Hello! This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. This is a thread for all of us to share resources, posts we've made to social, or any additional ideas to help to spread awareness.
To open it up,
Resolve.org has a variety of resources, including images specific to this year's #NIAW and ideas for how to help spread awareness. Over on the IF board, in 2016, a number of the members there made their own memes, and I thought would be worth linking to --->
https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12672526/memes-for-national-infertility-awareness-week-april-24-30Feel free to share any additional resources, examples of posts that you have made, or anything else that might help anyone wanting to encourage awareness be able to do so, including creating your own meme!
*NOTE* Please abide by the board rules & TB's rules when posting to this thread.
Re: #NIAW April 21-27, 2019
ETA @kagesstarshroom I can't get that link to open, it tries to get me to start a new discussion instead!
This is what I posted on my Facebook page. I’m pretty open about our struggles and losses so when this week comes or October comes around, I usually post about it. So far Ibe had 2 other women respond sharing their struggles as well.
Edit for words
I've had a few women reach out as well so I'm glad it's encouraging them to share!
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
@kbrown2385Your post's opening quotes are so good, so attention capturing because of how REAL they are.
@chichiphin I get that! I felt the same way--I really want to be open/more open about my losses-- but I don't want to on facebook. [ETA: When you are ready, you will be ready. For now, you can just post to spread awareness, or I respect your choice not to if you decide not to entirely.] I still wanted to post though, so I did. I geared my post more towards general awareness, and chose some details that were relevant to me, but didn't explicitly share about my loss. (I am also "on the market," and I hope this post gets a lot of love--but I kept it vague/more about awareness bc potential employers could (illegally, but there's little protection from this) choose not to hire me if they knew we were trying.)
Here's what I posted to fb & I used the NIAW image from resolve.org above (in a spoiler bc it's hhhuuggggeee). My opening line may seem a bit weird bc I mention people who don't want to have kids alongside those who have trouble, but I think it works for a number of reasons I don't really feel are worth getting into here. *My post is in a spoiler/gets aTW bc it mentions loss.*
I want to share a good resource of dos & donts for friends & family of those who may be suffering with infertility issues, which includes a list of (busted) myths about fertility & infertility --> https://resolve.org/support/for-friends-and-family/
As health classes in America woefully under-educate us on the many things the female body could possibly go through, I encourage everyone to take a minute to learn more about some of the issues NIAW is meant to bring attention to. We aren't trained to know the intricacies of what our bodies are capable of, so it makes sense that the general public isn't trained on how to react to the variety of things that could happen to us during our lifetimes, and especially when during when we are of child-bearing age.
1 in 8 couples encounter problems trying to conceive. Anywhere between 15-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Know the facts, and don't say or do anything that could re-traumatize someone who might already be going through something difficult.
Bravo to those who are able to be open about the issues they have had in trying to conceive. Sharing those stories can be crucial to others who have gone through something similarly difficult. At the same time, my heart also is with those who may have trouble sharing because of how painful it is or that they don't want to be pitied or felt sorry for. Share what you can, when you want to with whom you feel comfortable sharing if this is something you have gone through. Awareness is the most important part of NIAW, and I hope more of you feel better aware of some of these issues or at least how/why to learn more about them because of this post.
I shared this on Facebook with a simple 💜 and it’s been ‘liked’ and reshared quite a few times.
Its a general TW of course.
https://www.todaysparent.com/getting-pregnant/when-your-friend-cant-get-pregnant/
Here is what I plan to post today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me 34 DH 34
PCOS
Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
FWIW, when I finally did post about our struggles during NIAW last year, it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I had been very open about our IF with friends and family before that, but it felt so amazing to get it out there; and I got so much incredible support from so many people. Some commented that they went through something similar and others sent me a PM.
I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to post this year, but I am definitely going to put something together.
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Married 6/11/16
TTC Since 6/2016
12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal
3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve
8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC
7/2018 Clomid+IUI
11/2018 Letrozole+TI
12/2018 Letrozole+IUI
2/2019 NTNP
5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
i feel you. Tw in spoiler. LC mentioned.
@inthewoods23 you have to do what’s comfortable for you guys! Don’t do it unless you’re totally ready ❤️
ETA several people came up to me at the gym this morning to say they saw my post and appreciated it. I wasn’t looking for attention when I posted by any means, more just to be like “hey some people actually struggle with this”.
For those of you who are hesitant, it is YOUR choice whether to share or not and/or how much to share. I never shared about my first MC, and only started posting after my second. I 'announced' my PG by announcing my second MC. I understand all the feels/anxiety because I was on pins and needles about posting. I wanted to tell my story and raise awareness, but I was terrified of all the "God's plan" "just try again" "just relax" "Well, at least you know you can get PG" comments. But honestly, like lulu1180 said, the weight that came off of my shoulders was amazing. The outpouring of support I received was awesome, and a lot of people even privately messaged me about it as well (most to privately share their stories and be able to reach out to someone).
After that I did NOT post about my 3rd MC, but I did post after the 4th, and have been posting regularly since that time. Sometimes I post about how holidays are hard, or I post about 'what to say/not to say for MC/IF' or just articles about including IVF on insurance plans. Once in a while I get a hurtful statement, but I've also had some others jump in to comment back to them. Overall, I feel good about advocating for myself, for my non-living babies, and for the struggles of myself and others with RPL and/or IF.
In case it would help anyone struggling about how to post their MC on social media....This was my first ever FB post about MC/IF:
Not all pregnancy announcements are happy ones...
It is with a grieving heart that I announce that DH and I are saying goodbye to our second angel baby. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated, and we hope to one day have our rainbow baby.
My miscarriages have profoundly changed me. I never knew how quickly a mother could bond with her baby in just a few short weeks. Sometimes daily reminders trigger unexpected emotions. I just want everyone to know that I will be ok, and to not worry if I suddenly break out crying. But I wanted to announce this because miscarriages are life altering and I will not let stigma silence me and what I am feeling and going through.
your post from that time is beautiful. I'm so sorry friend. I think come October I'll be ready to share my journey....
married 11.1.14
ttc #1 since 5.18
bfp 12.22.18 letrozole + progesterone
d&e due to trisomy 13/hydrops at 15wks
bfp 7.21.19 letrozole + IUI
little girl A born 3.26.20
And then I remembered today is my birthday so I'm probably going to be receiving some birthday wishes by phone and do not want to end up talking about it so I will post tomorrow morning. Plus then I won't have any awkward moments at work since I'm out of town starting tomorrow. This post is going to be so much smaller than I originally planned. But it felt like I would be walking around naked in public.
Funny how I can be so open and honest with complete strangers on the internet but so private with people I really know.
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
ETA Oh and btw, happy birthday!!
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Married 6/11/16
TTC Since 6/2016
12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal
3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve
8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC
7/2018 Clomid+IUI
11/2018 Letrozole+TI
12/2018 Letrozole+IUI
2/2019 NTNP
5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
inthewoods23 I completely understand. It's hard to put something out there that is so personal and so emotional. You post when (and if) you are ready to do so. Until then, internet strangers that understand will be here for you!!!
@dpchickens thank you for sharing that ❤️
Edit wasnt finished
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me 34 DH 34
PCOS
Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
EDIT: *TW* Mention of LC
---
---
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Married 6/11/16
TTC Since 6/2016
12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal
3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve
8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC
7/2018 Clomid+IUI
11/2018 Letrozole+TI
12/2018 Letrozole+IUI
2/2019 NTNP
5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
https://www.facebook.com/pg/hollyspictures/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2097816036981005
"It's time to try defying gravity."
Married 6/11/16
TTC Since 6/2016
12/2016 RE appt; 1/2017 SA & HSG results - all normal
3/2017 Dx Hyperprolactinemia; 5/2017 Prolactin levels normal; 8/2017 Low Ovarian Reserve
8/2017 TTA for personal reasons; 10/2017 NTNP; 12/2017 Re-start TTC
7/2018 Clomid+IUI
11/2018 Letrozole+TI
12/2018 Letrozole+IUI
2/2019 NTNP
5/2019 Stopping all TTC efforts; living Childfree
Next month there is a birthday party for my grandpa and I'm really hoping nobody asks me too many questions! We'll tackle that when we get there.
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
@inthewoods23 I’m glad you were able to post
I found this in my memories this morning. I posted it last year and thought I’d share. Heads up...it’s long.
This post is difficult for me. It’s not a pity post, nor am I looking for sympathy. I think this side of infertility needs to be shared the most. This is the hardest part for couples going through infertility.