I am strong because I experienced things as a child and teenager than no one should ever go through. It took many years for me to be able to forgive those that hurt me. I am strong because I left for the Peace Corps right after college where I met the most amazing man that completes me. Ironically we were…
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Infertility, Twins, and Family {I Am Strong}
I am strong because I went through 4 years of infertility, the last 2 of those years were filled with fertility treatments.I am strong because on one of my first fertility treatments I saw the much anticipated faint pink line. I am strong because on the same day that I saw and photographed this line I lost my hope for…
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Infertility, Homebirth, Tongue Tie {I Am Strong}
I am strong because after two years of marriage, my husband and I were diagnosed with infertility so severe we’re unlikely to ever conceive a child naturally. I am strong because I was told we’d need in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive a child: a costly ($10,000-$15,000) procedure that is only successful in fewer than 30% of attempts. I am strong…
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Hospital Trauma and Healing at Home: A Story of Two Births (Part I)
**Trigger Warning: This post narrates a traumatic birth.** Sarah Robertson-Barnes, former contributor to the Pregnant and/or Parenting Through Adoption/Infertility/Loss (PAIL) blog collective and writer of Little Chicken Nuggets, shares two birth stories with us. With grace and humor she here describes the challenges of being pregnant after infertility and loss, and the traumatic hospital birth of her son, HGB. Tomorrow, Sarah…
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“Find a positive within this darkness.” | Infertility And Pregnancy
Thank you to Holly, for sharing your story and thoughts. When I was first asked to write this piece, initially I was overwhelmed… Despite being completely content with all of it in my head, how do I put the last decade of feeling and emotion into words coherent enough for people to read and make sense of? But after sifting through…
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Testing, Testing, 1-2-3 {A Journey Through Infertility}
{Editors Note: This story comes to us from Erin, a doula whose story we reshared on the blog not long ago. Her story of being a doula with infertility can be read here. Here she has shared with us her journey through medical testing to get to the point where she and her husband are now – knowing that IVF…
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Infertility, Loss, Cesarean Birth, and PPD {A Mother’s Story of Two Births}
{Editor’s Note: This story comes to us from Rachel. This is the story of infertility, loss, and two Cesarean births – one which was not empowering, and a second that was positive and healing. This is also the story of two experiences with Postpartum Depression and the effects on bonding and motherhood.} My story starts almost five years ago, it…
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A Letter To Our Child {An IVF Journey 2006 To 2013}
“We shared our trying to conceive journey through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) at City IVF and love the team. And after 6 cycles, 5 stims, and a 10 week scare, our dream came true. We had spotting to full on bleeds and this little girl hung on tight to her Mum for which I will be forever grateful! I hope my history/story/journey gives someone…
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The Magical Menstrual Cycle
{guest post by Samantha Bice} When did you first hear an explanation of your menstrual cycle? Apart from asking my mom or step mom what pads or tampons were upon seeing them in the cabinet, I don’t have a memory of an explanation until third grade. We all had to get a permission slip signed so that we could learn…