Infertility Awareness BBQ

It's that time of year again... Infertility Awareness week and the annual Victoria Fertility Clinic BBQ. I really wanted to attend, even though I knew it would be a big day with four hours of total driving time for both kids and me being just 3 weeks postpartum. DH was working, so I roped my 19 year old sister into coming along to help chase my toddler and off we went. The weather was not co-operative, so they held the event indoors but had it very well organized to accommodate the approximately 350 people. It was so nice to meet some new faces and see some familiar ones as well.  I didn't have much time to chat or catch up, and it kind of felt like a blur, but I'm glad we made the effort to go.  After a slow journey back with multiple stops and a chorus of crying overtired babies, we made it home in one piece, so all in all, I consider it a success.

I felt like a bit of an imposter there at times walking around with my new little guy. I guess I awkwardly straddle the infertile and fertile worlds but don't truly fit in either one. I know it's not like my kids have a big stamp on them saying "IVF" and "DIY" but all of the clinic staff and my counselor knew our story. The acupuncturist wasn't in the loop, and she did a double take.  One woman I sat next to had a 7 week old baby and commented that she is aiming to have another one as soon as possible and she as glad to see it was possible. She asked me if I had to get a new referral and if there was a wait to see the doctor again. I am terrible at telling lies, so I fessed up and came out and told her that my son was a surprise spontaneous pregnancy after a convoluted journey to have our daughter. I felt incredible guilty at that point, even though she seemed happy but surprised to hear my response.

They took a group photo of all of the kids that were there. I noticed that some of the people who attended who are still in the active treatment stage found this extremely hard. Kudos to them for attending in the first place. Just a couple of years ago that was me. That feeling of wanting a family so badly but not being able to have it is still near and dear to my heart. I guess I still relate to the infertile world better that the fertile one in that regard. I don't know how it could be made any easier aside from reaching out to help support others in their journey, wherever that may be. They had a petition for IVF government funding and some fundraisers for people who need fertility treatment because of having cancer. Every little bit of support counts. It's such a great reminder of why I truly feel like the luckiest woman alive to have two beautiful healthy little children in my life.

Photo (from Elements of Health Centre) We are in black and white on the floor in the lower left corner: