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Overcoming Secondary Infertility

Hi friends,

Hope you are doing well!  It’s been a whirlwind full of joy and anxiety especially after going through the losses we had with our previous miscarriages. For two years I experienced secondary infertility and we didn’t know why until we visited a fertility doctor and saw the root of our problem. After taking accountability of my own health I was able to make the changes I needed to conceive two natural back to back pregnancies resulting in to two beautiful baby girls. For more details on how I overcame secondary infertility read more below!

Overcoming Secondary Infertility

Alright guys,

In order to get the full concept of this story I have to start from the beginning with my first pregnancy. At that time my I was on a health kick, training for fitness competitions, and I wasn’t on birth control for years because I didn’t want it to interfere with my fitness goals. I ended up getting pregnant “unplanned” after a fitness competition with my first son. Because me and my husband at the time were unprepared, not married, living with my parents, I decided after having my son to get on the IUD Mirena birth control.

For four years I was on the IUD. It was so effective I didn’t even have a period once during those four years, which for me was a plus, because who likes having a period right? Well when we decided we were ready to have another little one we got pregnant again quickly after removing my birth control. However unfortunately that ended in my first miscarriage in the first trimester of my pregnancy.

 Six months after that ordeal we decided to meet with a very well known fertility specialist in Houston who unfortunately retired last year. During her check up she saw that my endometrial lining was so thin that it was preventing me from keeping a baby. Now it made sense to why I hadn’t been getting my period with my IUD, even with it out it had created long lasting negative affects to my body. We decided to go with the least invasive procedure to remedy the situation by doing progesterone treatments.

After several months of the treatment I got pregnant again, but unfortunately it also ended in a miscarriage. My lining had gotten thicker but wasn’t thick enough. My doctor assured me it would take time for my body to heal itself. but I was mentally  and emotionally exhausted. I needed a break.

I prayed so hard and gave it to God to guide me during this time of unknown. I came to peace with myself and decided just to focus on being a healthier me and if we get pregnant naturally then that would be amazing, but we weren’t going to stress ourselves over it.

During this time I started to research natural ways to build up my endometrial lining. I focused on changing my diet and eating healthier, as well as getting active to create blood flow in that area. I also added to my diet these fertility supplements. Within two months of taking these supplements along with my diet and exercise I became pregnant. I remember not thinking it was possible at the time, so I was shocked when I took that pregnancy test. I shared more about that moment in this post.

It’s crazy to look back at those two years where I struggled with secondary infertility, and to see me know with two more healthy babies. God does provide. I refuse to be on birth control knowing what it did to me. Now we use other protection and family planning methods that are less invasive and damaging to my body. I still continue to take fertility supplements even postpartum, and continue to stay active and eat healthy.

I know not everyone story is the same, but I highly suggest if you are experiencing secondary infertility after having no problem your first pregnancy to check your hormones, check your body, and check your birth control. If it were up to me I would recommend against any invasive birth control. I hope my story helps someone else who is going through this, and know you are not alone. Don’t lose hope and trust in God’s plan for you.

I wore this maternity dress when I was pregnant with Ella in this post. I loved it so much I decided to rewear it for this photoshoot. Check out the full photo session below!

Thankful for my family and for all of you who have read my story.

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Photos by BanAvenue Photography

secondary infertility, infertility, birth control, miscarriage

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Overcoming Fear and Anxiety During Pregnancy

maternity photos, maternity dress, tulle dress, maternity photo shoots

Hi friends,

Hope you are having a great week! Today I wanted to share these beautiful maternity photos I took before my baby shower, and share my thoughts on overcoming fear and anxiety during pregnancy, especially after experiencing pregnancy loss prior to this pregnancy. It’s definitely something I battle with everyday. Making it to my third trimester is something to be celebrated. Read more below on what has helped me overcome fear and anxiety during pregnancy.

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Overcoming Fear and Anxiety During Pregnancy

With this pregnancy versus my first I have taken advantage of all the fun maternity photoshoots because I know I will enjoy these memories to look back to. And more so since I have experienced loss. It’s been a constant battle to not let my fears and anxiety take over and ruin the joys of being pregnant. My first twenty weeks were the hardest. I bought my own personal baby doppler just so I could listen to the baby’s hear beat everyday. It gave me daily reassurance knowing she was still thriving in my belly.

Another thing that helped was sharing my fears and anxiety with my friends and fellow mamas who had experienced the same loss as me, and or were going through the same thing with their pregnancy. I feel like having friends who can relate and confide to helped me so much in calming my fears and anxiety. As much as I loved confiding with my husband, it wasn’t the same as another mom who has been through it.

I also prayed everyday during this pregnancy. I prayed for guidance, reassurance, and also just to thank God for getting me through the day. Knowing that I couldn’t control everything, I had to leave it to God and have faith that whatever happened was for a reason. And that regardless I would be thankful for everything I have been lucky to have so far in this pregnancy. My faith has always been the biggest factor in me getting through some of the hardest things in my life. Faith over fear is my mantra through life. Also being a mom, and having losses has made me stronger as a person. It’s true when they say you never know true strength until you become a mother.

It can be easy to let fear and anxiety ruin such an exciting time in you life. Pregnancy is not easy. There is so much to worry about, and it doesn’t get any easier after having the baby either. But I have found that in order to truly appreciate life, this pregnancy, and all it has to offer I had to stop worrying about the what ifs, the things I couldn’t control. Instead I focused on celebrating the little things, buying baby clothes, having a baby shower, capturing these moments with beautiful maternity shoots, planning a nursery, ect.

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SHOP OUTFIT:

We found this small corner with these gorgeous arched windows and the lighting was just stunning. These maternity photos are a beautiful reminder of everything I have been through. I’m so thankful I was able to capture these. I know I will miss this stage of my pregnancy when it’s over. I hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for stopping by!

30 Week Pregnancy Update

Baby In Bloom Baby Shower

Pregnancy Q&A

Gender Reveal

Pregnancy Announcement

 

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Photos by BanAvenue Photography

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Family

5 Things To Help Cope with A Miscarriage – Our Miscarriage Story

Hey friends,

Hope y’all are having a great week! Today I am getting personal with ya’ll and sharing an update on our pregnancy. A month ago we announced early knowing there was a possibility it wasn’t a viable pregnancy. After weeks of many doctor visits, waiting it out, and trying all options we ended up having to get a D&C last week to end the pregnancy. I ended up having a last minute surgery the day before me and my mom’s trip to New York with Bio Oil. It was a whirlwind, and honestly I feel like I haven’t had a chance to finally stop and really process everything until these past couple of days since my husband has been home. Today am finally sharing our miscarriage story plus five things that have helped me cope with my first miscarriage. October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and hopefully sharing my story can help someone out there who is going through the same thing or has gone through the same thing feel like they are not alone, and also help them in the process.

Continue reading “5 Things To Help Cope with A Miscarriage – Our Miscarriage Story”

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