Today I’m interviewing Ashley from Man and Wife and Two Fur Babies. Ashley is currently pregnant after IVF, and I hope her IVF story inspires all of you who are looking at IVF in your future.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Ashley and my blog is Man and Wife and Two Fur Babies. I am from Dallas and have lived here my whole life except for the 4 years I was in college at Texas A&M University. Gig ’em ags! That is where I met and fell in love with my husband. We started dating in 2005 and got married in 2009. I am a teacher, but took a leave of absence from the classroom to be an interventionist for the school. This means I pull kids from their classroom and work in small groups on concepts they need extra help on. I love my job and the hours are great, especially when I was seeing my RE daily! I LOVE pinterest and anything blogging. I love to work out and spend time with our 2 fur babies, Stella and Allie.
Q. How long did you TTC and what struggles did you face?
Kyle and I decided to start trying in June 2012. I stopped taking birth control then and we “actively” started trying in August 2012. The struggles we have faced are Kyle being diagnosed with varicoceles, a failed varicoceles surgery, PCOS, thyroid problem, cancelled IUI, and a miscarriage.
Q. What was your lowest point and how did you survive it?
My lowest point was our miscarriage. We were actually gearing up for an IUI cycle and were waiting for me to start my period, but instead learned I was pregnant. We were shocked! They had given us a 1-5% chance of conceiving naturally. Later we learned that any pregnancy from trying naturally would more than likely end in a miscarriage because Kyle’s sperm are unhealthy due to varicoceles. I lost our baby at 5 weeks 6 days. I struggled with understanding why God would give us something we wanted so badly and take it away 10 days after we found out. It took time and God’s word to help me realize the blessings from that miscarriage.
Q. You’re currently pregnant after going through IVF. What advice would you give to other women who are about to start the IVF process?
IVF can be very stressful emotionally and physically. Your body is in overdrive trying to make tons of eggs. I ended up with 38 at my egg retrieval. I was so uncomfortable and my body hurt, but I knew I was doing this for our possible future babies. Keep the end in mind. Your baby. It will help you get through the hard days when you don’t want to take another shot or you’re sick from the shots or your pants don’t fit because your tummy is so bloated. Even if the IVF cycle you’re in right now doesn’t take, continue to have hope. God calls us to lay our troubles at his feet and trust that He can handle it. And he can!
Q. What books, songs, websites or blogs inspired you during your struggle with infertility?
I took a Bible study through a local church called Shiloh. If you are in the Dallas area, I would highly recommend this Bible study. It is through Watermark and I have made lifelong friends in this group. Every single woman in the group has either gone through infertility or loss or both. They understand every feeling I had and even when I felt crazy sharing how I felt, numerous heads would be shaking in agreement. I loved having a group of women to form a bond with that understood me.
I also read “When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden” by Sandra Glahn. It was very helpful!
Two of my favorite songs are “Whom Shall I Fear” by Chris Tomlin and “Blessings” by Laura Story. I have them on a CD in my car and listen to them on repeat. I cry when I listen to them, every single time.
Q. Anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
Infertility is something that isn’t talked about often. I encourage you to let your story be known! I understand that some couple choose to keep things private, and that is definitely ok too, but I can also tell you as someone who has shared our story openly, I have had SO many friends come forward and share their stories as well. God says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 he will comfort us in our troubles so that we can comfort others in the same situation with the comfort we received from God. I do believe God brought Kyle and I through this to encourage others who are dealing with infertility as well.
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing your story with us. Make sure you visit Ashley’s blog and let her know you appreciate her. Also, please consider pinning the image to the right so other people can find and read her story.
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Thanks for sharing Ashley and best wishes in your pregnancy!
Great to meet you and thank you for your advice!! 38 eggs holy moly!! God bless!