The “Official” Introduction
For many women, one of the most difficult aspects of a diagnosis of infertility is the loneliness and isolation they feel. Though they may have loving partners and well-meaning friends and families, they often have few people they can really talk to about their pain, emotions, frustrations, and fears. We are just such a group of women.
Each of our lives has been touched, in one way or another, by infertility. In exploring the resources available to us, we were unable to find an IF support group in the North Alabama area. Not content to let an obstacle stand in our way, we came together and decided to create one. We are not medical or mental health professionals. Because everyone’s journey is different, our meetings are not topic-driven. There are no scheduled speakers. Our gatherings are simply a chance to get together in an informal and relaxed setting where we can share our experiences with other women who have walked in our shoes. We compare notes and stories. We offer friendship and support. We laugh and cry. We listen and hope together.
Whether you’re coping with a new diagnosis of IF, or you’re “old pro” in the world of Assisted Reproductive Technology; whether you have moved through the infertility process and are now either pregnant or adopting, or whether you have chosen to get off the IF roller coaster all together, we have a place for you. Our meetings are held monthly at a Huntsville Alabama area restaurant. There is no fee to attend, other than the cost of your meal.
For further information, please contact:
Kellie at kfc1206@charter.net or
Becky at rebeccamwinks@yahoo.com
We look forward to getting to know you and remember . . . We’re All In This Together!
March 7, 2008 at 9:25 pm
First of all I want also would like to thank Kellie for putting this wonderful blog together. The WAITT support group is just full of extraordinary women whom I admire so much. My journey started 3 years ago. As soon as I got married my clock was ticking….I was 30 years old and I really wanted to start a family with my husband. At first I didn’t want to stress about it and let it happen when it was going to happen. Then I became impatient and decided to “really” start trying. Soon after that I became pregnant. Needless to say we were thrilled but…. 9 weeks later we lost our little one. I had a DNC and really took it hard. I just moved to AL and did not know the WAITT group yet. My friends back home did not understand my pain and as IF crept into my life my real friends became more apparent and I was hurt to realize I had only one or two left. After 3 rounds of clomid, we too went to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist. At first they found nothing wrong with either one of us. We even got pregnant again on our first IUI, but that ended up being a chemical pregnancy and lost that one too. Suddenly the RE found things wrong with both of us and this only heighted our stress and fear. Five IUI’s later still no luck. We then decided to try a shot at IVF. We did the whole 45 day treatment of BCP, daily injectables, mood swings, weight gain and all that fun stuff. Only to reach the end and be told I only had 3 good eggs and a 30% success rate of achieving a pregnancy with this cycle. So in lieu of spending major cash for a 30% success rate, we decided to take our losses and do yet another IUI instead. Well due to the large amounts of medication I was taking I ended up with Overhyperstimulation Syndrome which resulted in no IUI and a one night stay at the hospital and more than a week off week on bed rest. Needless to say my husband and I were so frustrated, we looked for ways to find support and then I found the WAITT group. I too was contemplating adoption when the idea of being a foster parent and adopting that route seemed like a good plan. So my husband and I took a break from IF treatment and decided started our 10 week Foster Care Course. Three months into the class I found out I was pregnant. Yes! Pregnant! All by ourselves!! At this time I am 6 months pregnant with some hurdles that came along the way. I am considered high risk and had a cervical stitch put in. So we are hoping all will be ok. I hope that my story helps anyone who reads it. WAITT is a wonderful group of women and anything you say here will never be judged. No-one understands the pain of pregnancy loss and/ or infertility like some-one who has gone through it. So just know that you can open you heart here. We’re all ready to listen