Our story...

So, our story of infertility started back in March of 2007. We decided to start trying for a child only after a year of marriage (but, we had already been together for 12 years). I always knew I wanted to be a mommy, but I never realized it would ever be so hard.

We were sent to Dr. Honea at the ART Fertility Program of Alabama in the summer of 2008. We had already tried various medicines, etc. with my regular OB-GYN before being referred. So... here's where the big roller coaster began. I was started on new, stronger fertility meds along with artificial inseminations. This was done for months, along with numerous doctor visits for bloodwork and ultrasounds. Each cycle started with excitement, hoping that "this time will finally work" and ending with devastation. I would hear these words from my nurse at the end of many months... "I am sorry to inform you that your pregnancy test was negative. So, the doctor wants to continue with your plan". I became so tired of hearing these words, and hearing about my "plan."

This infertility struggle consumed my thoughts and my life at times. I couldn't undertstand what was wrong, and why I couldn't get pregnant (especially considering that numerous tests were performed on Gerrad and I and each test showed that everything was normal). We were actually diagnosed with "unexplained infertility." I think it would have been somewhat easier had we known of something specific as the problem.

With our hopes fading and our insurance coverage of inseminations running out, we decided to move onto to injectibles in July of 2009. These were very costly, but much less expensive than IVF (which would have been our last option). So... July came with shots each day as well as doctor visits and ultrasounds. Once again, I received the same phone call at the end of that month that I had dreaded each and every time. So... Gerrad and I decided that we had had enough for a little while. I could not go on right then emotionally or physically.

The month of September came and my birthday was around the corner. We decided to spend my birthday weekend at the lake, one of our favorite spots to rest and relax. This was my 29th birthday, and this birthday is one I will NEVER forget. Gerrad persuaded me to take a pregnancy test on the Sunday after my birthday. So, with much hesitation and a TON of doubt, I did. When the plus sign showed up, I thought to myself ("this has to be a false positive because there's no way that I'm pregnant this month). Well, was I wrong. I went to the doctor that Tuesday for a beta pregnancy test, and found out I was 5 weeks pregnant!!!

So, here we are, almost 3 years later... 12 weeks pregnant... holding our breath and thanking God for this precious miracle!