Some people may feel or believe or actually live that fertility is healed once you have a baby. And while a long present void is filled, that doesn't always make it "all better". Not everyone's body "now knows what to do" and so they miraculously get pregnant and their own. Some people do and that's amazing and wonderful for them, in fact, I'm quite jealous of those people, as I'd think they would be of me were the rolls reversed.
However, for us, we did IVF in Oct of 2010 and had 8 embryos. We assumed we would end up with 3-4 children from those embryos. We were wrong. We have one child and no more embryos and the sting of infertility is fresh and painful and hard to navigate once again. The added pressure is that now we are not only concerned with the two of us, but we have a child who has mentioned siblings. She isn't flat out asking, but one night a few weeks ago as we left her best friends house I said in jest to my husband "who needs a sister when you have a best friend like that?" And from the back seat Sugar pipes "me! I do!". Talk about ripping at your heart. If you only knew sweet girl, if you only knew. And one day she will! We have always intended on being fully honest with her about our fertility struggles, but for now she's too young.
So we face infertility still and it's difficult. It is particularly difficult when so many people who had babies around the same time as me have already had another baby or are about to. I don't begrudge them, the truth is I'm just jealous. I know the amazing blessing of a baby and I want that again.
Only this time to face another full IVF cycle does not feel right. It does not feel peaceful and I do not have a sense of calm about it. I have said enough times that God gives you a gut instinct for a reason and I intend to follow this one for now. He may have something else planned for us and He may just be saying "wait" vs "no", but I believe had I listened to my gut even with our adoption attempt that the outcome would've been different. We both would've walked away early on and the toll might not have been so great on my heart. So I don't intend to push this agenda.
That being said, not pushing my agenda and not immediately going for another full IVF and not knowing if we will ever have more children is a very hard place to be in and it is weighing heavy on my heart at times. Some days I am completely happy and at peace and know that I am Held by God. Some days I'm just as human as can be and I struggle and I'm sad and I question and I fight with God because I don't understand. However, I'm well aware that it's not for us to all understand.
My second due date was December 31st 2009. I cannot help but think that I should be planning a 4th birthday party. Maybe a frosty the snowman theme with a hot chocolate bar? Maybe it would be ninja turtles or princesses? I'll never know and there are days that makes me very sad.
I am also eternally grateful because I get to see the wonder in the eyes of a 2 year old this year and watch how magical this time of year should always be. I never want anyone to think I'm not grateful or happy, it's just that my life is a dichotomy always with babies in heaven and one blessing here with me!
The holidays are such a blessing but also seem to bring to light even more those who are missing. My heart goes out to all of you who are missing a mother, brother, father, grandparent, sister, friend, or child this season. May God's spirit fill you with the peace that they are celebrating in the most grand style possible! I hope we can all use this holiday season to look at each other through the eyes of God and know that what you see is never all of someone's story. If someone is short or unkind to you, if someone refuses to smile, to share your ideas, or to participate in things the way you feel they should, may we demonstrate Grace and Love because we have no clue where their hearts are currently!
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I've been a lurker on your blog for a while and I think this is my first time actually commenting on a post...
ReplyDeleteWe tried for 2 years to get pregnant and got pregnant finally after 2 surgeries to fix and remove one fallopian tube. Long story short, we lost our daughter, Lily, at 23 weeks in August 2008. We had our son, Cooper, in November 2009 but I also had a hysterectomy that same day due to complications. It was an extremely high-risk pregnancy and to be honest, I wouldn't have attempted another pregnancy even if I had been able to keep my uterus. My body just wasn't made for carrying babies.
We discussed surrogacy and adoption. We even went to 2 adoption agencies but something just never felt right. I prayed for direction and peace continuously. For us, we've made the decision to not have any more children. We have no doubt and total peace with our decision. Other people have issues with our decision which is funny to me...
Anyways, I say all that to say that it's a process. God's plan and answer to your prayers about when or if to have another baby could be totally different than how our prayers were answered. I think you're wise to go with your gut and not rush into a plan.
Prayers! I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your Sugar :)
A post that I myself could have written so many times. Love your heart.
ReplyDeleteYour post is oerfect. I get the longing for another baby and the desire to also have peace in your situation. We've had this convo many times and there's not much I can add. I love you and you know I'll keep praying. god is faithful!
ReplyDeleteWishing things were different for all of us. And yet, not, because we have the children we do because of what we've been through...but that doesn't make it less painful to miss those little babes that should have been in your arms, or mourn the ones that you are still waiting for.
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