Chances are you or someone
you know has been effected by the painful disease Infertility. Whether they are
currently carrying this burden or overcame it. It’s a painful road to travel in
life. Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples and is now classifed by the American
Fertility Association as a disease of the reproductive system.
This week is National
Infertility Awareness Week. The theme for NIAW is “Don’t Ignore Infertility.”
What does the theme for
NIAW mean to you?.
Does it mean you don’t ignore
the signs of Infertility any longer and see a doctor?
Does it mean that you stop
ignoring Infertility, come out of the closet and start educating yourself and
others about the disease and how it can affect you and your loved ones?
It can mean a # of different
things to different people, but to me, “Don’t Ignore Infertility” means the
latter of the 2.
For a year my husband and I
suffered in silence telling only certain people what we thought they needed to
know and ignoring that we were being labeled as an Infertile Couple. I didn’t
want to believe it. I ignored the fact that we might someday be one of the
couples that do IVF, adopt or use a surrogate. We really didn’t educate
ourselves or delve into the world of Infertility. I had the same belief as so
many others that we are still young. And yes we maybe young, but my body says
otherwise. I have an AMH problem that basically says I have old eggs for my age
and by the time I am between the ages of 30 & 32 I may not have any viable
eggs left for pregnancy. I am 28 now and want 3 children and have only 2-4 good
years to do it.
While circumstance kept me
from trying to start a family sooner (my husband and I have been married for almost
2 yrs and together for 3 1/2). So no delay there. But I truly wish I would have learned at a younger
age I have medical problems that were going to make it difficult or near to
impossible to have children naturally, if at all. And to know now it was only a
few blood tests that found the medical conditions I have that are causing my
husband and I to suffer from Infertility. Something as simple as a blood test
that even your primary doctor can perform if looking for the right things. Had
I known this in my early 20’s I could have prepared for my future emotionally,
financially and marriage wise. While my husband has been wonderful through all
of this I sometimes feel bad that because of marrying me he has had to endure
all of this. But that is another blog for another time. :)
So in saying all of this my
husband and I have decided to become a voice for Infertility and rather then
letting it beat us we are determined to beat it. By sharing our story,
educating our friends and loved ones and becoming advocates in our hometown of St.
Louis as well as all over. I was shocked to learn at the local bookstore there
was not a special section for Infertility books. They had maybe 8 in the women’s
health section. The library has maybe 10-15 books. The biggest shock to me of
all was St. Louis had nothing going on for the week of NIAW. My husband and I
are determined to change all of this in the years to come so that Infertility
is no longer ignored or overlooked.
Moving forward I encourage
anyone reading this whether you suffer from Infertility or are a friend or
loved one who knows someone suffering. Educate yourself, let your voice be
heard, come out of the Infertility closet and give support to those around who
are suffering. Let’s not Ignore this disease any longer!!
If you would like more
information about Infertility or to let your voice be heard please visit the
links below.
http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html
(About NIAW)
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