Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month - Oct 22

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Throughout the month I will be sharing stories of those who have loved and lost angel babies.

Below is a link to several beautiful stories.

http://pregnancyloss.info/womens-stories/third-trimester-stories/

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day - Oct 15

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Each October I share stories stories of those who have loved and lost angel babies.

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day http://www.october15th.com .  Today I share my story.

I was born with a uterine abnormality - a unicornuate uterus.  For some unknown reason, the left side of my uterus never formed, leaving me with a uterus about 1/3 the size of a normal one.

When this was discovered, the doctors thought that I would never be able to have children.  They did not believe that I would be able to get pregnant, let alone carry a baby long enough to survive.  My marriage also did not survive.

The doctors were half right.  Despite only one fallopian tube connecting to my uterus (the left tube is there - there just is no opening to my uterus on that side) I was able to get pregnant - twice.  Neither pregnancy made it past the first trimester.

There are thousands of women who have uterine abnormalities who are able to have children on their own - some are luckier than others - but all of these pregnancies are considered high risk and should be monitored closely.

I found a wonderful Ob/Gyn who specializes in high risk pregnancies.  When I was ready to try again, she was ready to help we with the journey.  But, time passed, and I was not ready to try again.  Suddenly I was 35 - "geriatric" in terms of pregnancy.  My Ob/Gyn and I had a heart-to-heart.  She explained to me that if I really wanted to have my own child, time was beginning to run out.  Due to the lack of time on my side, and my chances of a successful pregnancy due to my uterus, my best chance to have my own child would be to have someone else carry it for me - gestational surrogacy.

My (second) husband and I then boarded the emotional roller coaster that is IVF and gestational surrogacy.

After 3 IVF cycles, two gestational carrier false starts, and a trip to India, we FINALLY had an embryo transfer.  Then WE WERE PREGNANT!!!!  It was for real - we had a positive BETA.

And then we weren't....

The second BETA showed levels dropping instead of rising, and by the third BETA there we no levels at all.  Our GC had an early miscarriage.

In IVF, this is often called a "chemical pregnancy".  Some people dismiss these as "nothing".  They are not nothing.  They are confirmed pregnancies.  If you experience a chemical pregnancy be kind to yourself.  You have the right to grieve.  If you know someone who experiences a chemical pregnancy, be kind to them.  They have just lost a child.  It doesn't matter that it may have only been days - it was still a child.

I was devastated.  How could this happen?  My uterus sucks so we found a good one to use instead.  We gave our little embies a perfect home.  Why didn't this work?  It turns out that in addition to a bum uterus I also have bum eggs.  My previous losses may not have been because of my uterus after all.

Our loss happened right before Halloween.  I was not answering the door handing out candy.  I found it much too painful.  I could not look at children in their cute little Halloween costumes and not feel heartbroken.  I feared that I may never, ever get that chance to take my own child trick-or-treating.

We had a second transfer in December.  Those embryos never took at all.

At this point I did not know what to do.  We had 4 embryos left - frozen from our second IVF cycle.  We could ship them and try yet another transfer.  I was not sure if I even wanted to try again.  I didn't know if I could take another loss.

We were lucky that we found a GC locally and I somehow found the courage to try again.  I knew that this person would be a great carrier - they had two very successful pregnancies with uncomplicated deliveries.  They didn't drink, smoke or even have caffeine.  They are probably the healthiest person that I know.

But, I was still scared.  My eggs were not great and our remaining embryos had not been genetically tested.  We really had no idea if they were healthy or not.

Out of the four, one made it to transfer day.  It was not even a blastocyst - only a morula and a poorly graded one at that.  The doctor did not have high hopes.

Somehow, that little morula stuck and keep sticking.

Instead of being overjoyed, I was terrified.  I was so afraid of losing another child.

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.  Many women who have experienced pregnancy loss have many difficult emotions in a pregnancy following a loss.  It is OK.  It is normal.  Find support to help you.  For those who know someone who is experiencing a pregnancy after a loss - support them.  Just support them.

Finally, our son was born.  He was beautiful.  And he was healthy.  He was finally real.

I love my son more than anything in the world.  But I am still sad when I think of the children that I have lost.  Every October is difficult, and I cry every year when I write this post.

Having a child does not make up for losing a child.

Don't tell me how I am finally healed, because I am not.

The scars may have faded, but they are still scars.  My losses are part of my experience and are part of who I am today.  I try to draw strength from the children that I have lost to help others who have also experienced loss.

I celebrate the child that I have here on earth, but will always remember those who I have in heaven.

Below is a link to several beautiful stories.

http://adrielbooker.com/stories-miscarriage-stillbirth-pregnancy-loss-baby-loss/

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month - Oct 8

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Throughout the month I will be sharing stories of those who have loved and lost angel babies.

Below is a link to several beautiful stories.

http://people.com/bodies/pregnancy-loss-stories-instagram/

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month - Oct 1

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Throughout the month I will be sharing stories of those who have loved and lost angel babies.

Below is a link to several beautiful stories.

http://www.pregnancystories.net/pregnancy_loss/

Less is More

This is my closet.  For those who have seen my closet before it may look a little different.  Maybe a little less full?  A little more coordinated perhaps?

I have decided to embrace the "capsule wardrobe".  The concept has become pretty popular as of late but was actually created in the 1970's.  A capsule wardrobe is defined as a compact wardrobe made up of staple pieces in coordinating colors - usually in the realm of 30 items or fewer, including shoes and sometimes even accessories.  One might update the wardrobe with a couple of trendy or seasonal items for each season, but that was it.  The goal is to have a streamlined wardrobe of high-quality pieces that could be worn often and interchangeably, thereby saving money, closet space and time.

To be fair, this is more than 30 pieces.  I actually have two capsules going - a work one and a casual one - but this is still a huge improvement for me.

I had heard of this concept before but brushed it aside.  At the time I didn't find capsules that fit my style and honestly could not fathom the thought of paring down.

The idea came to me as I was looking for travel wardrobe ideas.  We are going on a 10-day tour of Eastern Europe in a few weeks and are limited to one large suitcase each plus a carry-on bag.  For most people this is one more suitcase than they even need, but not for me.  Oh no. I am a notorious over-packer.  I return home from trips with about of third of my items clean and unworn.  This is not good for several reasons and can even be costly.  We had to pay a HUGE fee coming back from New Zealand a couple of years ago for our overweight bags.  To be fair, we did pick up some souvenirs, but not 10 pounds worth.

My goal was to find some packing ideas so that I had a coordinated wardrobe, with plenty of options, that fit my style and into one suitcase.  Some of the trip packing "capsules" that I found were actually put together by "capsule wardrobe" bloggers.  I was intrigued by this.  I could somehow put a wardrobe together for an entire season that looked great, used items I (for the most part) already owned and saved time and closet space.

I may not have been open to this a few years ago, but I was open now.

After finding your capsule inspiration, the first step is to clean out your closet.  This is not only to make room for your capsule, but also to evaluate your wardrobe in general.  Note that items that are out of season are to be put in storage, but only if they are in good shape, are the right size, and fit within another capsule.  That is a nice way of saying that you probably have some things that need to go.

I admit that I have been in serious need of good closet clean out.  And I do periodically go through my clothes and donate items.  However, I seem to do this fairly often, and despite those clean-outs, the closet keeps getting full.  Hmmmm.

Luckily I found some help.  https://bemorewithless.com/goodcloset/

In this post she asks good questions during the clean-out process:

• Guilt asked, “Why did you spend so much money on things you don’t wear?”
• Frustration asked, “Are we going to have to do this again in 6 months?”
• Fear asked, “If you let go, will you have enough to wear?”

These all resonated with me.  I have spent a ton of money on clothes that I don't wear.  Thankfully not at full retail prices but a ton of money the same.  The closet clean-out is a regular process for me -isn't this supposed to be a big one-time project with some occasional editing?  

Good points, but the one that stuck with me the most was fear.  Ahhhh.  Finally the root cause.  Fear.

We all have things that stand out to others.  One thing for me is my style.  Now I am not saying that I am the coolest kid on the block.  But I do tend to dress well and people comment on it.  It has taken me a while, and there has been plenty of trial and error along the way, but I have found the "classy yet trendy" style that works for me and some other people seem to like it too.

This feels pretty good.  I mean, who doesn't like a compliment.  But the style thing really hits on something deeper.  I can have great style and only have a few great pieces in my closet.  Instead, my closet (and my backup closet) are overflowing.  I can never have ENOUGH style.

I finally know why this is.  (I have been making some great strides in therapy lately).  

I did not have a lot growing up.  In some ways, I did not even have enough.

I love when I share this fact and people who did grow up with enough (and most times really a lot) try to empathize.  "Yeah, we didn't have Nintendo either growing up" In their case, it was because their middle-class parents didn't want them to have one and made up for it with annual vacations and paying for their college (private college even).  Totally the same as being on food stamps and having reduced or free lunches (which were a different color lunch ticket so everyone knew that you were a poor kid by the way).  OK.  Done venting.

Clothes were a symbol of the status that I did not have.  Despite being the oldest child, I still had hand-me-down clothes.  My Mom's co-workers would send her home with clothes for me. Thankfully some of them weren't bad.  But I never, at least that I can remember, in 8 years of Catholic school (which we went to because they offered reduced tuition to the "less fortunate" by the way) had a uniform skirt that actually fit.  They were either way too big, or too small, or too long or too short.  In a way, it was funny (in a sad, sad way).

The minute that I had a job, I spent the money on clothes.  I just started amassing clothes.  I was a huge name brand whore with little to no budget.  So, I bought whatever was on sale.  Half the time it wasn't even that great or really fit well but it did have the right name on it.  That became more expensive as I went back to school and got better-paying jobs and expanded to purses and even vehicles.

As the years went by I did start to realize what I was doing, and why I was doing it and did start to make less and better purchases.  But never completely gave up the bad habit. 

I admit I am still not TOTALLY ready, but I am trying really hard.

I have spent the last few weeks going through the closets.  If an item doesn't fit (keeping a small amount of clothes in a size up because like most women my size does fluctuate and we all (like it or not) need to keep some "fat clothes"), doesn't look good, doesn't match at least two other items in my closet, and has not been worn in at least a year (barring a few special occasion items like cocktail dresses and suits)  (and OK, I gave myself two years - baby steps) it is getting sold, consigned or donated.  Sigh.  There is a LOT of stuff that is not going back in my closet.

I am trying not to think about the wasted money.  At this point there is nothing I can do about that.  I can, however, focus on the positive.  I still have a nice, classy yet trendy wardrobe that is now actually even more coordinated than it has been in the past.  I also take much less time deciding what to wear in the morning.  I will have more free time and more money to put towards other, better efforts.

It is not easy.  Trust me, I am eye-f$cking that new Kate Spade purse of yours (did I mention how much I LOVE Kate Spade purses?  And sunglasses?  And shoes?).  But, I already have the one purse that I need for my capsule.  And it is a cute purse and in good shape.  And really all I need.

And I am working on being happy with what I already have, as I already have all that I need.

What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been

The past 18 months have been a fantastic journey with ups and downs, some successes and some failures.  I admit that I did not really know what to expect from motherhood.  After I found out about my fertility issues, I completely avoided children (as much as possible) for a very long time.  Maybe it was this or maybe I really do have less "mothering" instinct than others, for mothering did not come easily or naturally to me.

Don't get me wrong.  I love P with all of my heart and am so grateful that we were finally blessed with a child of our own.  It's just that I don't always feel like I know what I am supposed to do, or how I should handle a particular situation, and am awed by those mothers that do.

I know that mothering actually does not come easily for everyone.  And some of those "natural" mothers have confided in me that they really don't have a clue either half the time.  Like many things, it comes with time.  I feel much more like a mother than I once did.  Little P is pretty happy and healthy, so I think that I might actually be good at too ;)

Early on it was pretty tough.  But let's be honest - it's tough for everyone.  You suddenly have a defenseless creature that needs you and only you to survive, that only sleeps for short periods of time and at odd hours and needs to eat nearly constantly.  That's a lot to take in.

I think that I saw the bleary-eyed parents of newborns before, but maybe I just didn't notice them.  Or, I thought that maybe they were just working or partying too hard.  I had heard the complaints about being a new parent, but just never really took them in.  In my defense, I honestly never thought I actually was going to be a parent the way that our infertility journey was going.

Now I understand.  I see the "walking dead".  The bleary-eyed, exhausted people who are running on a few hours of sleep - if they are lucky.  I see them and nod with understanding.

To be fair.  We were pretty lucky.  P was a very healthy baby.  He had jaundice when he was born, but it cleared up with regular feedings.  He did actually sleep pretty well (for a newborn), had no congenital birth defects or conditions, and was a good eater.

The feedings were pretty tough at first in that I tried to induce lactation.  I thought it would be a way to help me bond with P and that it would help to heal that I was not able to carry P myself.  No matter how much I pumped, or ate oatmeal, or took supplements, I just did not produce milk.  The most I could do was 1 ounce a day - even after P was born.

I tried a supplemental nursing system.  That was a huge pain.  It was hard on me and hard on P.  I lasted about a week.  Mark was great.  He helped to keep encouraging me and even went to the lactation consultant with me.  We got a special nursing pillow and he helped me with holding P the right way and latching.  I wanted to give up a few times, but Mark kept me going.

Then, about 3 in the morning, I came into the bedroom absolutely distraught.  I was crying and holding P.  I had been trying to get P to nurse for about an hour and it just was not working.  Mark wiped my tears, looked me straight in the eyes and said: "I will go and get a bottle".  And I knew it was the best and right thing to do.

Even I was not a milk producer, thankfully other people are.  We were able to secure enough donor milk from our GC and a wonderful family to keep P on breast milk until he was a year old.

Things did get easier.  P started to sleep, so we started to sleep.  He grew and started hitting his milestones.  One day, he could hold up his head, then he could roll over.  Suddenly he started crawling.  Then, after months of scooting around furniture, he took his first steps.  Now we can barely keep up with him.

P became more and more fun as he grew.  Interacting with him melts my heart.  He gives us hugs and runs to greet us when we pick him up from daycare.  He can even start to tell us what he wants!  (As long as it is a banana or "nana" as P likes to say).  It is pretty amazing what new things he can do from day to day.

I try not to blink as I might miss something along the way.

The journey to get here has had its ups and downs, but the destination has been worth the trip.

Update on MN Surrogacy Legislation

The Gestational Carrier Act was introduced in the Minnesota House.

Like its companion bill in the Senate (SF 707), the House bill (HF 2593) reflects the consensus points reached by the Legislative Commission on Surrogacy to enact clear and needed regulation of surrogacy in Minnesota that protects all participants. This is a bipartisan bill with support from lawmakers in both parties, and we need to make sure that every lawmaker understands the legislation and the importance of keeping gestational carrier surrogacy available and legal in Minnesota.

There are a few things you can do to accomplish these goals:

1. THANK THE BILL AUTHORS: Thank the authors of the Gestational Carrier Act if they are your Representative or Senator. Authors to date are Representatives Lesch, Hertaus, Zerwas, Youakim and Loonan and Senators Pappas, Dibble, Latz, Abeler and Marty. Use the letter template below and locate their email addresses here. (If you don’t know who your lawmaker is, you can look them up here.) We want to make these lawmakers feel good about their leadership and encourage them to reach out to their colleagues on our behalf. And to those of you who attended MN Advocacy Day, please pat yourselves on the back for securing so many co-authors! And enjoy this blog about YOU! (If your Representative promised to co-sponsor the bill on Advocacy Day and is not listed above, please reach out and encourage them to sign on to this common-sense consensus bill.)

2. ATTEND TOWN HALLS: We are already seeing a difference when people bring this topic up at town hall meetings. A potential new co-author is in the works thanks to one of her constituents attending a recent town hall. To see when your lawmakers are hosting a town hall, sign up for their emails, check their website or follow them on social media. Plan to attend and let us know at info@resolve.org so we can send you some talking points to make it super easy for you.

3. STAY ENGAGED: Be sure to open RESOLVE emails and Action Alerts, and you can also track our bills’ progress by signing up for MyBills on the MN State Legislature website (enter HF 2593 and SF 707). We are in this for the long haul and need your continued commitment. We know that opponents of surrogacy are well-funded and organized, and we must not let up!

Thanks to your efforts, we now have positive legislation pending in the House and Senate to regulate surrogacy in a way that protects all participants without restricting access to this important family building option. Our work will continue through the spring and into the next legislative session, and we appreciate your staying vigilant to help get this legislation passed.

Thank you, Minnesota Advocates!

Julie Berman, RESOLVE Board Chair and Minnesota Advocate
Betsy Campbell, RESOLVE Director of Constituent Engagement

P.S. RESOLVE is the only patient advocacy group in the U.S. that fights for the rights of women and men who are infertile. We can’t do this without your support - any amount helps.Please donate today to protect access to care in Minnesota.

Sample Thank You Letter to Gestational Carrier Act Authors

I am writing to thank you for co-authoring [for Rep. Lesch and Sen. Pappas, say authoring] the Gestational Carrier Act (HF 2593 /SF 707) to enact clear and needed regulation of surrogacy in Minnesota that protects all participants. This legislation is important to me and the 1 in 8 couples in our district who are struggling with infertility.

As a volunteer advocate for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, I [Insert if you attended MN Advocacy Day - enjoyed meeting with you last month and ] applaud your leadership on this pro-family legislation. I hope you will encourage your colleagues to support the Gestational Carrier Act and keep all family building options available and legal for the more than 113,000 Minnesotans who need medical assistance to have a child.

Thank you again for your support of the infertility community and for helping Minnesotans realize their dreams of family.

Sincerely,

NameMailing Address