Even though the week is almost over, I still wanted to post about National Infertility Awareness Week as it is something near and dear to our hearts. We have been struggling with infertility over the last few years and we both believe it’s important to bring awareness to this issue as it’s typically not on most people’s radars.
Infertility is a heart-wrenching, faith-questioning, relationship-testing, account-draining, life-altering experience. One in eight couples struggles through this every single day, so chances are you know someone very close to you going through it. My biggest piece of advice is to let them know you are thinking of them and support their decisions but don’t offer advice unless asked for it. You don’t know their story, what they are going through or where they are in their journey. Please know that some of us would gladly take 9 months of extreme morning sickness or a sleep deprived life just to hold that miracle in our arms, so... please think before you complain…in person or online. It’s like when someone complains about a parent or sibling when others would give anything to bring them back into their lives…it hurts. Just know how lucky you are. While we are happy for our family and friends when they have a baby or share joyous occasions/pictures of their children, it is a reminder of what we so desperately want but don’t have. Please include us in any and all functions as we don't want to feel left out or treated differently but know that there are going to be times when we need to distance ourselves from situations that cause stress or anxiety. It's nothing personal to you, but something we have to do for ourselves, for our own health. We are surrounded by it everywhere we go and it takes an undefined strength to keep pushing forward through the difficult times. This isn’t a devastation you only encounter once, but it is one that comes on a reoccurring basis…every single month. It’s hard to wait around for something that might never be, but it’s hard to let go when it is everything you have ever wanted. Thank you to our family and friends who have been a great support system over the last few years…you know who you are. We love you and are lucky to have you in our lives as others who struggle with this go through it alone. We are stronger because of this experience and will continue to fight every step of the way.
More info about NIAW, infertility, treatments, costs, and legislative issues: http://www.resolve.org/
Some great advice if you know someone struggling through infertility: http://www.resolve.org/
