1 in 8 couples experience infertility.
Here is our story. Ten years after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) while I was in college, I got married and we started trying to get pregnant right away. After a year of trying, I decided to see my gynecologist and find out what was going on.
After numerous tests, they discovered I wasn’t ovulating and that’s when I started fertility treatments.
I had horrible side effects to the first medicine and I still wasn’t ovulating. The second medicine finally helped me ovulate, but we were still having a difficult time getting pregnant.
After 3 ½ years of watching others announce their pregnancy, seeing their kids’ pictures of milestones, and being the only one in a group without a child, my doctor recommended I see a specialist. The week before my appointment, I wasn’t feeling great. My husband suggested I take a pregnancy test.
Imagine my surprise to see two lines!
After years of heartache, so many tears, longing so much to experience pregnancy, it was finally my turn!
When I was 38 weeks pregnant, my daughter’s heart stopped (that’s a topic for another day). A year later, we decided to start trying again and began fertility tests and treatments. It’s been 3 years since we said goodbye to our daughter and 2 years since we’ve been trying to get pregnant again. At 34, I’m not getting any younger.
My womb and my arms are still very empty.
I regularly cry from wanting so badly to be pregnant again, even if getting pregnant scares me more than I can express.
I continue to watch others announce their pregnancy, seeing their kids’ pictures of milestones, and being the only one in a group without a child with me.
I know I may never get pregnant again, and that hurts so much, but I still hope and pray that it will happen and one day, I’ll get to bring home my miracle (or two or three).
About the author
Angela Westbrook is the Vice President of Southern Grace Angelic GownsSouthern Grace Angelic Gowns, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that transforms donated wedding dresses into burial garments for babies who are stillborn or pass away shortly after birth
