More than a Band-Aid, We Need a Cure

Last week was officially Infertility Awareness week. It is interesting the way that we have found a day, week, or month to be aware of just about everything in our world. It makes me laugh sometimes at the silly things like Straw Hat month (April) or  Play Your Ukelele Day. Oh yeah, that one is coming up this week.

Today, April 30th, is Honesty Day.  That seems fitting because I'd like to speak very honestly about infertility awareness. Last week, I read well written accounts of different women's struggles with infertility, the blessings that alternative ways of becoming a parent can give, and what not to say to a woman struggling with infertility. I admit that the last topic was pretty good. I receive comments daily from both friends and complete strangers that accidentally cut deep.

What I didn't read last week was working towards a cure. Every October we fight breast cancer and raise money for a cure. Where is the talk about a cure to infertility? Why are we allowing band-aid fixes? Why aren't we demanding more from our doctors? We are blessed that infertility is not a cancer. We are blessed that we are not going to die (at least not on the outside) if we do not carry a pregnancy to term and raise a beautiful, biological child. Band-aids might do the trick, but are we being left with one big, ugly scar.

When we began our infertility journey, we made the decision to pursue adoption if we needed to before we ever step foot in the office for the first visit. We knew that we would not choose IVF or IUI. It just wasn't the way we believed God would give new life to our family. It was a personal conviction. I had researched and read enough to know the typical process that the obstetrician would take in diagnosing and treating any possible issues we were facing. Unfortunately, that process very quickly ends with IVF and many couples are faced with the decision, spend thousands for the slim chance of success or never be parents.

It is not fair that mainstream obstetrics causes this stressful, burdensome decision. There are so many negative side effects that a couple and especially the woman face when pursuing IVF. And the truth is it is not always necessary and most times fail.

I'm speaking honestly saying that there are other ways to achieve a pregnancy. There are natural ways that do not cause stress and harm to our bodies. There are ways that have higher success rates with less financial and emotional costs.

We should be demanding better from our doctors. Quite frankly, they should be better educated. A year ago I had faith in my OB/GYN. She was kind and patient. She listened. She offered advice. Then she "diagnosed" me and started passing out the band-aids. Take this Clomid, you will never ovulate without it. Oh take a higher dose of Clomid because your levels need to be higher to really make sure you ovulate every month. Band-aid. Band-aid. Well, you didn't get pregnant and your husband is deploying, lets get you in to see a reproductive specialist and do IUI while your husband is gone..... Big fat Ace bandage band-aid.

No ma'am. I want a cure. I want to address the cause of my infertility. Is that too much to ask? Can we stop forcing my body to do something it clearly isn't willing to do and instead figure out why?

I encourage you ladies to search for the why. I found my why this week. I will discuss it more over the coming weeks. Guess what?! Its simple, and there is a simple solution. I found the answer through a completely natural process. 

I found my cure because I demanded it. I wasn't harsh, although I did fire my OB quietly. I did my research. I sought out answers, and I found a group of physicians spread out across our country that have the answers.

We do not need Infertility Awareness to educate the general public about our struggles. We need Fertility Awareness for the community of women who are suffering. This is my personal awareness campaign.

More than a Band-Aid. You could find your cure!