I Am 1 In 6

Infertility. No one thinks it will happen to them. In reality, fertility – something we take for granted – is a miraculously coordinated orchestra of hormones and timing. In couples suffering from infertility (IF) a part (or parts) of the orchestra are not playing in key. Just one wrong note makes the seemingly simple task of procreation extremely difficult. This is our journey from IF to baby.

What is Baby Dust?

Baby Dust is a wish of good luck for a woman who is trying to conceive.  It is like saying break a leg for an actor or merde for a dancer.  You say “baby dust” as a good luck wish.

How to support a friend with IF

You are not an expert in conception.  Having a viable pregnancy does not make you an expert in this.  Trust me, your IF friend has read more books and knows more about conception than you could ever hope to know.

RELAXING is not a medical treatment for IF.

IF is a medical condition treated with a wide array of treatments none of which include a pillow under the hips!

Don’t offer us your eggs/sperm/uterus.  This is like me wanting a porsche and you offering to let me drive yours.  If I ever want to drive your porsche I’ll ask.

Don’t assume I will fall apart if you tell me our mutual friend is pregnant.  I might fall apart but you will only make it worse by going on and on about how “I didn’t want to tell you but…”  Just tell us like ripping a band aid off.

Forgive me for making excuses to get out of baby showers and other events featuring pregnant women or babies.  Sometimes it hurts too bad and a well planned excuse is just an act of self preservation.

IF treatments are intensive, sometimes painful, always emotionally taxing procedures.  This isn’t like getting a splinter removed.  If your friend has a procedure – CALL and ask how she is doing at least.  Flowers and chocolate are also appreciated.

Fertility drugs can make you crazy.  Erratic behavior is expected, please understand.  Imagine your worst PMS then multiply it by 1000 then imagine it is happening during a devistating time in your life like the loss of a loved one – this may get you 1/2 way to grasping the roller coaster her emotions are on.

The failure of an IF cycle is like dying a little inside.  Flippant remarks like “you can have my kid” or “don’t worry it will happen” is demeaning.

How many pregnancy tests have you taken?  We’ve peed on hundreds of home pregnancy test sticks.  We have prayed over the stick for 3 minutes for 2 pink lines.  We have held the stick in the light and looked for even the phantom of a line.  We have cried over many sticks and taken another (and another) to be sure.  Our relationship with pregnancy tests are not the same as yours.

Our IF is NOT at all like the “agonizing 4 months” it took you to get pregnant.  We are not being impatient we are suffering from an illness (or illnesses).

Don’t say “you can always adopt.”  While adoption is a beautiful option and we may get there one day – don’t assume we are there now.  Giving up on our biology is a difficult process of loss.  Saying this to a couple who is not ready to move on is paramount to saying “you can always remarry” to a woman who’s husband has just died.

Don’t ask us “are you pregnant?” every time we call.  For goodness sake we will let you know!  Your prayers are so so welcome but don’t ask stupid questions.

Don’t say things like “I wish my house was as clean as yours, but we have 2 kids.” OR “Must be nice to sleep in on Saturdays, our kids get us up.” OR “You’re lucky you can afford manicures/pedicures/theatre tickets/other luxuries; but you don’t have kids to take all your money.”  Seriously, saying things like this is like punching us in the stomach.  We would gladly have a messy house, no sleep, and ratty finger nails to not feel the empty hole of childlessness in our lives.

Do you want to support me?  Tell me that you can’t imagine what we are going through.  Tell me you don’t know what to say but that you are always there for me if I need you.