“I’m thankful for my struggle because, without it, I wouldn’t have discovered my strength.”
Infertility sucks. It can be so isolating and heartbreaking, but every day I am grateful for these cards I have been dealt because without them I would never have known how truly strong I am. All women are strong, but our SGF community is a special kind of strong…we are #SGFstrong.
What does being #SGFstrong mean for a couple who is TTC?
The moment you decide you want to “start trying” for a baby is also the moment you want it to actually happen. When the months go by and you’re still not pregnant, your heart will start to feel heavy. I did what every TTC woman does, tracked ovulation, took my temperature, put my legs up after sex, read everything about trying to conceive, and yet it still didn’t happen. Calling to schedule a consultation with a fertility specialist can be overwhelming. It took me months to muster up the courage to make that call. I kept thinking if I just keep “trying” it’ll happen and I’ll never need treatment. Infertility treatment isn’t a journey anyone chooses, but the day I made that call to Shady Grove Fertility, I became #SGFstrong. It’s the first brave step on the path to parenthood. The path is full of unknowns, but being #SGFstrong means nothing will stop you.
Current Patients are #SGFstrong
When I first came to SGF, I was terrified of needles. I was so scared, that I sobbed in monitoring the first time I had a baseline blood draw. The staff did everything they could to make me comfortable over the following weeks of monitoring appointments. Each appointment I got a little braver and now I can even sit in the normal blood draw chair. As treatment progressed, I needed injectable medication. #SGFstrong is standing in your kitchen, crying because you’re scared, and still putting that needle in your own belly. Never in a million years, did I EVER think I would be able to give myself injections, but I found my strength at Shady Grove Fertility. I found my strength through the amazing monitoring staff, my compassionate physician (shout out to Dr. Doyle), and through all my SGF Sisters.
To my SGF Sisters: we see each other every morning waiting for blood draws and normally none of us speak, but we help make each other #SGFstrong. Your strength motivates me. Your quiet bravery radiates off you like the sun. Thank you for perusing your dream of becoming a Mom because it inspires me. You’re amazing and I’m proud to be your SGF Sister.
Former Patients are #SGFstrong
You’re already the BEST Moms because of your infertility journey. #SGFstrong is about sharing your journey. As a current patient, reading success stories and seeing photos of adorable miracle babies helps keep me going. Share your story. Share your advice. Just stay connected with your SGF Sisters. Infertility mostly feels like no one understands, but you’re the special group that actually does understand. Thank you for showing current patients that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Also let’s face it, SGF miracle babies are the cutest babies in the world.
If your SGF road didn’t happen to lead to parenthood, you are #SGFstrong without a doubt. Your grit and resilience are awe-inspiring to us all. You picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, and are relentlessly brave in the face of a different future than you had originally imagined. For that, we all admire you.
We are all #SGFstrong. We share a special type of strength that we all have found on different steps of our journeys. I’m still waiting on my positive beta, but until then I keep fighting. Parenthood is possible and I will always be #SGFstrong and you will, too.
Remember to connect with your SGF Sisters on Facebook and Instagram. Use the hastag #SGFstrong and share your photos, advice for SGF Sisters, and words of inspiration.
To learn more about #SGFstrong or to schedule an appointment with one of our reproductive endocrinologists, please call 1-877-971-7755 or click here to complete this brief online form.
