Q & A

Since I became pregnant again, I've had a number of questions. I thought some of them and my answers  might make an interesting blog post.

Q: Now that you are public with your pregnancy, how are you dealing with the comments? Are you getting a lot of "That's super common to get pregnant so easy after IVF" and "See you just had to stop thinking about it and relax" etc?

A: Yes, we've certainly had those same comments, surprisingly even from a friend with 2 IVF babies! I actually try to correct people and say it's really quite rare for this to happen, and we are so fortunate but it has nothing to do with relaxing/ not thinking about it. Luckily we weren't super public about our whole experience with IF (outside of internet land), so only an inner circle of friends, and some family were in the loop. I really think it makes it easier now, that many people just assume I was a fertile myrtle right from the go. It's probably better for my friends still in the trenches too, as was mentioned before I kind of give infertility a bad rap now and perpetuate an urban myth to Joe public that is not helping the cause.

Q: Is it fun being pregnant and not taking a million pills and supplements and shots?  

A: It's quite surreal that I don't need to do anything other than just gestate and let my body do it's thing. On the other hand, it's quite lonely. I don't even have any doctor's appointments until 15 weeks. When I got pregnant the first time I felt like there were not many people I could relate to both on the IF boards and in real life. Now it's even less so. I'm an imposter in an IVF due date thread, and just don't quite fit with the other oopsies at mom's groups because I'm so darn happy about this situation.

Q: You are really going to have your hands full! How are you going to manage a baby and a young toddler?

A: Well, I don't think it's going to be a breeze, but there are some real advantages to having two so close in age. My oldest will be too young to remember being an only, and the kids will be at similar stages at the same time, so we can enroll them in the same activities and they can more easily play together. I actually am not worried about the newborn + toddler stage as it is intense, but passes quickly and there are lots of people who want to help out. It's the younger toddler + older toddler stage (when they are 1 &2) that I wonder about. Still easier than twins I'd imagine!



Q: You are still breastfeeding? How does that work?

A: Well, our bodies are pretty smart and it just sort of adjusts. Yes, its entirely safe for everyone. I don't really know how it's going to evolve, but I wanted to nurse my daughter for the first year and am committed to doing that. If she decides to wean that's fine, and if she hangs on to it longer we'll work with it.



Q: What do you think was the factor(s) that lead to your pregnancy?

A: I don't really know. Things are more unexplained than ever now. There is no magic pill, or potion. I used to believe the golden egg theory and felt maybe there was some minor autoimmune related stuff going on with the mild endometriosis. I think now I just believe it is pure luck, but I strongly believe this pregnancy would not have been possible without the IVF one prior, but I will never know.

OK, so there you go. Any other questions, just send them my way and I'll do the best to give an open and honest answer.