Fertility hasn’t been an easy journey for us. We have been married for 17 years and we have on and off been trying for 9 years. We got married young and decided to wait, and my career took off and I was on the road literally 50-75% of my time. Even fertility doctor said since I am not home half of the time, we have practically been only trying for the half of the time. True but I was looking for a more supporting answer.
So what happened?
It’s a blessing that I have been really healthy for all my life, but when it comes to the fertility department, it’s been extremely challenging. You name it, I have tried it on multiple attempts. We have done 3 IUIs, 2 IVFs including an egg donor bailed on me at end of the cycle, hundreds of shots later and a permanent medical burn scar on my belly from being allergic to Ovidrel, still empty-handed. The only explanation they gave me is “I have poor quality eggs”. You can imagine how brutal and heart breaking that can be, nothing I can do to reverse time. It’s definitely an emotional ride and financial torture. Through this process, I am grateful for my caring and supportive husband, aka an almost certified nurse doing all the daily shots for me. I have not cried once despite it’s a disappointing experience, I told myself I will not let the stress of infertility overtake my life. I am still hopeful that the right timing will come.
Seeing all these needles that went through me, it is difficult, although possible to relieve some of the stress and pressure of infertility treatment. Few humbling tips as you go through fertility treatments:
What’s next for me?
I switched job, walked away from a highly demanding, stressed environment and let my mind & body rest. Learning new things at the new job and soaking in new knowledge re-energized me. Most of all, my stress level dropped back down to zero and it brings such a positive impact to my life. Thus, I went for another round of IVF and that would be my last attempt…and now, I am blessed to be pregnant with a big smile on my face! I truly believe that being a mom is the most incredible, precious and rewarding calling one will ever have. What an exciting time!
What’s your journey like overcoming infertility?
