National Infertility Awareness Week

Myth: If you just relax, you will get pregnant.

Busted!: If only it were that easy! The fact is, the vast majority of individuals who have infertility have a medical reason, not a stress-related one. Upwards of 90% of all infertility cases are caused by physical problems. In the female partner, the major causes of infertility are absent or irregular ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, abnormalities in the uterus, and endometriosis (a chronic painful condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus migrates into the pelvis and attaches to the reproductive organs). The male partner can have issues with sperm production which can lead to too few sperm, sperm which can’t swim correctly, and abnormally shaped sperm.

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a girl that likes a plan. I have planned how our budget can work with a baby down to the penny. I have lists of what we'll need to purchase when we have a kiddo, and I've already started laying out a nursery. One of the things that attracted me to the Fertility Awareness Method was the fact that it allows you to follow the natural signs of your body and see what to expect. Charts, graphs, due date calculators- me likey. But if there's one thing I've learned from this wonderful world of blogging, it's that you can have perfectly laid out plans, you can do everything "right", and it may not result in what you want most- a baby.

As far as I know, Husband and I do not have any looming fertility issues ahead of us, but I am certain that most people do not expect to suffer from infertility. I have already heard from some people that my planning, timing, and stressing will end up in us having fertility issues, and that is why I chose this myth to bust. Now, stress may not help the situation in cases of people with "normal" fertility, but as stated above, it does not result in infertility. To say anything different to anyone, especially to someone that has a physical problem resulting in infertility is not only incorrect, but also hurtful.

My biggest fear about motherhood is that it won't happen naturally for us. I know how selfish that sounds as we have not even begun to try, and I am more than open to the idea of expanding our family in other ways. But this blog is about having a place where I can share our journey, and think about all things baby, and that is one of the things I think about most. I pray that we get pregnant soon, and have a healthy baby.

I pray that same prayer for all of those that deal with infertility.

National Infertility Awarness Week is April 24-30. Click to learn more, or to bust a myth yourself.