A Journey to Motherhood: "I Am More Than My Diagnosis"
Infertility is a personal challenge for many. Did you know infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. today? To help spread awareness, we've partnered with Monique Farook to share her personal journey through infertility and diagnosis.
It's 2012, and I am 29 years old, a first-time homeowner in a well-respected neighborhood, married, and a fur momma. Some would say my husband and I lived the ideal life and were in our prime. But what was lurking behind the shadows, I could never have predicted. We had been married for two years and together as a couple for four years. The urge to pursue motherhood began and after a year of trying naturally, I knew something was wrong. Infertility was not prevalent on either side of my family.
I went a few weeks later to have an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) test to determine my reproductive organs' health. I enter a large room with white walls and a cold metal table that I lay on. I stared intensely at the monitor that would display my future. The radiologist and her team were very precise, wasting no time getting started. The contrast material travels through my vaginal canal, cervix, uterus, and, lastly my left fallopian tube. I feel pressure as the radiologist tests my right fallopian tube again. Fate was determined before I arrived; I had a right tubal blockage. Devastated is an understatement. As the radiologist techs left the room giggling, I could not help but wonder if they were laughing at me.
Four years go by, and we have not gotten pregnant. We were worn at this point by the countless letdowns, month after month, year after year. I located a new RE (reproductive endocrinologist) and made my consultation appointment. This time, the HSG test determined both of my tubes were open, a relief. I went for my second consult and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and uterine polyps. In my mind, just another roadblock. Off I went to have the uterine polyps removed by my Ob/GYN and a three-month plan to increase thyroid levels with a medication called Levothyroxine. August of 2016, I became pregnant after two IVF cycles.
My path to motherhood was a journey I never could have imagined. We cannot control all of what happens to us in life, but we can control how we navigate it. Most of all, thrive along the way.
Namaste friend,
Monique
Monique can be found on Instagram creating fertility related content @infertilityandmepodcast
