A week ago, at my first Tribe de Mama meeting, I outed myself in front of 25 other women. I was the only person who shared that she’d struggled with fertility until the last person spoke. She was sitting almost directly opposite me and look me straight in the eye to say she could relate, but that she was the opposite. She said she had MRKH, and before she could explain what it was, I felt myself sigh as I pursed my lips in recognition.
MRKH is a syndrome in which a girl is born without a uterus. She has ovaries and eggs, but her vagina may be shorter than average. Through IVF and a gestational carrier, she may become a genetic mother. And when the girl learns this, it’s usually at the worst time — in the middle of her teenage years after the doctor runs tests to figure out why she hasn’t started her period yet.
I watched this young woman explain her infertility to the group. Unlike mine, hers affects her most intimate parts, and I was filled with admiration. Something about the way she spoke made me suspect she was new at sharing this side to her, so afterwards I went up to her to say hello.
She had tears in her eyes when I told her I have a friend with MRKH and know how unusual it is (I recall 1/5,000 girls are born with it). I had been right. It was the first time she had shared any of this with the group. She said she was inspired by my openness, and it made me feel good that sharing my story had given someone else the courage to do the same.
♥
In a week’s time, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) begins, and I’m going to come out on Facebook that DH and I struggled to have our sweet baby.
I don’t want to announce publicly that we used donor eggs. The specifics are deeply personal and that part of the story isn’t ours alone to share.
But I do want to share that we struggled with infertility.
I want to let friends, family, and acquaintances know that if they, too, are struggling and would like to share their burden in confidence, that I will read/listen, because I’ve been there. They are not alone.
I want to let people know that once you’ve been painted with the infertility brush, it doesn’t go away just because you have a baby.
I want to say, Fuck the shame! Why do we feel ashamed that we need medical help to conceive when we wouldn’t feel shame about, say, our thyroid not working, or taking statins, or topical steroid creams?
I want to out myself because in less than two weeks I have a piece of art in the ART of Infertility exhibition that I’ve put my real first and last names to.
If we’re friends on Facebook and you feel comfortable doing so, please show your support by sharing your struggle or Liking my status update. I have a feeling most people will stay silent, either ashamed for me or for themselves.
torthuil says
It is wonderful to read about your moment of connection in your group. And I am impressed with you for planning to share. There should be no shame! :-) In Canada our IF awareness week is in May (I think) and I am still thinking about what to do. If you want to add me on Facebook you can send me an email (torthuil@gmail.com). I forget if I’ve shared my real name? :-p My security settings are pretty high so I’m not sure how searchable I am but there must be a way to figure it out :-D
josey says
I am quite positive you will have a better response than you are anticipating. Every single time I’ve written anything / shared anything for NIAW on my FB page, I’ve been astounded by the outpouring of support – both by people who have experienced the ALI journey themselves or who are now learning that someone whom they love did.
heidi says
I would like to be your friend on Facebook to like and share my story. You should not be embarrassed. Ever. You are brave. Xoxo how do I find you?
Lauren says
Oh, cool! Thank you so much <3 I'll send you an email xo
arwenrosemrkh says
Love you Xxxx
Lauren says
It is requited! xoxo