tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post4864436865571349812..comments2023-04-05T08:42:19.444-05:00Comments on 2 infertiles' journey to 2 pink lines (and a baby girl): it's a soapbox kind of dayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-67774879363257836272008-08-09T01:03:00.000-05:002008-08-09T01:03:00.000-05:00Just catching up with your posts after a very busy...Just catching up with your posts after a very busy week. <BR/><BR/>Mr G and I were so open about our IF we wrote a column in a national newspaper for a period of time. It provoked loads of e mails and letters and we met others in the same boat. We gave and we reaped the rewards of sharing. <BR/><BR/>What I find interesting from all us girls claiming to be so open (myself included) is that we all blog anonymously. Perhaps that gives us the leaway to be so open and there's a fine line between being open about IF and open about feelings and personal info.Portia Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08344574775614817555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-61536377433749075872008-08-07T16:33:00.000-05:002008-08-07T16:33:00.000-05:00blogger ate my comments!sucky.blogger ate my comments!<BR/><BR/>sucky.tryingin2007https://www.blogger.com/profile/11696872171761663145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-7065917817858004432008-08-07T09:18:00.000-05:002008-08-07T09:18:00.000-05:00I've always been as open as possible about my IF a...I've always been as open as possible about my IF and all my treatments--probably more than anyone around me wanted to know. I guess I'm just that way. <BR/>But I still haven't gathered up the fortitude to take on my husband's company about their decline of infertility coverage....DAVshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16759565504954172751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-48101852927327894922008-08-06T10:53:00.000-05:002008-08-06T10:53:00.000-05:00I pretty much tell anyone who will listen that we ...I pretty much tell anyone who will listen that we struggled with IF. My biggest concern are the women out there who actually think its simple and easy to conceive into their early 40s because "celebrities" are doing it. <BR/><BR/>The celebrities who hide the fact that they got PG using donor eggs or IVF or with any help at all are doing a great disservice to all young women out there.<BR/><BR/>There are many other reasons too of course, that is just one that I feel particularly passionate about!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-29461987758222519602008-08-06T09:12:00.000-05:002008-08-06T09:12:00.000-05:00I am so with you on this. And I take it a step fu...I am so with you on this. And I take it a step further because our IF issue was ZERO sperm so we had to use a donor. THIS (and egg or embryo donation) seems to be the most "shameful" IF there is. Not only are people ashamed to admit they had problems conceiving, but if one of the parents isn't the true biological parent there is a lot of embarrassment & discomfort associated with that. I get it, I really do, but I also think if everyone were open about it there would be much LESS embarrassment/shame/discomfort associated with it. Plus, I think every child deserves to know exactly where they came from. Secrets are no good for anyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-46432572435760890622008-08-06T00:34:00.000-05:002008-08-06T00:34:00.000-05:00Absolutely! Great post! I always try to speak up a...Absolutely! Great post! I always try to speak up and educate whenever possible. Everyone knows we did IVF whether they wanted to know or not. I have found a lot of people want to know more and the few people that don't, well too bad for them.nickoletta100https://www.blogger.com/profile/17687545335045943082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-1300026234376132952008-08-05T18:17:00.000-05:002008-08-05T18:17:00.000-05:00So weird...I was thinking about this today as well...So weird...I was thinking about this today as well. I was thinking about my reaction to the question, "do twins run in your family?" and how I never know how to answer. Do I get into my whole story? Or do I just say no and leave it at that? I'm decided to start just telling people that we did IVF after a really difficult time with any other treatment. It'll be tough to not act ashamed as (for whatever reason) I do feel that deep down, but I need to do this. I need to make it okay. Thanks for spending some time on your soapbox!Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14048243639634834643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-5099927292829360952008-08-05T12:47:00.000-05:002008-08-05T12:47:00.000-05:00I agree with about 75% of what you said. I, too, ...I agree with about 75% of what you said. I, too, am very open about our issues with infertility. I am not the slightest bit ashamed to tell a stranger that we conceived through IVF and will try it again in a heartbeat when we are ready for #2. I've often taken it as my personal mission to educate ignorant people about infertility and fertility treatments.<BR/><BR/>However -- I also see it as more of a cycle. Instead of simply blaming the infertile community for not having a voice, I see the other side as well. I see how the ignorance of the general population on IF issues can really hold down those who are going through these issues. While I am strong enough to hold my own when people make rude comments about our IF treatments (which, believe me, I have had to deal with MANY such comments), others are just not made that way. I don't fault them for that. IF is painful enough without opening the doors to invite others' hurtful comments. <BR/><BR/>And while I of course agree that IF is a medical diagnosis, I do see it differently than other illnesses such as kidney failure. Does my neighbor (or my mom!) really want to know that my husband's sperm count is low and that his sperm are slow and misshapen? Probably not. <BR/><BR/>Just wanted to share my opinion, as someone else who is very open about IF.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08166435891191504067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8959909924189831348.post-17206548562352220912008-08-05T11:37:00.000-05:002008-08-05T11:37:00.000-05:00Great post. Seriously spot on.Great post. Seriously spot on.Aunt Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146687582842259611noreply@blogger.com