Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Infertility

It’s time to come clean and be honest on here.
The past two years have been great ones but also very tough on both Brad and I.
Why?
Infertility.

Our story begins with Brad and I meeting and falling in love in June of 2008. By the next June we were engaged and by February we were married.

During that time we talked a lot about our future and children was top on our list. Something we both agreed we wanted to start on sooner rather than later.

Our wedding was three years ago this February. I was 34 and Brad was 32.

We started trying to conceive just 3-months after our wedding. I thought it would be easy. I really did. It seemed to happen easily for most everyone else I knew.
Unfortunately though, it was the beginning of our long path of infertility.

Doctors, tests, drugs, and more tests.
Our diagnosis?
Unexplained infertility.

While we struggled to enjoy life as newlyweds by taking vacations and throwing parties -  we were also going through intensive fertility treatments and procedures...all of which, month after month, proved to be unsuccessful.

The reality of what was happening caused us great sadness, and I personally felt an overwhelming sense of mourning...mourning for the woman I always thought I was, fertile, and mourning for the life I had dreamed of with my husband, with children.

At a time when I started to distance myself from friends and social gatherings, I found a new community with my blog friends from around the country. It may sound goofy to some -- but the days in which I couldn't bear to get out of bed, were days I found comfort in the words and warmth of bloggers near and far.

After 18-months of extensive fertility treatments including a round of IVF I hit a low point. We stopped treatment I shut a lot of things off. I started praying for peace in the fact that Brad and I would be childless.
With time,and God’s grace I was finally able to find that peace.

Even so, Brad and I decided to give it one more shot.
A last ditch effort.
We found a new fertility clinic and decided to try one more round of IVF.
And that’s where our story ends,
I never had to endure that second IVF.

It’s with great happiness that I share with you something I never thought possible...
I am pregnant.
And, it happened naturally.
We are due just before Christmas.
God is good and I want to thank all of you who prayed for us.

55 comments:

Rachel said...

What WONDERFUL news! Congratulations!!

Sara said...

Congrats!!! Hope your feeling well.

Leigh Powell Hines said...

That is outstanding news, and the most wonderful news. I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations!! As we talked before, your story sounds so much like mine except I never did treatments either. Nothing happened for years. I was about to undego tests then..I learned I was expecting my son in December. December babies are wonderful. This is such a joyous and happy time. I am overwhelmed with joy for you.

Aunt Grits a.k.a Maggi said...

i would hug you if i were closer!
So happy for the both of you & buddy!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness Dee!!! This is such fantastic news!!!! I am so thrilled & beyond excited for y'all!!! Congratulations!

RiverCityWallers said...

Yaaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!! :)

donna said...

What great news Dee. I am so happy for you. You will be an awesome Momma! I was just telling my husband that I "met" this wonderful and kind lady on the blog. You've been so sweet to my kiddos and I am sure that your lil one will be showered with much kindness and love. Here's to a great pregnancy!

Mandi @ Southern Gnome said...

What great news! Congratulations!!

LSU Melanie said...

Congratulations!!! very very exciting news

MCW said...

Although I knew, I am crying! So excited for you reading this post. You are going to be a mommy! SOOO soon!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Dee! I am so, so happy for you and Brad! I can't imagine how excited you are! :)

http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

Annie said...

DEE!!!!! I'm SOOOOOO happy for you two!

Carolina Charm said...

I am beyond happy for you two. God is so faithful to his followers, and I truly believe that you and Brad are closer because of everything you've been through. You are going to be terrific parents and I cannot wait to follow your pregnancy journey! This is such a sweet story of trials and joy! CONGRATULATIONS, momma! xo

Mrs. Potts said...

Congrats sweet lady! This is such thrilling news & I couldn't be happier for you & Brad!

Gen said...

what a wonderful post! i am so excited for you!!! children just bring...life to a home! hugs to you!
Gen

KatiePerk said...

Chills. I just got chills!! So happy for you!!! Oh Happy Day!!

The Jones Family said...

I'm so happy for you both! God is good! Xoxo

If the shoe FITZ said...

Congrats! Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry you had to go through all of that. I am surebitvwas hard! Enjoy this special time! It's great...
And I am just two months ahead of you. Just hit the halfvway point yesterday. 20 weeks.
Congrats, again. Very happy for you.

I Do Declare said...

Buddy is going to be a brother!!!!!! And, of course, you and Brad will be amazing parents. Happiness a million times over for you all!

teresa-bug said...

Oh Dee! That is such great news...congratulations to you,Brad and Buddy!

Ashley said...

Umm, I Have GOOSE BUMPS and Tears in my eyes!! I AM SOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!! This is NOT the first time it has happened this way :)

Ashley said...

by the way, I LOVE that photos of you two. So are you about 10 weeks? :) This must have been SO hard to keep in. I turned of my twitter so I wont see anything there.

Unknown said...

Great post Dee. So happy for you and Brad and that I get to be an AUNT! Congrats again honey, you deserve happiness!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I also live in NC and went through infertility, so I am wishing you a very, very happy and healthy pregnancy.

Carly Anne said...

This is beyond wonderful. I got teary reading your story. Congratulations. We are also due in December, after experiencing a loss. It's a tough road to mommy-hood, isn't it?

Jordan Cole said...

I wish you could see my goosebumps right now! (I actually tried to take a picture and intagram you!) SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! THIS IS SUCH WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! Cannot wait to hear all about this next adventure!

starnes family said...

Tears, Dee! Such a beautifully written account of what you've battled. I cannot imagine those ugly words......unexplained infertility.

So happy for you!!!!!!

Sarah O said...

Congratulations Dee! I have chill-bumps and tears in my eyes. I'm so happy for you and your husband. I can't wait to read all the fun blog post that I know will be coming.

mama in the making.... said...

congrats!

love jenny xoxo said...

OMG!!!! I'm so happy for you two!!! I seriously got goosebumps reading your post, I'm so excited for you!

XOXO

reporterturnedmommy.com said...

Yea! Love that we are just two weeks apart on this pregnancy journey! Great post and I am sure that it will help people going through a similar situation

Kate said...

Oh my word!!!! I am so insanely happy for you! THIS is the child God has intended for you and that is beyond beautiful and special. I'm SOOOOO Happy for you both!!!

Claire Kiefer said...

I'm so happy for you. :) It's funny how things work out, isn't it? I'm sorry to hear about your long struggle--I know too many women who have struggled with infertility (some who have babies through IVF, some who have adopted, and some who still don't have the kids they so badly want).

I didn't expect this post to end on such a happy note, but I'm sure glad it did. Congrats to you and Brad--so exciting!

Alayna said...

So many prayers I've said for you.... Excited for you both!!!! Congrats:)

Impulsive Addict said...

That is SUCH wonderful news! Girl, you know I know your battle. It took us battling infertility for 6 years to get Emma (and we had her on our own after 2 failed IVF's) and this one happened after I lost my weight. I COMPLETELY understand your situation. God is good. I pray that the remainder of your first trimester flies by and you have a great, healthy pregnancy. We are due Dec. 7th--2 days before Emma's birthday. GAH! Perfect timing.

SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

Tricia said...

Words can't express how happy I am for you!! This is such exciting news. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!

Carol said...

Dee! Congrats to both of you, I'm so very happy for y'all!

Jenny DB said...

Woohoo that is freaking awesome Dee I am soooooo happy for you and this gives me shivers. You deserve all the happiness in the world :-) xoxoxo Congratulations~!

Dee said...

Congratulations, you're going to be a wonderful mother! I couldn't be happier for you!

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

Happy, Happy tears for you sweet friend! I couldn't be more thrilled for you and wish you nothing but the most amazing pregnancy. You will be wonderful parents!! xoxo Lots of hugs and restful wishes xoxo

Lauren @ Adventures of a Southern Newlywed said...

Oh my gosh! Congratulations! I'm so excited for you!

Unknown said...

Ahhhh!!!! I'm so so super excited for yall!! Happy tears. I just knew that this would happen for you soon, and so very glad it did. Being a parent is awesome, make way Buddy. I can't wait for pregnancy posts! Wishing you all the very best.

Wiz said...

Oh Dee! I am SO excited for you!! I hope you are feeling well! Can't wait to read about your pregnancy!

carolyn said...

really happy for you both!!

hugs-
carolyn

KW said...

SO happy to hear! Congratulations, such a huge blessing!!!!

XO,
KW

MyInnerCheerleader said...

Congratulations! You'll be wonderful parents!

donatelli98 said...

I just read this today and have tears in my eyes Dee!! I am so happy you have finally been able to announce it ... every time I saw a new pitcture I wanted to comment. So incredibly happy for you and Brad.

amy (metz) walker said...

So happy for you!

Steel Magnolia said...

Huge congratulations!! A BABY!!!

Megan said...

Congratulations on your wonderful blessing!!

The Lenzers said...

so so happy for you and Brad! You are going to make a great mom, great parents. god has good things in store for you my friend

Newlywed Next Door said...

YAY! So happy for you! Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. What an exciting time! Big hugs!

Monica said...

Again, so happy for you! I struggled too, but in different ways. Losing 2 pregnancies before we were successful and now we have our little Lyla girl. ENJOY your pregnancy.

Holly said...

Hi Dee! What an amazing story. SO COOL!!! How far along are you now? God works in the craziest most mysterious ways...

From Foothills to Fog said...

This was so touching to read...I know this was years ago now...but I am so happy you had this miracle! My best friend has a similar story. They tried for 4 years, tons of tests and procedures, but nothing. They finally gave up and just enjoyed being married and she got pregnant! She now has a 2 year old and a little baby girl :) I love hearing happy stories like this. Thanks for sharing!