Each week I interview someone who has experience infertility firsthand. This week, I’m chatting with Marcia from Our Eggcellent Adventure. I really appreciate her candor in this interview, and I think her About Page is one of the most clever ones I’ve seen on an infertility blog. Enjoy!
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Marcia. Former Nanny, Infertility Survivor and First Time Stay-at-Home Mom. I recently started my blog (Our Eggcellent Adventure) to chronicle my life from before, during and after my battle with infertility.
Q. How long did you TTC and what issues were you facing?
We were TTC’ing for seven long years. We began trying about six months after we got married in 2006. A few short months later, it was discovered that I had PCOS and was going to need some help in trying to conceive. (Boy did we!) We began seeing a specialist right away. We tried Clomid, injections, meds, IUI’s and finally IVF (both Fresh and Frozen). My husband did not have any issues.
Q. How did you take of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually during your struggles?
If it was available, I tried it. I began working out to try and put my PCOS symptoms at bay and to put myself in a position to conceive better. Of course, my PCOS made that tough at times and I didn’t see much result right away. I also started Yoga, Acupuncture, Seeing a Therapist, Group Therapy and a Mind/Body Support Group. When money allowed (which we all know is sparse when doing treatments), I went for monthly massages at the local college. Through my journey, I began finding friends who were going through the same as me. I planned many get togethers with these ladies which helped in sorting out the junk in my head and also helped me in deciding my next move or learning more about treatment options.
Q. What was your lowest point and how did you survive it?
After my second miscarriage in 2010 (they were six months apart), I fell REALLY low! I began to remove myself from my friends and family. I didn’t have the energy to go out and be amongst people and I surely didn’t want to work. I called in a LOT for the first year after that. I even began to have thoughts of suicide and it was at this point that I knew I needed to get some help. This is when I found the mind/body support group. The group meditations and weekly meetings helped to slowly bring me back to who I was. I wouldn’t have survived without the help of a psychologist and the support from my infertility gals. I really owe everything to them. I also decided to leave my job as a Nanny and started to take some time for myself. Piece by Piece, I put myself back together and got ready to tackle my last treatment in August 2013.
Q. Were you able to find a “silver lining” in your infertility?
While going through treatments, no. I couldn’t imagine how something like that could happen to “good people”. I was angry. I was sad. I was lost. And I couldn’t accept (and still find it hard to) that “Everything Happens for a Reason”. Finally, in April 2014, I had my rainbow baby via IVF. She is my true one-and-only miracle and the love of my life.
Q. What advice would you give to women who are about to start their first IVF cycle?
Go into the process with a clear head. If you are still feeling anxiety or pain from a previous loss or failed treatment, you aren’t going to be able to go through the process with a positive outlook. Find a therapist or support group that can help you before, during and after your IVF treatment. Ask your RE all the questions you want. Don’t feel like you don’t have a voice in the treatment. Be your best advocate! But, also accept that you have no control and allow the process to unfold. (Sometimes easier said than done. It took me 7 years to accept that I had no control.)
Q. What made you decide to blog about your experience?
While I was struggling through my years of treatments, I followed several bloggers. It was their words that helped me at many points throughout my journey. It was them who helped me to open up about my own journey and step-by-step I began to reach others who were also going through the same. I feel that if my story helps even one person, then I have done something right and it was all worth it. I don’t ever want anyone to feel like they are walking alone through the infertility journey.
Q. Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?
You are not alone. You are not crazy. All the feelings and thoughts you are having are completely normal. Your journey may be short or long, but in the end you will find some resolve. I promise. (((Hugs)))
Many thanks to Marcia for sharing her story. Please leave her a comment below to let her know you appreciate her, and consider pinning this image so others can find her infertility story.
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