Babies, opinions, options...ugh!

So, I'm sure you've all heard by now about the mom who had octuplets last week. She and her story have been all over the news. She recently had an interview on the TODAY show on NBC, and on DATELINE. I was so compelled to watch. I went to see what she had to say, what her doctors told her, and how she manages all 14 children she has now. She explained how she went through IVF to have all of her children. She wanted a big family. Her doctor implanted 6 embryos each time, and now she has 14 children.
UGH!
Now there are people all over this country and other countries around the world that have comments, or should I say criticism. Criticism not only of the fact that she has 14 children, she is a single mother, but criticism of infertility treatments in general. I am disgusted by some peoples comments. I am disheartened by the limited knowledge people have about infertility, but yet they can still comment. Don't get me wrong, I am not so sure I agree with her decisions. It is all the criticism of infertility that her story has raised that upsets me.

As a person who has dealt with infertility I am finding the whole thing very troubling! It is disturbing because because I think it puts a very false impression out there about what infertility is and about how it's handled. It's just a much more thought out process and highly regulated and I just don't think most people realize what all goes into it. How much forethought and care go into each and EVERY decision. It is more than just deciding to do fertility treatments. It is more than just deciding to have a baby.

It is more than just going in one day for a procedure and then you are pregnant.

There are blood tests.
There are medications.
There are procedures.
There are appointments.
There are dates, times, specifics.
There are therapy sessions.
There are shots.
There is waiting.
There is second guessing your decision.
There is "Why us" or "why me".
There is heartache.
There is discussions about things you can't even imagine!
There is hope.
There is prayer.
There is love.

I know there are people who disagree with fertility treatments, and while they are entitled to their opinions, I don't understand why.

To me, to us, we thank God for the opportunity to even have a family.

Thank you to all the wonderful people at The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services.