My name is Sarah, and I want to share my journey with you – a journey of hope, heartache, and ultimately, a surprising turn towards joy.
My husband, Michael, and I had been trying to start a family for what felt like forever. After being diagnosed with PCOS, I dove headfirst into a healthier lifestyle, adopting a PCOS-friendly diet and regular exercise. Despite all our efforts, the dream of holding our baby seemed to slip further away.
Our lives took a drastic turn when Michael’s job required us to move to another state. Suddenly, we found ourselves living out of a hotel, our new diet consisting mostly of fast food. This was a tough time for us. We were just starting to heal from the pain of losing our first pregnancy, and then, heartbreakingly, we suffered a second loss while at our second hotel.
The constant moving took a toll on us. We lived between a campsite and the hotel, finally spending a week at my in-laws’ place when we realized this move wasn’t going to work out. Michael and I made a tough decision then – to stop trying for a baby. The emotional rollercoaster every month, the hope followed by despair, was too much. So, we decided to take a break, focus on ourselves, and wait until we were more financially stable.
That break brought unexpected relief. We spent time soaking in hot tubs, enjoying each other’s company without the pressure of trying to conceive. I grieved, we both did, and amidst the chaos of job hunting and settling down, we found moments of peace.
Then, something incredible happened. A month later, after allowing ourselves time to heal and let go of the stress, I took a pregnancy test. To our utter disbelief, it was positive. It seemed that in stepping away from the pressure and stress, in just living and loving, we had opened a door we thought was closed forever.
This journey taught me an invaluable lesson – the impact of stress on trying to conceive (TTC) is real. It’s important not to push yourself too hard, physically or mentally. Remember why you want to start a family and maintain a strong bond with your partner. While immediate results aren’t guaranteed, sometimes, letting go of the stress can make all the difference.