This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. It’s an opportunity to expose the rest of the world to the social stigma that has been placed on a great number of individuals throughout the world. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association shares that one in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. I certainly believe that. Since starting this journey with S., I’ve discovered two women in my office who have dealt with or are dealing with infertility. Two of my girlfriends’ husband had male-factor infertility factors that caused immense difficulty in getting pregnant. An associate of mine from my high school days shared her sister’s struggle with infertility a few weeks ago and it was so heartbreakingly raw and familiar that I felt an ache in my chest for quite some time after reading their story.
So, just what does this week mean to me? Well, quite frankly, it means support. I can’t tell you how many blog posts have come across my feed all sharing their infertility stories, successes, failures, fears, etc. It means a lot to me. It lets me know I’m not alone. That day I received two simultaneous pregnancy announcements and cried in the shower for an hour after they left?…yep, the #ttccommunity understood. That day I was so excited for another #ttc sister on my IG field that I squealed out load while sitting in the bed and said a prayer for immediately? Yep, the community gets it.
Days when I’ve felt like the lowest of the low for being resentful of a pregnancy announcement, days when I felt on the highest high for the success of others, days when I have cried over announcements of miscarriage, BFN, or some other loss or failure for a woman I have never met even met–this #infertility community understands and relates.
I don’t know if I’ll be blessed to conceive naturally with S. Our story may be another adoption. It may be contentment with our family as is. Whatever the journey, I’m pleased to know there are others who know, understand, and can relate. Infertility is real. It is raw. It is painful. I am #1of8.
-K
