Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Another Bump in the Road...Minus the Bump




Well, it is officially official. A week ago I was 5 weeks pregnant and today I am not. Yes, it was early. Yes, I am lucky I have a beautiful little boy. Yes, at least I know I can get pregnant (every 3 to 4 years). But YES, IT SUCKS.

Three weeks ago my breasts were swollen and sore. I thought it was normal PMS until I realized that my period was still 2 weeks away. A seed of hope began to grow. During the second week of tenderness I would revel at the pain as each day it continued my confidence in being pregnant grew. I took a pregnancy test, it was negative. I took a pregnancy test, it was negative. But I was sure. I took 4 more pregnancy tests and they were positive, although it wasn't until the 4th test that Dustin believed it as well. We didn't dance around the house and sing as we did the first time. We didn't start planning and naming and giggling as we did the first time. But there was a quiet reverence in the house as we crept around each other in awe of our budding miracle.

Then the bleeding started and my heart dropped. I didn't admit it out loud until I told my friend about it at church and that is when the doubt started to trickle in. The next day I made an appointment with the doctor and was told that it was a threatened abortion but that it could go either way. 50/50 were my odds, although with my history it felt more like 90/10. That night Dustin gave me a blessing and like the sweet, genuine, honest and faithful man that he is, he searched for the right words to comfort me but didn't feel right in saying that this pregnancy would continue.

The next day I had another appointment and by this time the anxiety of the situation was overwhelming. I am already an anxious person and the waiting and battle between hope and doubt were more than I could handle. When the doctor told me that my uterus was small but that we would still have to wait for another week, that was my last straw. My car was parked at the top of a steep hill and as I climbed the hill my breath grew shallow and started coming in gasps. By the time I reached my car I could barely breathe. And as I drove home my heart flooded into tears. I couldn't reach Dustin, Jackson was asleep and I felt very alone and very weak. I got on my knees and prayed. I prayed for it to all be OK. I prayed to have a child, for Jackson to have a sibling, for Dustin to not have yet another obstacle to overcome while in school. And in the end I prayed that I would have to strength to go through a miscarriage. My heart felt broken and my spirit felt void. I prayed for peace.

The next morning I didn't feel pregnant. Then I started to cramp. Then I started to bleed. But that same morning I felt at peace. I felt calm and assured. Our home was quiet and we felt joy at watching Jackson totter around us and be the wild, sweet boy that he is.

We are sad for what we almost had and lost but we will be OK as we always have been. I just wanted to share our experience as I know our infertility does not set us apart but allows us to share in others struggles and trials with more compassion and love.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Infertility



Was referred to this article by Dustin's grandmother and I really appreciated it. For all those whom I love who struggle with infertility, and for those who love and me and support me in my trial.

Infertility: When Children Don’t Come Easily
Kerstin Daynes - June 14, 2011


I have sat in Relief Society, looking around at the sisters, certain that none of them knew how I felt. I was sure that they had no clue what it was like to feel the deep sorrow and grief caused by infertility. To others, my body looks fine and they would never suspect that inside, my soul is bruised, tender, and aching.

Though I often felt that no one knew my pain, I have learned with time that I was wrong. Perhaps every woman does not know what it is like to be infertile, but without question, every woman knows what it feels like to be saddened by experiences of life. Our circumstances are very different, but we have all wept because of heartache, misery, disappointment, and guilt when life does not turn out the way we desired or felt that it should. How common we really are!

With statistics showing that infertility affects 15 percent of the population, it could be said that each of us knows someone who is dealing with infertility—it could be a friend, a sister, a son, or, it may be you. It is incredibly painful to learn that you cannot do what comes so easily for most people. And, when you are in a religious culture that is focused on families, feelings of deep sorrow can emerge frequently.

Regardless of if we are fertile or infertile, stepping back and thinking about infertility differently can offer hope, peace, and feelings of inclusion.

If You Are Dealing with Infertility
It is easy to feel as though you live on the social periphery where you are observing everyone else living the ideal life. You feel forgotten. You feel like you do not belong. But, at the same time, you, I, and all people with this challenge have a choice. We can choose to feel isolated and alone, or we can find meaning and depth to life as it is. Here are some ideas to consider.



1. Recognize your specific, individualized plan.
We all do it—we all look at our lives and how they are deficient compared to everyone else. These moments of comparison do us no good. We need to remember that in addition to His overall plan, Heavenly Father also has an individualized, specific plan for each of us. We are each given opportunities to learn and grow, tailored to our personalities, that are different from anyone else’s opportunities. It is in these differences that we can see that we are being tutored, that our souls are expanding, and that our hearts are being purified.

2. Find life in other realms.
Parenthood is only one realm of life. Each realm, even if it lasts but a small season, can add dimension, provide growth, and change us in ways that other realms cannot. Additionally, each realm can provide new friends, draw new talents from within us, and allow us to be something greater than we were before. These realms, of course, do not replace parenthood. Rather, they are what we do in the interim. Some of these other realms include volunteering, receiving an education, enjoying a career, being a temple worker, or developing a talent.

3. Educate rather than retaliate.
Be ready for questions and comments—they come when you least expect it! When you come up with exact phrases to use at specific times, you will be prepared instead of being caught unaware. When you are prepared, it is easier to remain calm and in control. Try to make your responses positive and non-offensive. If we respond negatively, we further isolate ourselves and push ourselves away from others. When we focus on educating and helping to raise awareness, we foster relationships of love and understanding.

4. Preserve your marriage.
Be careful that infertility and the quest for a child does not become a priority over your marriage relationship. Fortify your marriage by going on dates, setting goals unrelated to baby-making, learning what your spouse needs from you and providing it, and being sensitive to the emotions of your spouse. Establish “time-outs” when you keep yourself away from anything associated with infertility. If you can preserve a good relationship with your spouse, you will endure this trial.

5. Do the things you know you should.
Going to the temple won’t improve sperm count. Reading your scriptures will not open damaged fallopian tubes. But doing these things shows that we are choosing to have faith. If we want miracles to happen and doors to open, we need to do all things we have been told to do. Even after our expression of faith, the outcome of our actions may not be the exact miracle we seek, but we will have increased ability to cope, strength to endure, and ability to see interim blessings.

For Those Seeking to Support
It can be difficult to support someone dealing with infertility. As with any trial, it is challenging to know exactly what to say and how to say it without offending or causing an overwhelming emotional response. No matter who you are, you are in a unique position and have a valuable opportunity to help your friend or family member find the capacity to endure this trial with greater success. Here are some things to consider:

1. Think about what you have to offer.
In a time of trial, has someone reached out to you in a way that you appreciated? Could you apply those acts of love to the situation with your friend or family member who is dealing with infertility? We all know what it feels like to feel alone, betrayed, and to be pained by a life experience. We can take what we have learned to reach out and help another.

2. Learn more about infertility.
Since statistics show that 15 percent of the reproductive-age population experiences infertility, to the other 85 percent, fertility is what is known. That 85 percent might not know that infertility affects so many people, what the causes of infertility are, and the treatment options that are available. Educating yourself about infertility gives you a greater advantage as you reach out to comfort your friend.

3. Recognize that every case of infertility is unique.
Diagnoses are different, which means the path to building a family is different for every couple. It is very easy for every infertile couple to be lumped into one category and for others to assume that what worked for Couple A will surely work for Couple B. Instead of telling your friend about someone else’s experience, focus on what your friend is talking about and learn about his or her specific experience.

4. Understand that infertility is real.
“Trying too hard” or not understanding human reproduction doesn’t cause infertility. Some causes of infertility may require medical intervention, medications, or even surgeries to improve chances of conceiving and carrying a child to full term. Some couples may never be able to conceive. A couple can be at the beginning of the road, while another is seasoned by years of disappointment. Another couple may be dealing with multiple miscarriages, while another is wondering why baby number one came so easily and number two has been a struggle. Recognize that the suffering, frustration, and anger are real.

5. Acknowledge challenges across the life span.
The topic of families and children comes up regularly as we give lessons and plan activities. It is important to acknowledge families come in all shapes and sizes. Additionally, it is healthy to acknowledge that life is far from perfect for any of us. Be honest about how these imperfections affect us and consider how the gospel can fortify us during these adversities.

Infertility does not have to be the “elephant in the room.” Rather, it is something that can be addressed and acknowledged with genuine love and understanding. As we consider our similarities and put forth a bit of effort, we will recognize that we have the capacity to reach out to offer—or accept—peace, comfort, and a place of belonging.

Hope in Treatment
If there’s one thing fertility specialist Dr. Russell Foulk could say to couples struggling with infertility, it is: “Infertility is a treatable condition.”

Foulk, a nationally recognized reproductive endocrinologist with Utah Fertility Clinic, says one of the biggest misconceptions about infertility is that it’s difficult to treat. “As long as you can find the factor that’s keeping them from getting pregnant, you can overcome it.” In fact, Foulk says 95 to 98 percent of infertility cases can be overcome with normal processes.

Another misconception that keeps couples from treatment is that treatment is prohibitively expensive, but with lack of ovulation being the largest cause of infertility, most couples can be treated for $2,000 or less—a far cry from the tens of thousands many expect. “There are some people that have to do the expensive stuff, but the vast majority do not need that,” he says.

Psychologists have found that being infertile has the same psychological impact as being diagnosed with cancer, so even taking initial steps to treat it provides astounding relief to couples. “Don’t continue to suffer with it,” he says, knowing from his own experience, together with his wife, how frustrating infertility can be. “One of the things we see is a lot of relief. Once couples see what’s wrong and find a way to cur it, then it gives them hope and they know they will eventually achieve a successful outcome.”