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Tuesday, 29 October 2013

A Seemingly Impossible Task (#niawuk)

So yeah...infertility...that's a cool topic to post about, isn't it?
 
 
If you've been around since Rosalilium's Blog Every Day in May challenge (ta very much if you have!) you might have spotted my post all about bad advice - what not to say to people having trouble concieving. If you've found your way here since then (hello and thanks for reading!) then you might have seen on my About Me page, that it's likely we'll be having IVF at some point over the winter or new year.
 
Tenuously related...this was where we went to eat our lunch after our last fertility clinic appointment
 
 
I say 'we' but quite frankly, it's really me that'll have to have the majority of injections, drugs, procedures and the what not. Aside from all the moral support and encouragement (which is equally important I know), Andrew's part in all this involves a jar and what the fertility clinic tactfully call 'The Blue Room' (sorry if that's tmi...)
 
A very boring picture of a hospital waiting room...
 
 
Everyone on Facebook nowdays seems to post those memes about mothers, daughters and being pregnant - you know the ones...'share if you weren't a real woman until you became a mum!', 'share if your children are the most precious thing in the world!' and 'this week is National Daughters/Sons/Grandchildren Week, share if you love them to bits!' but I'll bet no-one on my Facebook newsfeed will share this:
 
National Infertility Awareness Week
 
 
 
This week is National Infertility Awareness Week (#niawuk) and there's events happening all over the country.
Did you know one in six couples in the UK will experience difficulties conceiving and interestingly (apart from pregnancy) infertility is the most common reason for a woman aged 20-45 to visit the GP?
We've got lots of friends with children and yeah, it is sometimes depressing knowing you're the 'one out of six' but you just have to get on with life, stay positive and keep trying.
 
 I know society can't help it but sometimes it would be nice if people remembered it's not always easy having children and facing a life of childlessness isn't actually something most people would choose. Top of us infertiles hate list at the moment is the current Johnsons Baby advert on TV with nauseating phrases such as "when a baby is born, so is a mother" - completing forgetting all the amazing mums who've adopted or had to use a surrogate. Next time you see the advert, watch it through the eyes of someone who can't have children naturally and you'll see what I mean...
 
 
I'm not going to go on about it; this isn't going to turn into an IVF blog but you know, it is a lifestyle blog and it will (unfortunately) be part of my life.

6 comments:

  1. I think you're fab for voicing this opinion. I share all of your opinions about adverts, Facebook and 'awareness' weeks but for different reasons I guess (I'm not sure I want to have biological children myself). Sadly the world is a bit funny about women who don't have/not sure they want children.
    Wishing you enormous IVF luck
    M x

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    1. Thanks Michelle x
      I wasn't sure whether to post it or not but life isn't always rosy (as much as I'd like to be) and in a strange sort of way, it's nicer sharing it than keeping it a big secret. x

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  2. Good for you for mentioning it on your blog, it's certainly something that needs to be spoken about more. I know a lot of couples that are having problems trying to have children and it annoys me when people blurt out lines like "well your not trying enough".

    Good luck for the IVF though!

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    1. Thanks Rachael x
      I know, some of the things people come out with are just comical! :-) x

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  3. I think you should be applauded for having the guts to talk about this on your blog. It's a tremendously hard place to be in; I remember it clearly, and I was one of the lucky ones. I wish you and Andrew (but especially you) the best of luck with IVF. Fingers firmly crossed for a sticky one! xx

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    1. Aww thanks Angela (we'll be keeping all out bits crossed for a sticky one!) :-) x
      It is difficult but you just keep smiling and hope for the best. xx

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