Second baby announcements hurt too. There, I said it. Here I am making peace with the idea of being a mom of one for the rest of my life. As I grieve being a “one and done” mother, I can't help feeling beyond grateful for my only child. Six years have passed, and my heart still shrinks when I remember that I almost didn't have a chance to have him at all.
The surprise, the uncertainty, the anxiety, the quest for a second opinion, and a third one. All the testing, the agony of waiting for results of fertility testing, the shock and confusion when receiving them: low anti-mullerian hormone, high follicle-stimulating hormone, low sperm morphology, low progesterone, high estrogen, adrenal glands not functioning well either, overall hormonal imbalance …
At 32, I was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve.
My body was acting like I was 10 or 12 years older. It was preparing for menopause and I was not. The numbers were not promising and neither were my doctors. I knew in my heart that I was going to have a baby. How? No idea.
Suddenly I was on a new mission. I had no time to waste. I put my brain, heart, and eggs to work.
Like a mom does everything she can for her child, just that I had not even conceived yet and I didn't know if I would ever be able to do so.
I wiped my tears, rolled my sleeves, and took charge of my fertility. I devoted myself to researching how to fight my diagnosis. I looked online, visited doctors, health coaches, alternative therapists, talked to friends and family, and deconstructed traditional home remedies.
I found a wealth of invaluable tips and resources specific to my situation. I tried it all (except for eating liver. I would do it now if I had to).
During the frustration of getting my period every month — sometimes twice a month — the promise of motherhood kept my heart going.
I adopted new nourishing habits and made changes to my overall lifestyle and mindset that prepared my body, mind, and spirit for optimal fertility and improved my chances of getting pregnant.
I tried everything: detoxed my body, mind, and spaces, ate all the right foods, took all the supplements, exercised but not too much, slowed down, slept more, and prayed relentlessly.
Four months later, with the aid of timed intercourse, faith, and divine mercy, it worked.
I was able to conceive naturally. I am a natural fertility success story against all odds. I became more fertile and conceived naturally by taking a noninvasive natural approach. I even enjoyed the bonus of an extremely “fast and easy” childbirth. Thank God.
In my case, a thorough diagnosis and mindfulness made all the difference.
With the thorough diagnosis of my reproductive endocrinologist, the extensive research I did, the help and guidance of my health and wellness coach, and a fertile mindset, I embarked on a mindful journey to health and received the gift of a lifetime.
As a message of hope — no matter if you are trying for your first child or the next one — naturally or assisted, please know that anything is possible. My son and I are living proof.
