The Invisible Pain of Infertility Redbook Article - November 2011 Issue

http://www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/dealing-with-infertility

Check out this amazing article in the newest issue of Redbook Magazine.  It's an insightful piece that all women (and men!), not just those struggling with infertility, should read.

The article is aptly titled "The invisible pain of infertility."  The first paragraph alone was enough to move me..."Chances are, someone you're close to is struggling to get pregnant, but you may never know.  Redbook's on a mission to end the shame and secrecy of infertility - and you're about to join it." Amen to that! 

Interesting facts from the article:

1) "Infertility strikes one in eight women in the United States."
2) "Sixty-one percent of couples hide their infertility from family & friends."
3) "Anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of infertility is "unexplained" as in, there's no medical answer for why..."

Another great part of the ariticle is a highlighted box titled "4 Things NEVER to say to a Friend Who's Been Trying."  I am sure that people don't know what to say when I tell them what I'm going through...I know it's not easy for them either...but this is some good advice about what NOT to say...

1) "Just relax and you'll get pregnant."
2) "If it's meant to be, you'll have a child."
3) "So, are you pregnant?"
4) "Why don't you adopt"

Read the article for reasons why these statements and questions may cause us to cringe.

They also provide "2 Things ALWAYS to say":

1) "I'm here for you."
2) "You're not alone."

A great article indeed.  Pass it along to your friends and family.  The more we talk about it, the easier it will be for all of us!

National Infertility Awareness Week: Busting Myths...Infertility does not affect the young and healthy.

Happy National Infertility Awareness Week!  What, you didn't know about it?  Well, now you do and I am counting on you to spread the word.

As part of National Infertility Awareness Week, RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, is encouraging bloggers from the infertility community to "Bust Infertility Myths."  We were challenged to answer the following question: 

"What is the biggest infertility myth and how has it affected your life or the life of your friends and family members?"

There are so many myths surrounding infertility that I wasn't quite sure which one I wanted to tackle.  After much thought, I finally settled on the myth that infertility does not affect young, healthy people. 

My whole life I have been healthy.  Probably obnoxiously healthy.  I have never had a broken bone or been sick for long periods of time.  I don't have diabetes or even allergies.  I have pretty much always eaten a healthy diet (I am a dietitian afterall) and exercise has always been a huge part of my life. 

To me, being healthy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  Eating well and exercising has kept both my physical and mental state in good shape.  I am disciplined about it (as my friends and family know), but to me it's worth it.  My belief is this: you only get ONE body, so why abuse it?  I am well aware that  fixing or replacing parts is not only painful, but expensive as well.

You would think that with this great approach to health, that I would be the least likely person to be struggling with infertility. I certainly never thought that I would be the one going through this.  I remember hearing about it happening to some friends of friends and I felt so sad for them.  Never once, did I think I would become one of them.  Now, here I am, at age 32, going through this whole experience. 

Honestly, I am frustrated.  I feel like the body I have worked so hard at taking care of has completely failed me.  Why did I bother with taking such good care of myself?  I still struggle with this one, but I know that this is a completely irrational thought.  I might be in a worse situation, had I not taken care of myself.

I honestly believe that things happen for a reason. I know that I was meant to speak up about infertility.  To be a voice and to encourage other women and men to open up and not be embarrased or ashamed.  I have learned so much through this whole process and for that I am grateful.  I have become much more patient, as now I realize I am not the one in control here.  I have taken the time to nurture myself and take care of my mental self as well as my physical self.  I believe that if I am meant to bring a baby into this world, it will happen.  And when that baby comes, it will be the ultimate blessing.

For a basic understanding of infertility: http://www.resolve.org/infertility101
The background of National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW): http://www.resolve.org/takecharge.