I will never know the absolute gut wrenching pain of infertility even though I felt like I skirted its edges for years as I attempted to conceive my little boy (who I will have to stop calling little very soon).
Ethan was born after many heart breaking, soul-destroying miscarriages and with much medical intervention. In fact he owes his life to science – from conception right through to gestation and then to the very fraught beginnings when ventilators breathed for him. And after all the pain and angst we suffered on our journey to bring him into this world we had a happy ending.
We were the lucky ones.
Infertility is considered a disease of the reproductive system. One third of infertility can be attributed to male factors, and about one third to female factors. In about 20% of cases infertility is unexplained, and the remaining 10% of infertility is caused by a combination of problems in both partners.
Keiko Zoll is an infertility advocate. She was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency (formerly known as premature ovarian failure) in 2009 at age 26, just three months after her first wedding anniversary.
In trying to erase some of the stigma surrounding the subject of infertility she made public (and viral) her struggle with infertility with this incredibly moving video that “illustrates the “everydayness” of coping with infertility”.
What IF we no longer remain silent about our infertility? What IF we give infertility a face, a name, a story? What IF we can become a positive force for change?
What IF we don’t give up hope?
Top Comments
I was told by my doctor in 2008 that due to my syptoms along with failing to concieve again, it was highly likely I was going through premature ovarian failure. I was devastated, I was only 28 years old at the time. Early menopause? It was the hardest thing I've ever had to hear, but I just kept telling myself how lucky I was to have one beautiful child already and for that I was thankful. Despite my doctors initial thoughts, she sent me to a hormone specialist to have some tests done. One of the blood tests he done was testing for Coeliac disease, which at the time I had no idea what tests he'd taken blood for, until that particular test came back positive. So then I had to have an endoscpoy, which confirmed the diagnosis in December 2008. After having started a gluten-free diet, one month later I fell pregnant, but early on I miscarried. Another 3 months later I fell pregnant again and 9 months later gave birth to a perfectly healthy 9 pound baby girl. In between the blood tests and endoscopy, I was referred to a fertility specialist. I told him that it was likely I had Coeliac Disease, and he basically told me that he didn't think that had anything to do with it. He said my BMI was too low and prescribed sustagen drinks to help me put weight on. After I was diagnosed and fell pregnant I refused to go back and see him. It was obvious having CD had everything to do with it. I just wanted to share my story, so that others are aware of the possibilty of infertility due to CD. Having this disease is difficult, but if it wasn't for my diagnosis I wouldn't have been able to have any more children, and for that I am ever so grateful. I wish all of you out there struggling to concieve all the very best. I have only had a small taste of what it's like to be told I will never have any more kids, and I can't imagine how much worse it would be having no kids yet, and being told that having kids is going to be difficult or not an option. My heart really does go out to each and everyone of you. Much love to you all xxxx
thank you.....