With the start of National Infertility Awareness Week #NIAW2020 in full swing, I am feeling all the feels. The brave voices speaking out and speaking up about infertility and the ways it has impacted their lives is incredible. I don’t for one second, wish this experience on anyone however I am constantly blown away by the way this community supports and lifts each other up, every step of the way.
I hope you’ve had a chance to read yesterday’s Advocate Spotlight with Krista, Jenny and Eva. If you haven’t had a chance, you can read it here! These women and their stories speak incredible volumes of strength and are each so different.
Throughout this week, you will continue to hear from women from the community here on Loving Adeline sharing a bit of their story. I encourage you to follow along and get to know these women a bit.
If you are someone feeling alone in this muck, these women would welcome a message from you with open arms. My hope is that by sharing with you the journeys of these women who share openly on public platforms that you are able to find someone who’s story resonates with you.
If you are someone wondering how you can support someone in your life that is going through this, these women are sharing what they want you to know and how they feel most supported.
Arden ( IG:@ardenmcartrette )
http://hello-warrior.com
Female Factor Infertility and Unexplained Infertility
Mom to baby boy
How long have you/did you navigate infertility?
2.5 years
Where were you in your journey when you found this corner of the internet? Where are you now?
6 months in.
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What does this community mean to you?
Is it cliche to say “everything”? It’s given me a sense of community, people to talk to who get what I’m going through and it’s helped me learn so much about what I was going through.
What has been the most challenging for you (and your partner)?
Communication at times. We both grieve and handle disappointment so differently.
We all crave support in different ways. What makes you feel the most supported?
When someone checks in on me and asks how I’m doing.
What would you like others to know who haven’t been through this?
That it’s extremely isolating – even if you have a support system.
What would you like to say to someone that is either just beginning this process and/or is going through this in silence?
Know that you don’t have to share your journey with others to be brave or strong. And most importantly, all of your feelings are valid.
Alyssa ( IG:@themachtales )
Female Factor Infertility
How long have you/did you navigate infertility?
2.5 years
Where were you in your journey when you found this corner of the internet? Where are you now?
About 1 year TTC
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What does this community mean to you?
Everything. Helps me know I’m not alone.
What has been the most challenging for you (and your partner)?
Not having any answers as to why I keep miscarrying.
View this post on Instagram
We all crave support in different ways. What makes you feel the most supported?
When someone reaches out to me just to let me know they are there.
What would you like others to know who haven’t been through this?
We are still the same people we were before infertility.
What would you like to say to someone that is either just beginning this process and/or is going through this in silence?
You are not alone.
Janine ( IG:@movingmntns )
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCDNOScGePhUQgQJRoacRg
Female Factor and Male Factor Infertility
Expecting IVF Twins
How long have you/did you navigate infertility?
22 months.
Where were you in your journey when you found this corner of the internet?
14 months
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What does this community mean to you?
I’ve made some of my closest friends through the community and would still feel alone without it.
What has been the most challenging for you (and your partner)?
Feeling like our first RE was trying to push us towards treatment that would have been a waste of time and money with our diagnosis. Found a new RE and it made a world of difference. We don’t regret going straight to IVF at all.
We all crave support in different ways. What makes you feel the most supported?
When people reached out to check in on how we were doing throughout the process.
What would you like others to know who haven’t been through this?
It sucks and sometimes that’s all we need to hear. Not “to relax” or “just adopt” etc.
What would you like to say to someone that is either just beginning this process and/or is going through this in silence?
You don’t have to do it alone. There’s a whole army out there who will support you every step of the way.
Natalie (IG: ___natie____ )
Female Factor Infertility and Single Parent by Choice
Mother to IVF baby, Harry.
What fertility treatments have you done?
2 egg retrievals, 2 transfers. A twin ectopic & miscarriage in one pregnancy (yep triplets), and a high risk pregnancy with my son. Losing both Fallopian tubes during IVF.
How long have you/did you navigate infertility?
12 months actively trying IVF. Even longer looking for a partner.
Where were you in your journey when you found this corner of the internet? Where are you now?
I found the world of Instagram when I was first starting back in 2017, I’m now raising my 9 month old son.
What does this community mean to you?
Support. There’s always someone to relate to, share experiences and guidance through the ups and downs.
What has been the most challenging for you (and your partner)?
People assume that because I’m a solo mother by choice that I didn’t struggle with infertility, loss or financial stress. There’s sometimes an assumption that I didn’t have troubles having a baby, that I didn’t lose a part of my soul during the process because it was by choice. Although partner or not, IVF was always my only route to a baby. And that my journey to find a partner started a decade ago. Not being able to try for a baby is hard.
We all crave support in different ways. What makes you feel the most supported?
Interaction, being heard and spoken to.
What would you like others to know who haven’t been through this?
Infertility is a roller coaster, there’s good, bad, some sharp twists and turns, you can always get off the ride and you’ll be different when it’s finished with you!
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What would you like to say to someone that is either just beginning this process and/or is going through this in silence?
There are so many people going through what you are and you don’t have to do it in silence.
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