Thursday, September 28, 2017

Infertility

My hearts a little tender tonight, I’m not sure what sparked it, I’m usually okay 3 out of 4 weeks in a month. These emotions usually accompany Aunt Flo, but tonight they are very raw and maybe it’s time to write them down. Jordan and I have been trying for our second child 21 months now with one miscarriage 15 months ago. Just typing it out makes me cry.  I’m not even sure how to put onto paper my emotions and thoughts but here goes. If not for me then maybe for someone else who needs to know they aren’t alone.
I’ve always wanted a big family and our goal was to have 5, when we conceive Grace after 2 months it felt like that was a good number to shot for but with each passing month that number seems more and more impossible. I’ve been living my life month by month for almost two years and each month that goes by is another month older Grace will be from any siblings and another month older I will be in general. It also scares me to think that this is what it will be like each time we try for another. I find myself thinking “I will be so grateful if I could even just have two”
Another struggle is the conflict that comes when you hear of other couples pregnancies. I read recently “Infertility turns you into a jealous person overnight” sadly it’s true. I want so much to be happy for other women, there is nothing that changed me more and increase my ability to love than having a child and I want that for others but it’s seems as though everyone is pregnant but me and I wonder why, what am I doing wrong? Thankfully I always come around and can feel genuine excitement for others, until another announcement…
            The hardest part of all of this is the feeling I’m letting my husband and daughter down. Jordan once told me he doesn’t talk much about it because he doesn’t want me to feel like it’s my fault, I can see why he would say that, I tend to take it all on myself. If it was just me wanting another then it would just be me I was failing but the few time’s he does talk about it I’m pulled into a overwhelming feeling of guilt, like I’m failing him too. This is in no way his fault, it’s an effect of me wanting things to be perfect and when they aren’t I want to fix them, so when I can’t it’s my fault. Then there are the times the my sweet little girl points out babies in books or at the store and plays with her baby and I want so bad to tell her we will have our own baby, but I can’t and I’m afraid I never will… failure number three.
            I know our Heavenly Father has a plan and I’ve had many experiences that teach me His plan is always better and for our benefit. Just in the last year of this trial I’ve gained more empathy than I could have imagined. Knowing this doesn’t make it easier but it does give me a little more understanding and the smallest amount of comfort that it will all work out. It’s not easy and I don’t think it ever will be, but until something changes we will continue to pray each day for another baby.
           I do want to end with, I know that I’m so blessed to have my beautiful daughter and she is truly a unique and special spirit and wanting another in no way takes away from her. I love my husband and feel so blessed to have him in my life and if they are all I get in this life then I’m pretty lucky.  

4 comments:

  1. Infertility is such a hard thing and I know the feelings, doubt, confusion, and questioning what you should be doing differently are real. Remember that God created your body AND your spirit. We have been trying to conceive for 5 years. It took three of those to really understand and accept that God's will really is more important than my own desires. This life is short and simple, may you find joy in the journey. Our prayers are with you!

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    1. Karmin,
      I know we met in Arizona when you were a missionary. You helped and uplifted me so much during my days of loss and despair. I do not think I ever told you this but I was never able to have any more children after my first. We started trying in November 2003, after he was 6 months old. He is now 14-years old. I have now been married to 3 different men and the last one (to whom I am sealed) we have been trying for almost 2 years- nothing. Three different priesthood holders have promised me that I would have more children. It hasn't happened yet. I understand you heartache. I understand your longing. I understand the aching hole in your heart to yearn for a baby. I understand your tears. I understand the jealousy towards others. I can empathize with beauty Rachel who with ever-increasing envy and mounting desperation, one day explosively demanded of Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die” (Genesis 30:1). My first husband married the woman with whom he had his affair and even though he was ok only having 1 child, they now have a 5-month old boy (we see them several times a month.) I have built walls around my heart to protect it from being broken again- hoping again because every month is crushed. Even today, I have all the symptoms for starting my period tomorrow. Those walls though come with their own cost. Making me less sympathetic to others while I pretend that I don't want a baby- putting on a face and faking it. Moving me away from the tender whisperings of the Spirit and at times being past feeling. Isolating me from others because motherhood is what unites females in our church and families. Don't do what I did. Don't build up a wall around your heart. Keep hoping. Even when you feel your heart will break. Keep trying. You got this. Some of the sweetest words in scripture to me are “And God remembered Rachel” (Genesis 30:22). I have not been remembered yet and it’s ok. And I know that one day, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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    2. Thanks for sharing with me! 😊

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