Conceiving a child is a beautiful and natural process that many of us dream of. However, for some, this dream can turn into a painful and emotional rollercoaster. As someone who struggled with fertility for years, I can attest to the ups and downs, the heartbreak and the hope that comes with trying to have a baby.
For me, the journey to conceive my second child was a particularly challenging one. I had gone through many failed attempts, including multiple intrauterine inseminations (IUI’s), which left me feeling defeated and discouraged. The ultimate blow came when a round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) failed to produce any viable eggs. It was devastating to say the least.
Adding to my heartache were the miscarriages I experienced along the way. Each loss felt like a dagger through my heart, making me question my body and my ability to carry a child. To make matters worse, I was told by a doctor that my advanced maternal age (38), and my decreased ovarian reserve made me a poor responder to fertility treatments. It seemed like the odds were stacked against me, and my dream of expanding my family was slipping further away.
As I navigated through this seemingly hopeless situation, I turned to books for guidance and inspiration, seeking knowledge of how to improve my numbers and prepare my body for pregnancy. After reading every fertility book imaginable I was lucky to stumble across books of women who had beaten the odds and achieved pregnancy despite their circumstances. I was also blessed to find books that looked at fertility differently. I began to realize that I needed to change not only my medical approach but also my mindset and beliefs.
Four books that gave me hope:
- Spiritual Fertility: Integrative Practices for the Journey to Motherhood by Dr. Julie Von. This book opened my eyes to the power of prayer and spirituality in the journey of conception. It reminded me that there is a greater force at play and that sometimes, letting go and surrendering can be the key to unlocking our deepest desires.
- Inconceivable: A Woman’s Triumph Over Despair and Statistics by Julia Indichova. Through her own personal story, Julia showed me that statistics and medical diagnoses are not the be-all and end-all. She proved that with determination, belief, and perseverance, anything is possible.
- The Fertile Female: How the Power of Longing for a Child Can Save Your Life and Change Your World, also by Julia Indichova, further solidified my belief in the power of our desires and intentions. This book taught me that by focusing on what we truly want and channeling our energy into it, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
- Am I the Reason Why I Am Not Getting Pregnant by Roseann Austin profoundly touched my heart. Roseann shares her own story, and her no-nonsense, say-it-like-it-is style was a breath of fresh air. She gave me the confidence to listen to my inner wisdom and encouraged me to let go of blame and shame, and instead, to focus on self-love and acceptance.
In reading these books, I found solace and strength. They reminded me that common standards for measuring fertility are flawed and that there is so much more to our journey than mere numbers and statistics. They rekindled my faith in the universe and allowed me to believe in the possibility of a miracle.
Through changing my mindset and embracing the power of prayer, spirituality, and self-love, I was able to find hope amidst the despair. And while the road was still challenging, I approached it with optimism and grace. Eventually, after years of struggle, I was blessed with the joy of conceiving my second child.
If you’re facing fertility struggles, I encourage you to explore these books and others that resonate with you. They may just be the spark of hope that you need to ignite your own journey. Remember, you are not alone, and miracles can happen even when the odds seem insurmountable. Keep the faith, believe in yourself, and never give up on the beautiful dream of creating life.
