Infertility Warrior

If Fertility Procedures Are Less In Demand, Have The Costs Lowered Too?

2012-01-17T05:59:00.000-08:00

With the bad economy I have read that less people are trying to have babies and many are unable to attempt IVFs and other costly fertility procedures. What I haven't heard is that these costs are going down. Anyone that has researched knows that the Fertility Business is very lucrative - just look at what an IVF, FET, or Donor Egg Cycle costs overseas compared to here - so is anyone in the US lowering their prices?

You Got Your Sperm Where - Newsweek Article

2011-10-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

How could I not read an article that blazed across last weeks Newsweek "You Got Your Sperm Where?" My first impression was "yuk" - fresh sperm from a stranger. Come to think of it, I guess my second impression is also yuk.

As a professional sperm shopper (should I add that to my resume?) I have always preferred the frozen kind. In the end it's the frozen kind that helped bring my miracle to life. The fresh kind never did me any good on the baby quest, but that's a different story. Anyway, above all to each his own and I get that frozen sperm is expensive BUT when you are trying to produce a child isn't quality and safety the priority?

New Colors - The Infertility Awareness Symbol

2011-10-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

The original and unique Infertility Awareness Symbol has been changed to feature a pink and blue gradient tone. After many suggestions through the years, I am happy to introduce the new and improved symbol. As was my original intent, my hope is that this symbol will be our 'pink ribbon' in the fight for awareness, compassion, and understanding of infertility.

Products featuring this design can be found at Cafe Press or Fertility Hope, LLC

Sperm Donor Documentary on Style Network

2011-10-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Last week my sister called to tell me a documentary special was airing about the children of sperm donors. Through the Donor Sibling Registry two half sisters had met - I loved these two young women connecting and it warmed my heart. From what the sperm bank told me, my son has around 12 half siblings out there.

I watched with trepidation though when a sperm donor met two of his offspring that were under the age of 10 born to a single woman. He seemed like a great guy and understandably his fiance was not too happy about the whole situation of him wanting to meet his offspring (apparently over 70 kids in total.) What I did like is no one ever referred to him as "father" in any context (ie donor dad, biological father, etc.) - I hate when people ask me about my son's "Dad". My son has a nice man that was his donor. Someday he may have a dad/father but right now he does not.

What I didn't like was how confused the underage kids that met the donor were. They had fantasies that the mom was going to marry the donor and after they met him they talked about seeing him again. For my son I chose an open id donor which means that when my son is 18 he will have the option to have some kind of contact (letter, phone, email, maybe meet.) I thought it was important that he have that option. However, an eighteen year old is much better equipped to get the concept of a donor than a child is and watching this show confirmed this for me. If anyone watched it and has any thoughts to share I would love to hear some comments.

What Happens to a Woman's Fertility After 40?

2011-09-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Glad there is some coverage but it would be nice if SELF Magazine gave more information than this article. Good for the clueless, this doesn't help anyone dealing with infertility now. I read this and went "DUH."

Let's see more first hand stories . . . hello Self Magazine - call me!

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/womens-health/what-happens-womans-fertility-after-40

Payback Is a Bi$@%

2011-08-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

This attorney treated me so rudely a couple years ago when I contacted her about a frozen embryo custody issue I was (and am) involved with my ex. Now I know why she had no interest she was too busy working a scam to sell babies and making tons of money.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-baby-ring-20110814,0,3021399.story

What goes around comes around and it's just nice when we see it.

The Baby Chase by Holly Finn

2011-07-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you Holly Finn for such an honest, and witty portayal of what it is like to be a single woman in her 40's undergoing the brutal battle of infertility (http://byliner.com/originals/the-baby-chase).

Any woman that has fought the good fight of infertility will see themselves in Holly's story but as importantly anyone that is not infertile will get a glimpse of what it is like. As an advocate of Infertility Awareness this is a 30 page mini book that will help to create validation, awareness and compassion and that in itself will help the millions that battle infertility

Why Did Oprah Ignore Infertile Women?

2011-06-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

I loyally watched Oprah and like millions of others, liked and respected her. Over the years I have had my share of "aha moments" but the one thing that always bothered me is her absolute lack of empathy and support for women suffering from infertility. She is such a champion for people struggling with addictions to food and drugs - valid struggles yet ones that people have much more control over than infertility. How many times did she litarally applaud and cheer women who lost weight? Hundreds, probably thousands of time, but on the rare occasion someone would bring up infertility or miscarriage, it was glossed over. She often said that motherhood was the toughest job in the world - certainly validating mothers. The few times I ever even heard infertility mentioned was when celebrities shared their stories (Holly Robinson Peete, Alexis Stewart, Celine Dion) and you could tell she had no interest in that part of their journey. I had never seen her as obviously judgemental and downright mean as she was when the "Octomom" was on her show to discuss her financial issues. While watching her behind the scenes show I noted how even her own producers thought she was 'harsh' with Nadja Suleman. Hey, I am not a fan of Octomom, but what is done is done and the bottom line is the woman is a human, not a monster and having Oprah be mean to you when you feel overwhelmed and bad was just disturbing to watch. Oprah was a bully to that woman. Disappointing, especially from a woman who made the following beautiful comment during her last show. "Everyone simply wants to be heard, to be validated. No matter the caliber of person, people want to know, 'I see you; I hear you, and what you say matters to me." My personal theory is her aversion has something to do with her molestation and resulting pregnancy at the age of 13 which was without uestion a horrible ordeal to live through and left an emotional scar.

Almost three years ago samples of all my pendants were requested by the Oprah magazine accessories editor. I overnighted them all and followed up dutifully. I thought that finally I would be blessed by Oprah's golden touch. Many follow up letters, calls, and e-mails later and nothing has happened (yet.) I can't help but wonder if this has something to do with an overall company dismissal of the issue of infertility. My hope is that whomever fills her space on daytime TV will give time and validation to the subject of infertility and it's warriors. After 5+ years and 13 procedures I gave birht to an amazing son, but I will always be an Infertile and my ordeal left an emotional scar that will never completely fad. I wear it as a badge of honor and I don't want to forget my journey to motherhood. Women suffering from infertility want to be heard, to be validated because this journey matters to us.

Meet Smumzie the Infertility Ninja

2010-03-17T19:23:00.001-07:00

Do you remember that sensation when you are talking to someone new and the conversation is just bubbling because you share so many common views and you are thinking "this person is really smart and funny and cool!" That is how I felt when I started reading the blog by Smumzie
This woman is on her 20th cycle (yeah, I know, totally a I bow to you "I'm not worthy" moment.) Let that sink in for a moment. So that is admirable, but what makes her blog so freakin' cool is that she is a great writer and her recent post where she describes a cycle in the terms of gambling at a casino is brilliant.
She has also covered some celebrity and TV stuff that I have, but puts a really snarky, Kathy Griffin spin to it. Love It!!! Check out her blog at: http://smumziesplace.wordpress.com/

Giuliana and Bill Rancic Open About Their Infertility Battle

2010-03-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Infertility is a club no one joins by choice. The shame, stigma, and misunderstanding from this rollercoaster adds a great deal of heartache to the emotional, physical, and financial pain.
Some celebs have been open about their struggle - thank you Celine Dion - but many have not and sadly this secrecy does not help the awareness and understanding. This is why I am sending a big THANK YOU to Giuliana and Bill Rancic for being so open on their new show, Giuliana & Bill, on the Style network. They have shown doctor's visits, a diagnostic procedure along with discussions about their hopes and fears - so real!

On last night's show they took us on the journey of the aftermath of an unsuccessful injectible IUI cycle. Their doctor suggested IVF which they discussed on the show.

The best part of this show is they mix good humor with real emotion and excellent information - extremely rare when it comes to infertility on television. The two of them both talk about what they are doing and why in a way that would be educational to someone not familiar with infertility.

They are such a cute couple that although I wish they didn't have to go through it, they are doing a lot of good sharing their struggle. It took 5 years, a broken engagement, and 13 procedures for my miracle to arrive and everytime I look at my beautiful boy I know it was worth it all. Best of luck Giuliana and Bill - you will make great parents some how, some way, some day!!

When A Warrior Becomes A Mom

2010-02-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

For any of you that have checked out the About page from http://www.lifemedals.com/ and/or watched the video piece on me, this is old news. For those of you that haven't . . . after 5 years and 13 procedures I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy late last year!! I didn't share this on the blog for a couple reasons: 1. After going through so much disappointment, I almost couldn't believe it and didn't want to 'jinx' my miracle. 2. This blog is intended to be a powerful advocate for women going through infertility and sometimes learning of pregnancies can hurt. So I waited.
Becoming a mom after infertility. For me it was an incredible gift, absolute magic. I loved every step, although I had some scary weeks in the beginning and most of the discomfort that pregnant women endure, it was totally overshadowed by my gratefulness of the miracle that was happening to me. The birth was not easy, but I soldiered through with only a little pain medication and within an hour of giving birth my sister asked if I would do it again and I replied "absolutely."
Certainly, the circumstance was not how I had always dreamed it would be. I am single and often wondered wistfully what it would have been like to have shared this with a man I loved. Sometimes that was very hard, my heart hurt, but I never regretted my choice - never. Financially the stress is intense as I still work to get publicity for Life Medals, but I hope that it will turn around some how, some day soon (hey anyone know Oprah??) Of course, I will do whatever it takes to provide for my little guy.
For all of you that are still fighting I will tell you with no hesitation that all the heartache, physical pain, financial pain, etc - it was worth it all. My son was worth the effort and worth the wait and he is my living, cooing, smiling lesson every day to NEVER GIVE UP!

Article In Curve Magazine

2010-02-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to be featured in an article in the January 2010 issue of Curve Magazine entitled "Five Tips To Fight Infertility - The Infertility Warrior shares her top strategies"
Although I am straight, I remember breaking down while watching Rosie O'Donnell's documentary on her gay family cruises because I felt such a kinship with gay women and men that want to start a family. I realized that as an infertile woman I had much more in common with their obstacles than with straight men and women that easily conceived. I watched as two women got "the call" to tell them their last procedure didn't work and I cried with them, knowing that moment all too well.

As I have said before, just because it is more difficult for some of us to become parents doesn't mean we shouldn't be.

Book Review - Do You Love Someone Who Is Infertile?

2010-02-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

If you have read my blog you will know how fierce my attitude is about changing the way society thinks of infertility. My work will not be done until Infertility is reframed into an admirable fight - removing the shame and stigma that makes an already heartbreaking ordeal into plain torture at times. RAISING AWARENESS that will result in understanding and compassion. I have found two women that share that goal . . .
Recently I received a copy of a guidebook called "Do You Love Someone Who Is Infertile?" and I gobbled it up! It is hard to explain how validating this book was to my experience and I would imagine millions of other women. Great to read for yourself, but an excellent hand out for your husband/partner, mother/mother-in-law, and sisters/close friends. (In my utopia it would be required reading for every fertility doctor!) Even if they skim and read parts of it, I do believe it will help them 'get it' a bit more and show them that YOU ARE NOT CRAZY or "milking it" or "overreacting." I loved how the book talked about how infertility changes you, shapes who you are, forever.
The book explains in simple language why infertility often hits women so much harder than it hits men. Were most men playing mommy and nurturing their dolls when they were young? Maybe some, but most were playing with cars, balls, and wrestling each other. I LOVED how they addressed the "Gift of Anger" and how it was healthy - which you know I believe in because of the Infertility Warrior and her strong, fierce, determined stance.
The book is available on Amazon, but the best place to get your copy is at The Stewart Institute For Infertility where they have lots of information. The writers have the credentials - Shari DeGraff Stewart struggled with infertility and is a therapist, her co-author, Julia Fichtner Krahm is her close friend that although 'fertile' was by her friend's side all the way and worked hard to understand and support her during her many years of struggle. In other words she "got it."
The Stewart Institute is currently offering free shipping for this book and plans on coming out with others to address the emotional side of infertility. I encourage everyone in this infertility fight to get this book. At 55 pages and $12.95 it is affordable and not overwhelming to suggest a loved one read it. I have not seen anything out there that rang as true as this book did - seriously, check out Do You Love Someone Who Is Infertile? or put it on your holiday wish list (a good way to get it in your hands as well as the person who buys it for you!!)

Fertility Supplements

2009-10-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

Like many of you, on my pursuit to motherhood I have used every tool I heard about to increase the chances for success. From adopting an asian fertility food plan with lots of greens, rice, vegetables and nothing fun like junk food, wheat, or dairy (which is a BIG deal for a cheesehead like me!) to accupuncture, hypnofertility, wearing only fertility friendly colors, prayers, meditation, crystals, herbs, special yoga and accupressure - you name it, I have done it. These were "supplements" to the 13 infertility procedures (medicated IUIs, IVFs, FET.) What are some of your creative enhancements to your fertility??
One of the more sensible tools that I used and continue to use can be found at Fairhaven Health with their Fertil-Aid supplements for Women and Men. For anyone out there that have supplemented their regular vitamins to make them more TTC friendly, Fertil-Aid has it all in there - easy! They also have some other supplements to enhance your efforts. Are supplements the key to becoming pregnant? Well, who knows, so if you are looking for anything and everything that will help, these are worth a try.
I'll keep taking my vitamins, while feverently hoping scientists find that Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream Ruffles and Cherry Garcia Ice Cream is actually the holy grail for infertility!

Celebrity Look A Like Sperm

2009-10-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

I know a little something about sperm shopping. Although there was always some bitter-sweetness about it, there was a part that really was fun and exciting. After all, when you are dating, hoping to fall in love, you can't be quite as picky and of course the man has to be really into you too! There is a type of power and control that, I imagine, is similar to what a very wealthy man might feel when searching for 'love.'
So, I had to smile when I saw that my old friends with California Cryobank came up with a tool for sperm shopping that would give you an overall idea of which celebrity (they claim over 400) the sperm donor looks like. http://www.cryobank.com/Donor-Search/Look-A-Likes/
Now, for me, the facial feature report was always invaluable since an overall look of a celebrity is subjective (for instance you might end up with an overall "George Clooney" with a Jay Leno chin.)
In my opinion, the ultimate in sperm shopping was Xytex which offers baby and adult pictures for many of their donors. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words!

PGD Testing

2009-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Fertility Method for Older Women Spawns Doubts (WSJ)
"Evidence Fails to Support Use of Popular Technique for Screening Embryos" July 1, 2009 Wall Street Journal
For more than a decade women, especially older women have been advised to spend THOUSANDS of extra dollars during their expensive IVF cycles to screen their embryos for potential problems. The theory is that you just transfer back the 'healthy' embryos, thereby getting higher live birth rates. For anyone considering PGD or PGS (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis or pre-implantation genetic screening) read the Wall Street Journal article.
With my IVFs I chose not to use PGD, although during a consultation with a doctor in California (I'll call him Dr. Z) I was urged quite strongly to use it. In fact when setting the expensive consult appointment with his nurse she had brought it up. I told her I was not interested after speaking to other doctors and doing my research. It just didn't pass my gut-check and I felt that manipulating a dividing cells that early on could be harmful. So the minute I sat down with Dr. Z he lit in on what I (as a professional salesperson) can only describe as a 'hard pitch' on why I absolutely needed to use PGD at $2,500 or $5,000 extra cost - out of pocket. In fact, I don't remember us talking about much other than that because he seemed disappointed or miffed that I wasn't convinced.
Needless to say I didn't like the Dr. Z vibe and continued my search. In the meantime I took a closer look at his clinics success rates and found and dramatic correlation between his clinic using PGD and his increasingly poor live birth outcomes. Yes, there was no denying it - the CDC reports showed his very worst live birth outcome was the last reported year in which he used PGD on 80% of his IVF procedures!
Infertility can be a money minefield, so never forget that it is a BUSINESS and there are wonderful clinics out there but some that are greedy or perhaps just motivated to use us as guinea pigs for their new science experiments.
Keep fighting the good fight warriors and some how, some day, some way, you will have your baby!

AND, for all of my posts, please visit me at www.infertilitywarrior.com

Everything Conceivable (book review)

2009-06-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

What a fascinating book "Everything Conceivable" by Liza Mundy is for anyone that has been involved with Assisted Reproductive Technology (A.R.T.) The subtitle is How Assisted Reproduction is Changing Our World.

This book takes you on a tour of the beginnings of ART - first documented in the late 1800's with a woman unknowingly was artificially inseminated by a doctor (and intern donor) after the woman's husband admitted he was sterile due to a venereal disease he had contracted. Apparently to her dying day she thought that the baby she had was biologically her husbands - yikes!

Thankfully we women are super empowered these days with technology and information. Why the pioneers of In Vitro were not given a Nobel Peace Prize is unbelievable to me after I read just how difficult this procedure was to figure out - both retrieving the eggs and perfecting a culture for the embryos to thrive in.
She not only talks about the technology, but also about the ethical considerations and real life perspectives. I loved that she brought up the fact that many celebrity moms that are "older" and who benefit from the publicity of their pregnancy and newborn(s) usually leave out the pesky detail of having had help from IVF and/or dnoor eggs. It is a real problem that perpetuates the notion that women in their mid to late 40's are using their own eggs to have babies - overwhelmingly they are not.
The book talks about an ethical issue that is near an dear to my heart - frozen embryos. I have 4 from when I was 39 that are in essense, being held hostage by my ex in a lab in California until he finds he has a heart or a judge orders him to relinquish them as he had agreed to when they were created. As Celine Dion has said of her frozen embryo "This frozen embryo that is in New York is my child waiting to be brought to life."

Why infertile women have different reproductive "right to choose" after conception is something I will never understand. In what other circumstance, after conception, does a man get to choose what happens to the life he helped create? No where. No woman 3 days after conception would be forced to take a morning after pill. Apparently as an infertile, our 'right to choose' starts after implantation - at least according to current case law. But I digress . . .

Everything Conceivable is for anyone that wants to know how the infertility business works behind the scenes and how it is truly changing our world. The Fertility Hope pendant and my company Life Medals Message Jewelry was inspired by my struggle and this book gave me a whole new appreciation and understanding of the world I have joined.

For my most recent posts please visit me at my permanent Blog Home - www.infertilitywarrior.com

Infertility Resources at Life Medals

2009-06-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, I encourage all women (and men) dealing with infertility to take advantage of the resources I have posted on the Fertility Hope page of Life Medals. If you scroll to the bottom you will see Infertility Links which not only has some great links but also some PDF files that I wished I had when I started out on the battle.

One thing I could never find, even after speaking to several people at Resolve (I am not impressed!!), was a bullet-pointed Infertility Fast Fact Page that I could share with friends and family. We really can't expect some people to read pages and pages of long paragraphs to get a basic understanding of the scope of infertility, so when I couldn't find it, I created it (includes footnotes.)

Did you know that NO ONE KEEPS TRACK OF HOW MANY IUIS ARE PERFORMED IN THE US????? I checked with the ASRM, CDC, Resolve (what a waste), and other organizations and they aren't tracked. Don't you wonder how many IUIs are being performed? Let alone how many injectable and clomid timed intercourse cyles are happening each year.

Would it help you if we "infertiles" had our own symbol? Learn about the Infertility Awareness Symbol!

Why the Octo Mom May Be Good For Infertiles

2009-02-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

I know the "Octo-Mom" has gotten tremendous negative press here in the US (and I have not hid my feelings either), but I want to offer the idea that her story may actually help those suffering with infertiles in the long run. Here's why:

Overall Awareness. Information is power and this story has opened up dialogue in such an extreme case that it is relatively safe for us "in the know" to offer our expertise about infertility, fertility drugs, and procedures. We can be open with people and educate them and since Octo-Mom is so extreme any of our attempts pale in comarison for any people that are judgemental. "We" must seem normal and our desire to have a baby or two easy to understand in comparison.

Insurance & Regulations. For us run-of-the-mill infertiles having the spotlight on infertility and looking at regulations may be a good thing. It is just insane in my opinion that a young woman who has been so ultra successful at IVF would have so many embryos transferred. At 39 the most the doctor would transfer in me was 4 (resulting in a BFN.) Perhaps if there were more regulations, insurance would be more inclined to cover this medical disability. It is unfair that someone who chooses to smoke or do other obviously unhealthy activities enjoy covered treatment from the resulting illnesses when we infertiles who through the 'luck of the draw' have a fertility issue do not have coverage to help our disability. (I realize Resolve calls infertility a disease, but I do not like that description - more about that later.)

I am sure there are other silver linings that will appear from this story and if you know me, you know I am ALL about finding the silver lining amongst the clouds. What do you think? What are the positives that can come from this media circus???

My Friend The Bathroom Floor

2009-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about this post for a long time, because I wonder how many other infertile women have found comfort by the cold embrace of their bathroom floors. Too many times during my battle with infertility my knees would buckle and I would lie sobbing (often ironically in a fetal position) on the bathroom floor. Most of these times were spent at my ex's house (it was always 'his' house as he wouldn't let me move in until a BFP, but that's another story.) It was a big, bright, beautiful bathroom with fancy traventine marble floors. Strange how familiar I became with that floor over the years of trying to conceive. Whether it was a neg. test, the start of my period, the confirmation that I had 'failed' yet again, the floor became my companion, my friend, the only one I could hold on to, to cling to as I sobbed. Never judging, never uncomfortable at the intensity of my grief, never telling me to stop, never telling me how difficult it was for them, just a solid support for as long as I needed. A reliable, consistent, trusted friend who has always been there for me, the bathroom floor.

Why are Fertiles so Stupid?

2009-01-29T17:54:00.000-08:00

The California Octuplets are in the news. The medical staff thought that there were 7 babies in utero, but wait, there was one more hiding. I wish each and every one of those little angels a loving, healthy, wonderful life.

Has anyone else noticed people in the media speculating that fertility treatments were involved. WTF!?!? No shit, you freaking idiots. I am not a medical professional, but I am quite sure that the chances of having 8 eggs ovulate and all get fertilized would be tantamount to a virgin birth. On The View, Joy Behar, said in a kind of aside, "hmmm I wonder tone" if IVF was involved. Thank goodness Sheri Shepherd, who went through IVF, cleared that up by saying probably fertility drugs, but not IVF.

I can only imagine how good IVF professionals are steaming over the avalanche of such ignorant speculation. Fertiles are so unbelievable STUPID and IGNORANT when it comes to fertility - even people with advanced degrees.

I'll never forget my ex-fiance, a successful business attorney in Southern California, looking at me after a segment that ran on 60 minutes about infertility in wonderment when he asked "You mean you can't get pregnant at anytime? You just have a couple days a month?" This is a man who was conceited about how smart he was, boasting that he was smarter than anyone he knew and he was a complete moron about reproduction. A 45 year old with an advanced degree that knew as much about reproduction as a 10 year old boy. I should have known then . . . .
Anyway, today while discussing the octuplets a 30 year old friend who is getting married soon (and will start having kids right away) basically asked the same thing after I was explaining the infertility birds and bees to her. "So how many days can you get pregnant in a month?" I then went on to explain just basic fertility facts to her - egg shelf life, sperm shelf life, etc.

I understand ignorance is bliss and God knows I haven't known bliss in an awful long time, but I am astonished at the depth of ignorance surrounding infertility. No wonder people feel so blindsided when the evils of infertility enters their world. Our mission to spread Infertility Awareness is apparently just beginning and desperately needed!

I think laughing at Fertiles being so damn stupid about reproduction is fair game for us. We deserve to be smug about SOMETHING!!!!! What are some of the stupid comments from Fertiles that you've heard?????

Why A Warrior?

2008-12-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Many infertile women and couples go into treatments expecting their problem to be quickly resolved. In some cases they get lucky and on the first or second procedure they are pregnant. Terrific! For too many people the first IUI or IVF is just the first step of the infertility journey and unrealistic expectations make the Big Fat Negative (BFN) results much harder.

I wish all doctors would fess up (I am sure some do) and say, "This may be a sprint, but be prepared for a marathon." I will never forget the first Reproductive Endricronologist telling me after my second failed IVF that the first one really didn't "count" because in retrospect he did my first egg retrieval a day too early. Had he known then how many eggs I would produce he would have waited another day. On my first IVF I had 4 mature eggs and on my second I had 18. Thanks Doc, somehow that first IVF seemed to count - in dollars!

So why a 'warrior?' A warrior is laser focused on her goal, tenacious, willing to do whatever it takes, and knows that no one (not even her doctor or partner) wants her to become a mother as much as she does. Resilient, defiant, and outspoken. She did not choose this fight, this fight chose her.

A warrior thinks for herself, does not hesitate to question her doctor, get second opinions, or even change doctors. A warrior does not quit, she does not give up. She may change strategies (procedures, donor egg/sperm, adoption) but she does not give up. She will not allow Infertility to defeat her.

An Infertility Warrior summons the fierce, primal strength of a momma bear protecting her cubs to fight for her future children. She stands up straight, chin up, feet firmly on the ground and tells Infertility "Let's go A@@hole." (It's helpful if you have a shield and a giant syringe filled with cold progesterone in peanut oil!)

Will you stumble, will you cry, will you lie on the ground fighting for breath? YES! But you must get up. You must get up and keep fighting the injustice and the downright evil that is Infertility! You need to get into the mindset of fighting for your child's life because in a very real way, you are.

Unleash your inner Infertility Warrior!!!

"I'm not infertile. Why should I care? What's in it for me?"

2008-12-25T17:20:00.001-08:00

If feeling compassion for women in tremendous pain (your sisters, friends, coworkers, etc) is not enough for you, let's talk about you.

Infertile women are in the prime of their lives. Generally between 30 and 45 years old, these women are your nurses, local business owners, hair dressers, lawyers, flight attendants, teachers, police officers, etc.

What is it worth to have these professionals feeling their best? Giving you their best?

People feeling shame, and unsupported grief struggle to even get through their days sometimes and it is unlikely, no matter how hard they try, that they are at their very best. Removing the shame and stigma of infertility, and raising awareness, will give support.

Although they will still struggle, a big part of the burden they carry will be lifted. And that will help you.

Infertility - Prepare For A Battle

2008-12-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of linking my new blogger account up to my existing blog.

In the meantime, you can visit my existing blog at http://www.infertilitywarrior.com/

Here is a picture of me wearing the Fertility Hope Medal that I designed and am selling at http://www.lifemedals.com along with a picture of the medal in silver and in 14k gold. It is meant to validate, inspire and empower! We are all struggling for the child, but the journey itself matters and deserves to be honored.