1 in 8

I want everyone to take a moment and look at your friends list, Instagram followers, and those that are following you on twitter, even those that are in church on Sunday.  

I want you to think about one thing.  

1 in 8 people are struggling with something that is rarely talked about; infertility.  

This week is National Infertility Week.  

Please take a moment before you ask someone about having kids and before you assume they don’t want them.  Even if they do have children that doesn’t mean that they didn’t struggle to get them, or are struggling to have another.  

Infertility comes in many different forms.  

There are pills, shots, blood work, medical treatments, ultrasounds, and countless doctor appointments. 

  The average cost of IVF plus medications is close to $18,000.  That is a price of a 2017 Honda Civic how about a Mazda3, if those aren’t your style the 2017 Hyundai Elantra that is worth $17,000 and you will still have money left over. If cars aren’t your thing you could fly round trip SIX times FIRST CLASS from Ohio to Paris and still have money left for food and hotel.  

Before you say, “Well you can adopt.”  

That won’t fix the broken heart of not carrying your own child.  

What if I said that to you about your child?  

Another thing that many people will say is the best thing I have ever heard, “Are you doing it right? Just relax and it will happen.” 

  No….just no.  

Anyone that has been in a sixth-grade sexual education class knows the dynamics of what needs to happen.  Stop saying things like this, it’s not funny, and you look like an idiot.  

One more from the aunt or grandma that tells you this, “Well put your legs in the air, that worked for me.”  Again, no.  What is going to happen will happen no matter what, plus the one thing that you are going to get for sure is a UTI.  

Welcome to infertility.  

For those that are or have been pregnant, it’s like the stranger touching your belly without you saying they could or giving you unsolicited advice on how to be a parent.  

1 in 8 people, there is no cure, only treatments and for some the dream of hearing the words, you’re pregnant congratulations, to hear that heartbeat, to feel the baby kick, to feel contractions, or to hear that first cry; will never happen.  It is personal, hurtful, and you feel broken. 

I am the face of infertility.