Mum's post on her struggle to conceive is the most important thing you'll read today
For some, pregnancy happens fairly quickly after you decide to have a family; for others, it can be a process that can take months and even years, involving IVF and a whole host of procedures, sometimes without any success.
Highlighting her struggle to conceive a much longed for baby, Desiree Fortin took to the Love What Matters Facebook page to write an open letter to her infertility, to both bash and thank it for the incredible journey it took her on.
"You steal dreams. You break hearts. You bring grief. You consume lives," she wrote on the post.
"You are the reason I couldn’t get pregnant on my own.
"You drowned my heart in deep misery from the inability to become a Mother how most women do.
"You told me that my body wasn’t good enough. You may have been a huge part of my story, but you never defined me.
"And on this day, two years ago, I kicked your ass. I defeated you. I showed you there is victory in infertility and God finally planted life in my womb."
Desiree was ecstatic to learn that she was expecting not one but THREE babies following a very long journey, but the IVF route was not without pain.
"It wasn’t just that I couldn’t get pregnant. You brought me more tears than I ever thought I could shed," she continued.
"Because of you I laid on my bathroom floor in complete emptiness after countless negative pregnancy tests time and time again. I had to endure shots, bruises, and all kinds of meds because when you are infertile and you seek fertility treatment for help, that is what you are in for.
"You are expensive and exhausting physically, emotionally, and mentally. Infertility, you drowned my heart in disappointment and agony. And truthfully, it was pretty painful every time I heard the words “I’m pregnant” from someone other than myself. And yet, in the midst of all of that-you brought me hope."
However, despite her anger towards her infertility, the mum-of-three added that she is also thankful because it gave her a strength that she would not have otherwise.
"As much as I hated you, Infertility, I am also so thankful that you were my story. You made me strong.
"Even before I got pregnant, my strength was rising. Not only did I feel like Superwoman after all of those injections, meds, blood draws, doctor visits, etc. but I found strength emotionally, as well.
"I learned how to be brave and walk our story with faith trusting that God knew every single detail better than I did.
"I learned how to be courageous as my husband gave me a progesterone shot that hurt like you wouldn’t believe every single night for 2 months so I could get and stay pregnant. Infertility, you taught me that I am never alone in my darkest days.
"Never did I imagine I would be labelled as infertile.
"Nor did I imagine that we would seek fertility treatment. However, infertility, it is because of you that I get to be a Mom to Charlize, Sawyer, and Jax."
What an incredibly brave mum, and such an important read for anyone who doesn't understand the struggle many people go through to have a baby.