New Season brings new hope for IVF Families

Spring is coming (soon I hope) and Easter has just passed.  It’s the time of year to feel renewed, reborn and even the season for new babies!

As the winter clothes come off and we no longer need to bundle under heavy coats, it becomes clear that those women who had hoped to become pregnant, are not.  It’s true, that while we judge pregnant women like Kim K. for gaining too much weight, there are women aching to have that round belly!  We also have a tendency to stare at the empty bellies of women who we believe are trying to get pregnant.  I know that I’ve been on the receiving end of this ritual, but I have also been guilty of thinking “is she, isn’t she” to my friends or family.  The added pressure from outside influences certainly doesn’t make an already emotional situation any easier and in fact, it can make it much worse for the woman and for the couple going through infertility. 

As we enter a new season, my heart is full knowing that a member of my family is pregnant with a miracle after a year of tests and fertility visits.  But another part of me is also feeling frustrated, that as we enter this season of new life, my dear friends are starting their journey through IVF for the second time.

One of the best pieces of advice that I have to offer my friends is to reach out and find others who are going through the same situation or have been there.  One of those resources is a the Conceivable Dreams Facebook Group.  I’m inspired everyday with the honesty with which women share their stories- the good, the bad and the unimaginable.  Not only are these women connecting to share and support each other, they are also helping to make change for themselves and others who require IVF to become parents.  The blogs that are written and shared among the women are both heart wrenching and inspiring as they share their journey to motherhood.

I’m so proud to be part of the blogging team at Conceivable Dreams, along with my friend Karma.  Conceivable Dreams is a grass roots organization whose purpose for being is too bring awareness and direction to those responsible for making the big decisions, namely the provincial government.  Their campaign, OHIP4IVF, is focused on getting the Ontario Government to fund the costly procedure for wannabe parents.  IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments are very expensive and don’t come with any guarantees of actually becoming pregnant.  However, for those who have been trying for months and in some cases years, IVF may be their last hope.

Other provincial jurisdictions have funded IVF treatments with amazing stats- reducing the overall medical and health related costs for mothers and babies.  Imagine the impact on our health care system if we could ensure single embryo transfers and reduce the risk of high risk pregnancies and multiples.  The Ontario government needs to pay attention to the changing landscape of our families and support IVF treatments with our OHIP system. 

I know that there are so many misconceptions about infertility and unless you have been through it or know someone, you might also believe these myths.  This great article helps to clear up those beliefs that are unfounded.

The time is now, to speak up and let our new Premier know that it is time to listen to women and families as we watch the rates of infertility climb each year.  I’m honoured to lend my voice to help couples like us, who need their government to listen.  

Times have changed…

*I am sharing this as a member of the Conceivable Dreams blog team, and have been compensated for this post. Opinions are all my own.