Kristi Bother, of
This Side of Heaven and Naomi's Circle, posted a fantastic article on
Infertility: What It Really Is for a motherhood blog this week. Here are my memories her list stirred:
Infertility is hormones so far out of whack that your ovulation predictor test (measuring the surge in hormones that should only happen to bring about ovulation, but when chronically elevated actually prevents ovulation at all) tells you that you are “ovulating” when you are just starting your period and know it to be a medical impossibility.
Infertility is extra pounds that will not be shed, deep painful acne and intense sugar cravings.
Infertility is squirming under the teasing of friends who ask, “You guys know how this is supposed to work, right?”
Infertility is going to someone’s baby shower on Day 2 of another negative cycle and making a blubbering fool of yourself.
Infertility is taking your cat to the vet to get “fixed” the same week you are taking fertility shots to try to get your own ovaries to actually work!
Infertility is driving to the lab with your husband’s sperm sample tucked safely into your bra (gotta keep it body temperature you know) and praying you don’t get in a car accident where you will have to explain the contents to an EMT.
Infertility is being the only woman in your row who doesn’t stand for a flower at church on Mother’s Day, then having a “pity flower” gently placed in your lap during prayer because the usher saw your tears.
Infertility is attending a loved ones funeral and realizing you will never get to tell this person if you ever are blessed to have a child joining your family.
Infertility is grieving another wedding anniversary, not because it marks years of marriage, but because it is a firm reminder of how long you have been trying to conceive and/or adopt.
Infertility is celebrating months of severe morning sickness because you never thought you would get the chance!
Infertility is being 7 months pregnant and feeling like you don’t belong at your own baby shower because this world has been so foreign to you for so long.
Infertility is answering your two-year-old’s questions and confusion when he tells you he wants a baby sister and you tell him you want that too, but know it took years to have him.
Infertility is trying to help your toddler grasp that their baby who was in your tummy just yesterday now lives in Heaven and will not be coming home to us.
Infertility is when your preschooler would rather watch the adoption agency welcome video for the millionth time rather than a new episode of Blue’s Clues or Thomas the Tank.
Infertility is hearing people tell you how perfectly you “planned” and spaced your children over a six-year-window and rolling your eyes inside because you know that the three living miracles they see are totally God’s doing and not your plan at all, part of 13 sibling (biological and adoption attempts) who touched your lives over more than a decade.
Infertility is realizing that now you are the “mother with the most children” but still don’t qualify to claim the title in this Mother’s Day contest because the number in your home doesn’t match the number carried in your heart.
Infertility is getting to claim some kind of title in the contest but not wanting to take the prize because you know the whole affair is hurting someone else’s heart and there is no chance to tell your story and let her know how you got here.
Infertility is learning that I am not God.
Since typing with just one hand means I don't often get this page updated, this is just a reminder to join https://www.facebook.com/HannahsHopeBook as I am frequently passing on fresh resources on infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant death, marriage and adoption there! (Pushing the "share" button to pass along others' resources is much easier than the mental or physical stamina required to type up fresh blog content. I'm happy to highlight what other first post!) PLEASE JOIN US.
