Category: Pregnancy

Family Day with #IVF4BC

Posted in Marriage, moms, Pregnancy4 Comments

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This year is the first year that BC will celebrate Family Day on February 11th. Only, some families are missing key members, children. In a Province that advocates Families First, it might happen for couples who need a little help through treatments in vitro fertilization.
As many as 1 in 5 families are impacted by infertility, and most reasons are due to health issues. Currently, Quebec is the only province to publicly fund IVF. The savings on health care alone is the main reason for BC to look into public funding. Due to the high costs (up to $14,000) for IVF, couples often will have many embryos transferred at one time. Single embryo transfers have been proven to give the best results and better health outcome for mom and baby. When fewer multiple risk births occur, it is better for mom, baby and health care dollars.
Fertility declines as early as 28, an age when women in the workforce are generally not thinking about children. Personally, I was not thinking about making a family with my husband at that age. Nor did I expect that infertility would make me consider remortgaging our home to get IVF treatments like many couples do. It was when I met my girls that I realized how important it is to be their mom. I hope that every mom gets a chance to hold their own baby.
BC is a wonderful place to raise a family. There are so many great adventures to enjoy with your family. Is this the year that BC will get public funding for IVF?
Follow along on Twitter @ivf4bc to learn more and join the conversation. Also, read more about local couple Misty and Kevin’s IVF journey.

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Disclosure: I am a valued member of the #IVF4BC blog team. As such, I received compensation, but my opinion is my own.

Preggers Rant. What to say to a pregnant woman.

Posted in amotherworld.com, Marriage, Mommy minute, moms, Motherless Mama, Pregnancy1 Comment

I settle my two and four-year-old hungry daughters at the last available Starbucks table. I dish out the treats and pull out their waters from my bag. I sit myself in between them and exhale out loud. Sipping my coffee, I spy a very pregnant lady sitting at the table beside us looking at my girls.
I remember all too well that feeling of wanting to have the baby out. It’s the comments that came from random strangers that hurt the worst. Some of what I was told was:
You are so huge!
Better get your sleep now.
It’s just a myth you eat for two.
Is what you are eating good for the baby?
Both third trimesters were spent in extreme hot summers, everywhere I went: It must suck in this heat for you. (DUH!)
When all the while I ultimately wished I had said: “Don’t touch my belly unless I can touch yours!”
Since being a mom twice over, I feel a kinship to seeing expectant moms. My oldest knows to go open a door of a struggling mom. Nowadays, when I see a pregnant mom I say things that I wished I heard more of, like:
You look beautiful.
You are glowing.
You don’t look pregnant.
Your baby is lucky to have you as a mom
My girls finish their snacks and declare its play time. I pack us up and see the lady looking sad as she rubs her belly. I catch her eye and smile, “ Congratulations. You look amazing.” She beams a wary smile. “Really?” she asks hopefully. I nod emphatically.
Smile and pass it on is how we can support moms at all stages of parenthood.
Had I known that the baby stage would pass so quickly I would have hung onto it tighter. Having said that my youngest gives my legs a bear hug.I love this present.