Pregnancy

Births are like snowflakes. Each one is uniquely beautiful. They show us a courage and strength we never knew we had and a love we never could have imagined. The excitement and anticipation of an upcoming birth is palpable. There is an anxious energy around not knowing exactly what to expect. Will it be long or short, comfortable or difficult, exactly as planned or take its own direction? Birth is one of the few parts of life that we typically can’t and shouldn’t control. When our babies are born, we wear our stories like a badge of honor. Each of us has our own special initiation into motherhood. This week, you’ll read stories that encompass many kinds of birth. From...

Infertility :: Tell Your Story First of all, I just want to say thank you to the many of you who have responded to the posts this week. I have received emails, texts, Facebook messages, etc., and the feedback and response has been overwhelming. It is so great to know that there is a huge community of support out there. Here here for more of my story, how to cope with infertility or learn how to be a supportive friend. I know first hand what so many of you are going through.  Looking back at my journey, I realize that my infertility story was extremely, mercifully short compared to what many of you are currently experiencing. But the ache and hurt...

For the many of you who are reading this blog series (here is Part 1 and Part 2) who have never struggled with fertility, chances are that you know someone who is. Infertility affects between 10% and 15% of couples trying to conceive.  You likely have a friend or a relative who is currently dealing with this issue. Knowing the right things to do or say can be tricky because you don't want to walk on eggshells, but you don't want to be hurtful either. Based on my experiences, here are a few suggestions for what to say and what not to say. Things you should try to avoid saying or doing: Don't tell her to "just relax". This was one...

Infertility :: How to Cope I shared my story of my journey through infertility. What I failed to share, however, was the deep agonizing pain that I went through in that journey.  I didn't share about the endless nights when I would cry myself to sleep, or when I would wake up in the morning with tears covering my face from crying in my sleep. I didn't share about the times when I would have to rush to the bathroom to be sick and then return to a room full of my friends and their young babies with a smile plastered to my face. Or the times when I would hear a song on the radio that triggered deep pain...

Infertility :: My Story I have two amazing children.  Matthew, my three-year-old, is an inquisitive, bright, tractor-loving country boy, while Ben, my almost-two-year-old, is a playful, hilarious, sweet bull in a china shop.  I cannot imagine not being their mother. But for years I could not imagine that I ever would have the chance. In 2006, after two years of marriage, Kenny and I decided to start a family.  We didn't really know many people with young children, and only a very few of our friends had experienced a pregnancy in their marriage.  So we really had no idea what to expect in the process.  I truly believed that we would become pregnant immediately.  In fact, I remember that we started trying to conceive...