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1. How have you been impacted by infertility?
My husband and I went through a 3-year infertility journey. 10 years before my husband and I started dating he got a vasectomy after believing his time for having children was complete. Falling In love and wanting a little of our own, we started down the path of infertility treatments.
2. What helped you cope with your infertility experience?
Infertility has highs and lows, there are times you feel so hopeful and then there are times you don’t want to believe because the let-down will be too great. Before embarking on our journey, my husband and I did couples counseling to prep for the hard times. I believe this approach helped us feel connected going in, through, and after (no matter the outcome).
3. If you could give anyone who is experiencing infertility one piece of advice/encouragement what would it be?
Advocate for yourself. The process is scientific, but it’s also trial and error. You know your body, you know your gut, listening to those intuitions and using your voice allows you to know you are doing all you can and not end up feeling regretful. When the Doctors gave us a 0% chance, we said that wasn’t going to be our end. We followed our knowledge and intuition believing if we didn’t try or advocate for ourselves, it wouldn’t happen.
4. How did you help those around you have a better understanding of what you were experiencing?
I’ve learned voicing needs or experiences has been the best way to help others understand the experience. Not only was it freeing for me, but it was also appreciated by so many around me because come to find out there were women going through the same experience in silence. Sharing made them feel connected and supported.
5. If someone knows someone who is experiencing infertility, what is the best way they could support them?
Someone once told me words are nice, action speaks louder. My best advice is not only to check in on someone experiencing infertility but physically be present for them - cook dinner, pick up groceries, and go on a walk with them. The Infertility process is exhausting, taking some pressure off daily life is a gift.
6. What does a rainbow symbolize to you?
A rainbow symbolizes hope and faith. It’s always chasing after the beauty of life.
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