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Meet Molly!

Meet Molly Wohlk! She is from WI and blogs at Adventures of an Infertile Nanny and tweets under @infertilenanny. Read on for her inspiring story!

1.  How long did you struggle through infertility? 

My husband and I struggled with infertility for 3 years and 8 months before we finally conceived our miracle.

2.  What did you go through (as far as treatments, different doctors, adoptions agencies, etc.)?

We started TTC in Sept of 2007 with high hopes. After charting for the first few months I realized TTC for us wasn’t going to be a breeze. According to my BBT I wasn’t always ovulating and when I did my cycles were way too long. At 9 months of TTC we decided to talk to our first FS (fertility specialist). Our first Dr. promptly started us on 50 mg of Clomid (CD 5-9) and diagnosed me with unexplained infertility. On our 3rd cycle of Clomid we finally conceived. We miscarried at 5 weeks. We were devastated to say the least and took 6 months off of TTC. After being unsuccessful by ourselves we went back to our Dr. and decided to try another 3 months of Clomid (same dose/days). We failed all three cycles. Distraught and disappointed we took another break. After once again being unsuccessful on our own we decided to switch to a new Dr. to try to get some answers. After talking to our second (new) FS she was shocked to find out we never ran any tests to determine why we were having so many issues. She ordered blood tests for me and a sperm analysis for Mr. Awesome (my husband). Mr. Awesome passed his test with flying colors but I failed mine horribly. We found out I had low progesterone and LPD. She started me on 50 mg of Clomid (CD 3-7) only to discover that my progesterone wasn’t rising enough. She upped my dose to 100 mg (CD 3-7) and we found that raised my progesterone significantly. I also started going to acupuncture once a week (I highly recommend this). When I was on my 5th cycle of 100 mg Clomid I started to blog. Although everything was going great we were still unsuccessful after 6 months of clomid. My Dr. recommended a HSG. Unfortunately our insurance wouldn’t cover it so we decided to take a break and concentrate on our finances. That was in January of this year. We started Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover to get our debt under control and after lots of talking we decided to save for adoption or IUI (after my HSG). I continued to use OPKs but after not getting good results for months, I decided to take a break from everything in April. On May 21st 2011 we found out we were pregnant with our miracle. We are currently 25 weeks pregnant with a very wiggly and healthy baby we affectionately call Bean. Bean is due on Mr. Awesome and my 10 year (dating) anniversary, January 26, 2012. 

 3.  How did you handle disappointments through your cycles (natural and otherwise) or months of waiting? And 4.) What were the ‘stress-free’ techniques that you tried that helped you get through the cycle or time (yoga, meditation, acupuncture, support through family, friends & on-line, etc.)? 

I really don’t think we could have survived almost four years of infertility without the support of our family and friends. And I know I couldn’t have survived without blogging. Blogging for me was such a great way to vent and talk about what I was going through and to connect with women/families who were going through the same thing as me. Acupuncture was another great stress relief.

 5.  If you could give advice for couples going through infertility now, what would it be? 

My advice for anyone still dealing with infertility is this: hang in there and don’t give up hope, miracles happen. And as much as you hate to hear it (I know this made me want to stab people) try to relax. The month we conceived we were completely med free, no OPKs were used, and we were just enjoying life. This baby was conceived on gin/juice and romance novels while my husband and I were laughing and enjoying  each others company.

“I’m not telling you it is going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it” -unknown

“You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it” -unknown

Thanks so much Molly! Check out her blog to follow her journey into motherhood!

 

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September ICLW!

  Hello out there and welcome to my corner of the Internet! I am so excited that Fall is here and I’m looking forward to some fall foliage as I drive into Connecticut today for a family wedding. I’ve been writing this blog for nearly 2 years, shortly after my miracle twins were born via IVF. I also have a daughter who was my first IVF miracle and she is now 4 1/2. I recently wrote a memoir about my journey that I am self publishing and it will be out soon. It’s called Ordinary Miracles and I’m very excited about it!

  It’s PCOS awareness month and I’m having a  PCOS Awareness giveaway you should check out! (Not a lot of people have entered…hint, hint!) And there’s been lots of great information, success stories, and bloggers all related to PCOS this month, so stay around for a while and catch up! ;-)

  I wanted to link to another great site today for Fertility News Friday. The site has a wealth of info. Go to: Your Guide to PCOS. Happy Reading!

 P.S. I’m still looking for guest bloggers to share their experiences with PCOS. If you’re interested in writing a post for this blog this month, contact me at sfinfertility@optimum.net.  

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Today in Retrospect

This is a post I wrote last year with a few adaptations…

Three years ago today, I just had an FET the day before and was quite vulnerable since we recently had an unexpected chemical pregnancy from a fresh IVF.  But I was also hopeful because we made the drastic decision to put 3 embryos back in (as opposed to putting the usual 2 back in on the past 4 cycles) and we were confident at least one would stick and we’d give our daughter (our first IVF miracle) a sibling.  Eleven days later, we got the devastating news that none of our embryos made it. That cycle was negative as all other cycles had been that year. More down than I had ever been through my infertility, I decided to take a much needed break…all the while wondering if I would ever be a mom to more than one child….

  Two years ago I was in the hospital at this time, overwhelmed with emotion from the birth of my twins and juggling the very precarious situation of breast feeding these tiny newborns! My heart grew so much bigger and I haven’t been the same since.  I have never felt such a leap of love ever in my life as I had that day. My miracle twins were born (via an FET that followed the above mentioned 3 month break) and they completed my family. I never knew life could be so unexpected, so incredibly fulfilling. I knew I was truly blessed.

   This year, I’m about to put my 3 miracles down to bed…and as they snuggle with stuffies and dream about tomorrow, I am amazed at how much they’ve all grown. My twins turned 2 years old today and they still amaze me everyday. I still feel truly blessed. And mostly I am fully aware that had it not been for my infertility, I would not be the person I am today, a mommy of 3, or a writer of this blog…which takes me to the reason for this post…

  Sometimes you never know where a dream can take you, or how much can happen in a year, or what direction your life will go. Hold on to the belief that you will find fulfillment in one way or another. Keep hope alive, believe in miracles and someday, you will wake up to a reality that may even turn out better than your dreams.

Happy Birthday Mia and Logan!
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PCOS Success & Remembering 9/11

  I was just reading over at Keiko’s blog and she had a post I wanted to link to for Success Story Sunday. Keiko is doing a weekly “Voices of PCOS” and her first story last week was Kristin’s who blogs at Once a Mother. In her story, she details her battle with PCOS and how she adopted a low Glycemic diet (per the advice of her RE) to help in her IVF cycle. It worked and she now has adorable 6 month old twins! Check out her story to get many helpful tips (that I think I am going to look into as well) and her blog to see the cutest babies! Thanks Keiko for sharing these stories! And congratulations Kristin! ;-)

***

  Today, of course, as many of you are remembering in your own way, is a day we will never forget. We probably all remember where we were, what we were doing and how much this day, 10 years ago, changed our lives forever.

 I had just moved to Colorado and children were a blip in my future dreams as I was months away from even getting engaged. I was trying to gain some independence and job experience half way across the country but I was home sick and longing to be back in NY. When September 11th unfolded, I felt lost and afraid. I wanted to cling to my family, my friends and my future hubby but they were so far away. I didn’t know what the world would be like, how many more attacks would take place, or how much war would be in our future and that unknown was a scary place to think about when moving forward with planning a wedding and eventually children. But, I planned, moved on, and felt whole again. I felt proud to be an American and especially a New Yorker.

  Now, 10 years later, back in New York in my second home with my three children nestled in bed and my boxer snoring next to me, we’re like a typical American family complete with a white picket fence in the suburbs. Today, we remembered that day and what was lost but especially what we gained as a country. My kids are too young to understand, but some day, they will remember with us and share the stories with their own children. We will never forget.

   I’m closing with a picture I took of my hubby (future fiance at the time) as we crossed into NJ on our cross country trip to move me out west. It was taken in August of 2001 with such innocence. I was just trying to get one last shot of the beloved city. I developed my pictures a few days after September 11th and this was the first picture on top of my pile.  It stopped me in my tracks and I remember gasping in disbelief. This is a very precious picture for us today.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost loved ones 10 years ago today. They are all heroes.

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National PCOS Awareness Month!

  Wow! After six very long days, I finally have power after Hurricane Irene! Woohoo! ;-)

 OK, since September is National PCOS Awareness Month, I wanted to continue the monthly theme idea and make September everything PCOS! I would LOVE to have some guest bloggers post about experiences with PCOS and tips  on what you do and how you ease your stress and any advice you may have for others! If you’re interested, please e-mail me your post (at sfinfertility@optimum.net) and I will publish it with a link back to you (blog, FB page, Twitter, etc.) sometime this month. Also, please include a picture or two and thanks so much in advance!

  It’s Success Story Sunday! I don’t have a new story but wanted to link to past success stories that involved PCOS. So, check out Grace’s story, Sara’s story, and Alis’ story, among others who have struggled with PCOS but have been successful here. If you’ve been successful, I would love to feature your story!

  Come back soon to hear about an upcoming PCOS awareness giveaway!

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Lovin’ Lauren, Damita, and Sarah!

  So, it’s ICLW time and in case you don’t know,  I do a little thing I like to call Blog Love Mondays where I pick bloggers at random off my blogroll. So, if you’re not on my list, let me know and I’ll add you on! At this time, I usually randomly select off the ICLW list but this week, since I’m featuring furry friends for Friends Month, I started reading and commenting until I found bloggers with four legged companions! So here we go:

  

First up, I’m lovin’ Lauren from Not Just an Army Wife. She has two pups, Bella (her crazy daschund) and Murphy (her lovable corgi). Read her  ICLW post to learn more about her. And, she is now 3 days past her IUI so go wish her some luck!

  Ok, next we have Damita from Digital-Damita.net. She has 3 cats Arthur, Kit, and Onion with pictures of them on a recent wordless Wednesday post. She has been trying to look for a job at the moment, so go wish her some luck as well! In other news, she’s been trying to get pregnant for a year now and is venting about “relaxing.”

  And last but not least, we have Sarah from The Rocky Road to Motherhood. She has two cats, Poppy and Lucy who you can see in her about me page. But even more exciting than that, she is a new mom and has adorable pics of her son! And she recently found out he has a heart condition and will need open heart surgery soon, so keep him in your prayers and send good wishes along.

Go send some ICLW love!

And don’t forget to write up your posts about your fur babies/furry friends to link up on Friday! ;-)

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Success, Info for friends, and a Survey

     So, I have to admit that I’ve been dissappointed about no one linking up for a post about an IRL friend. I suppose it’s either because a) no one had time, b) no one is around/maybe vacationing, c) no one has an IRL friend that really supported them. But, that’s okay because you have a chance to redeem yourselves this week. I am 100% positive that you have made connections with virtual friends online! So, write up a quick post about one or more of them this week and link up on Friday, then you can get more readers and we can share the love!

  OK, this week, I don’t have a new success story. (If you’ve been successful, I would love to share your story! Go here for the details!) But I do have a great article I’m linking to that’s written by Ryan Jacobson who had success through adoption. It’s also a great resource to send to your friends as a piece of advice on things they can do for you. It’s just what I want to accomplish in my new book idea~(writing to the fertile world about the trials and tribulations of infertility, sort of a ‘guide’ on what to do and say and what not to do and say). And, with that in mind, I created a survey that I hope you can pass along to your fertile friends and family members. It will help me gather information for the book. Thanks so much! And don’t forget to write up those posts, honoring your virtual friends! ;-) By the way, have you taken my poll?

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Friday Friend Link-Up ~ IRL Friends

   So In Real Life (IRL), many of my friends couldn’t relate to what I was going through when I was trying to have my kids. For the most part, they got pregnant quite easily. And, when I would try to explain the stress, the devastation and the heartache, they just didn’t get it. It wasn’t until after I was successful that I learned of friends IRL that were also having some trouble. One friend I supported had her son recently after enduring miscarriages and IVFs, and I featured her story here. Another friend is also now pregnant after an IUI and grueling tests. These friends can finally understand what I went through. It is a bond we now share.

   I wish I immersed myself into the blogging world then. Perhaps I would have made virtual friends who could have become friends in real life. I know that many of you have strong support holders. Perhaps some of them have been there for you your whole life, and others have recently supported you through your plight. I would love to hear your stories!

PhotobucketSo, I decided to have a Friday-Friend-Link-Up each week this month. This week’s topic will be IRL friends. Here’s how it will work:

  • Think of a post specifically about IRL friends who have impacted you during your infertility and helped ease your stress.
  • Write it up sometime this week before Friday, August 12th.
  • Share the link with your IRL friend(s) as a way of saying thanks for all they do/did
  • Come back on Friday to link up your post so others can read your story too!
  • Link back to this blog post to spread the word! Use the picture above!

 

That’s it! It may just give you more readers and help spread some love and inspiration to others! :-)

Here’s the schedule for the remainder of the month, so get your posts ready!

Virtual Friends ~ August 19th

Furry Friends ~ August 26th

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Meet Alison!

Today, meet Alison! She blogs at A Baby I Pray. Read on for her inspiring story!

    1.  How long did you struggle through infertility? 

My husband had a vasectomy reversal in December 2006 and were told we should be pregnant by January 2007.  Needless to say that didn’t happen.  Prior to Charlie’s surgery I went through the gamut of testing to make sure there was nothing barring me from conceiving.  We started the IVF process in 2007 and had Luke on IVF cycle #5 in April of 2011.  I consider 2006 the start of our timeline when we started TTC. 

   2.  What did you go through (as far as treatments, different doctors, adoptions agencies, etc.)?

  My husband had two surgeries – reversal and sperm harvest, four fresh IVF cycles, one FET cycle, one chemical pregnancy (from FET). Pregnancy #1 with fresh cycle #2 ended in miscarriage at 10w, D&C #1 July 2009. Pregnancy #2 with fresh cycle #3 ended in miscarriage – belighted ovum discovered at 7w u/s, D&C #2 November 2009.  Genetic testing completed with D&C #2 revealed pregnancy #2 was a baby girl with trisomy #18 – “normal” chromosomal abnormality.Charlie & I both went through a battery of genetic testing to ensure there was nothing causing the repeat miscarriages, took some time off from December 2009 -June 2010, started fresh cycle #4 in July 2010.  With fresh cycle #2 our clinic was closed and we were transferred to a clinic out of state and almost 2hrs away MID CYCLE!!  Ugh!!  That was frustrating and scary and infuriating.  As it turned out we LOVED our new clinic and could do all the monitoring locally – the only travel we did was for egg retrieval and transfer (and acupuncture pre and post transfer). Our last cycle protocol was different than we had tried in the past and we had to pay 100% out of pocket.  We found out I was pregnant on a HPT I just couldn’t wait to take and it came out positive, and did the next day and the next until my beta on August 26th.  We found out we had a healthy baby boy just before Christmas and Luke Alan VanDerburgh was born April 27, 2011 at 8:24 p.m.  YYYAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   3.  How did you handle disappointments through your cycles (natural and otherwise) or months of waiting?

  Just as we were starting the IVF process I was unexpectedly laid off from work.  School budget cuts eliminated my position as the Director of School Nutrition in the school district I was working for – it was a blessing in disguise because the only thing I needed to focus on was the IVF process.  We decided as a couple that I would not look for employment during this time.  Also as a couple we did some marriage counselling to help us work through the struggles of the process.  I also worked individually with a therapist to help me relieve stress of the process.  Through the first cycle I started my blog to help journal the process and try to connect with others going through the same thing – no one in my personal life could really understand infertility let alone the IVF process.  My husband and I also worked with our pastor and relied on our faith to deepen our relationship with each other and our higher power – also it helped to let go of the need for control you want to have throughout this process.

    4.  What were the ‘stress-free’ techniques that you tried that helped you get through the cycle or time (yoga, meditation, acupuncture, support through family, friends & on-line, etc.)? 

Oh my goodness, I feel like I have tried everything, lol  :-)   As I stated above, Charlie & I worked together and individually with therapists (a HUGE help), I have struggled with depression and anxiety throughout my 20′s. I wanted more than medication so I took a class (for lack of a better term) on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Way Through Depression & Anxiety – this was AMAZING and I would recommend it to anyone regardless of history of depression/anxiety. Through that class I learned how to practice meditation and still practice to this day.I went to polarity therapy and worked with an ayurvedic practitioner for health and well-being and herbal support. I sought out an acupuncture practice that worked with infertility patients – this was/is amazing and if you find a practitioner who really studied and understands infertility it is invaluable. I took yoga from an instructor that was also a polarity therapist – focused more on the mind-body-spirit relationships/connection rather than fitness only and I loved every minute of it! I found family was only so helpful as some aren’t, nor really want to be educated about reproduction much less infertility.I found that my blog was a way to keep those family members who really were interested in the process but didn’t “want to intrude” by asking me how things were going or just to keep them involved without calling me daily, my friends were AMAZING and I am so glad I had each of them surrounding me with love through this.  I did join ivillage’s IVF group but I found it really ramped up my anxiety – sometimes there is just too much info/opinions out there.  I don’t feel the group was negative in any way just that it wasn’t a good fit for me personally.  And other IVF world bloggers were an AMAZING support, reading other success stories or other stories/experiences that were mirroring mine were tremendously helpful.

   5.  If you could give advice for couples going through infertility now, what would it be? 

 1) Be kind to yourself and your spouse.  2) Therapy is a tremendous tool – use it and open your mind. 3) OPEN YOUR MIND!!  What you traditionally thought you’d never try might just be something you enjoy or find helpful to your well being.  4)  Faith in a higher power will help you surrender the need to control every treatment, procedure, result, etc. – faith in a higher power through whatever religion or combination of religions you choose!  I am a christian by upbringing (and choice) but also feel a very strong connection to Buddhism – I take what I connect with from whatever religion and work it into my life.  5)  Ask for help from whomever you feel may be able to help you – financially, emotionally, spiritually – friends, family, community.  

       
 
Thank you Alison!
Alison is on Facebook as Alison Wilder VanDerburgh and you can also follow her blog to follow her journey!
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An Amazing Video! Adoption Success!

  So, while I was reading up on Baby Hopes blog Chasing Our Stork, who recently graced us with 2 guest posts, I stumbled on this amazing video that had me in tears! And since I didn’t officially have a success story today, and it is adoption related for our topic of the month, I wanted to repost it here! Grab a tissue and enjoy! What a beautiful story!

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