help pay (and yes, I said help...not fully cover) for treatment.  Luckily, I live in IL and I had wonderful insurance.  But, we still paid several thousand dollars when it was all said and done.  For young couples, the financial costs are daunting.  It's not like we'd ever say any amount of money was worth more than having a child, but it's so scary to think how much debt you can accumulate during the process. 

Most people think they don't know anyone going through infertility treatments, but I think if people talked about it more everyone would be surprised to find out that they probably do know someone in that position.  I'm asking that you take time to educate yourself about this important topic.  Your education about the subject can mean the world to someone who is encountering this difficult time in their life.  If you know someone who is being treated and you are not sure how to talk to them or what to say, feel free to ask me.  I am a pretty open book and I would be happy to help you talk to your friend/family member in a non-offensive and supportive way. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post today.  This is a topic that I will always feel passionate about.  After all, how else do you think I was able to hold my precious little Cole in my arms this morning and melt when he smiled at me?

http://tearsandhope.com/

http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/home-page.html