My Journey with Fertility Problems

My journey of dealing with my fertility problems has caused me to experience a number of emotions; nevertheless, it has been rewarding and has taught me so many lessons. Please allow me to share my story.

When I was approximately 20 years of age, I received the news that any woman dreads receiving. I was told that due to some problems with my reproductive system, as well as with my overall health, I would not be able to bear any children. Ever since I had started my period, I've always had significant problems. I've never been regular. I would sometimes have periods that would last two to three weeks, and then I would skip a month or two. But soon after my eighteenth birthday, things took a turn for the worst.

A month after I turned 18, I not only experienced pain and cramping for the first time, but the pain and cramping got worse as I got older, sometimes making it impossible to get out of bed. Along with this pain and cramping, my cycles changed significantly. I went from skipping a month or two here and there to never skipping a month. In fact, I would have two to three periods a month, and sometimes, I'd have one that would last for two to three weeks. I would have a week or less in between periods to recuperate, which is not enough time when bleeding heavily and losing quite a bit of blood.

When I couldn't stand the severe pain and cramping and the fatigue any longer, I sought medical attention. It was then that I was advised that I would not be able to bear children. Upon finding this out, my heart was broken, and my dreams were shattered. All I could think about was that I could never have the beautiful family that I planned to have.

the news haunted me for months. It tore me up inside to see moms with their precious babies. Overtime, the sadness turned into hatred towards these moms because they had something that I couldn't. It got so bad that I did everything to avoid these moms, and if I was ever asked to hold a baby, I would answer with an emphatic "No!" At that point, I did not care about how cute the baby was, and I did not care about how rude I was being. All I cared about were my feelings and how I could never have a baby of my own to love, cherish, and nurture. All I could think about was that these moms could have something that I couldn't. A couple of years later, however, my circumstances changed for the better.

Shortly after my twenty-fifth birthday, I went to see an awesome OBGYN. Not only did I get the instant feeling that we would really get along, but she told me the best thing ever. She told me that though it would be challenging, I could have children. What was even better was that she stated that she could be the one to deliver them if I wanted her to. What was also pretty neat is that we worked together to come to a solution that would help me to keep the severely painful and heavy periods at bay, which was the insertion of an IUD.

I had the IUD inserted this march because my periods were unmanageable. My last major period lasted for six weeks, and it was brutal. I took hormone therapy for a short period of time to regulate me enough to get the IUD inserted, since a woman has to be on her period when the procedure occurs. When I decide that the time is right to begin planning my family, the IUD will be removed, and I will then begin seeking assistance in getting regulated and conceiving my children. Hormone treatments and Clomid were discussed as being possible solutions to aid me in the conception process.

Through my journey, I have learned several valuable lessons. One thing I have learned is to always seek a second opinion. Never believe what one doctor says. Another thing that I learned is to never underestimate the power of prayer. Finally, I learned to appreciate the ones who love me because if it was not for their love and support, I would have never made it. It has been through my journey that I have learned to see life differently and have learned to concern myself with the things that really matter.