NIAW

It has not been lost on me that this week is National Infertility Awareness Week. For days I have been gathering my thoughts, wondering what a woman on the other side, but who still feels very much infertile, says about this week. I got my miracles- I got my two babies, which was what we always wanted pre-IF, but deep down it still hurts to know that I don't have the possibility to easily have more, like 7 out of 8 couples (since 1 in 8 experience infertility). The two babies I get to hold every day does not erase the long, arduous and uncertain path we traveled to get them. It makes it totally worth every heartache, tear, shot, and moment of despair- but it does not make all the past pain disappear.

Murgdan posted a link to Tears and Hope on her blog this week. I hadn't viewed it since our IVF cycle started. I bawled like never before while watching it this time... because I was holding a sleeping baby in my arms while seeing the words scroll across the screen. I could see my other sleeping baby just beyond the computer. I am at a loss for words to describe how it felt to watch it and feel those old emotions so freshly, knowing now what I did not the last time- that I would resolve our infertility, and that a year later, our family would be complete. Thank you Murgdan, for reminding me about it, and giving me the opportunity to view it from the other side. I hope someday everyone gets that chance.

Please be an advocate for infertility awareness. An advocate for education. An advocate for insurance coverage. An advocate for understanding and compassion for people dealing with infertility.