Have you guys seen the amount of TV couples making public their issues with infertility??? Its about time people! I think it is a sideline to the fact that so many couples are now famous because of reality TV that they show one part of their life, say they are going to get pregnant on TV and then oooops, they are stuck explaining to a stunned audience that sometimes women in their 30's can't get pregnant easily. For example, has anyone seen Giuliana and Bill on Style? They are showing their TTC journey including IUI, IVF, and a miscarriage from her first IVF. I'm to the point where I want to email her to give her some of the information that the rest of us have researched for the last who-knows-how-many-years! I hope she found the internet and the fertiltiy boards! Then, another blogger commented on a TLC show, The Little Couple and how after several attempts at an egg retrieval to transfer embryos into a gestational carrier, Jen is being confronted with the fact that in her mid-to-late thirties (I think she is 36 or 37) she doesn't make a lot of eggs...I heard she had 2 follicles, I think. I missed the episode.
I will say this, I am surprised that women in their mid to late thirties expect to get pregnant easily as is suggested by these shows. I guess I always thought that once I hit that dreaded 35 I was in trouble...and I never wanted kids early. I was thinking 30 or 32...but had my first at 35. Maybe I knew something bodily that I didn't really know? who knows? But, is our culture giving the impression that it is easy for women in their late thirties to get pregnant? I know it happens, but it seems that more times than not, it is way more difficult. Even doctors point out that if you are under 35 and TTC, go see a doctor if, after a year, you don't get pregnant. If you are 35+, give it 6 months. They assume you have an issue....
Anyway, has anyone else seen these shows? what do you think?
Sorry this post is a mess, I just edited it and it barely makes sense to me...but, I was in a rush:-)
10 comments:
Hi Sue! I started watching G and B this season too (I just put a blog up about the show a week or so ago.) I feel the same way....someone out there is giving women the impression that they can have kids in their late 30's, even 40's with no problem. I admit, I kinda thought that too which is why I didn't start trying until I was 30...now I am 32 and still not pregnant. Thinking that you can get pregnant at any age is really a bad thing. I got a few old episodes of G and B from last season and was stunned when she was shocked when she didn't conceive with her IUI's...it was like she just thought it would happen with no problems. She has to understand that she is in her late 30's and her best child-bearing years are way behind her. My FSH was like a 1.7 when I first started trying 2.5 years ago, not it is like a 4.6. Just goes to show how much that changes in just a few short years. Anyways, thanks for your post....I completely agree!!! There are some major misconceptions regarding fertility out there.
Oh funny you posted this! I just set the DVR to record these starting this week!! LOL DH was like what is Georgie and Bill?! Ha! I said "Giuliana and Bill and they are going through IVF and sharing their story!"
We agree, it is about damn time people! I am AMAZED, the more I've been open with people about our struggles, the more I've learned SO MANY other people who have had challenges, too. I'm glad TV is catching up to reality, finally!
Oh and BTW, how is the weather your way?! We are driving over on Friday...trying to decide which interstate to take. Would prefer to not end up stranded overnight!
It's sad that reality TV is hitting on such a shattering issue: that society hasn't really conveyed to women that fertility drops dramatically as we enter our 30's.
We think we're impervious to age and time...but we're not. Maybe reality TV will inspire more women/couples to keep an eye on their "ticking clocks" a bit more closely.
At 46, I wish I had.
I know! I have a friend who is 46 and thought that if she wanted to have a baby she could. Her circumestances have changed and now she isn't going to have a baby, but it amazes me that she thought it would just happen like poof, into thin air she would be pg! Craziness!
I've been following The Little Couple's journey. I cried for Jen when they got the call their second cycle was cancelled. I too want to e-mail her and tell her about some other clinics that are more aggressive.
I am so glad to see it becoming something that people are talking about. It shouldn't be a taboo topic. Without anyone talking about it it makes it harder to educate yourself properly.
I haven't seen that show, but when my DH and I were first ttc (the "old fashioned" way) and I had two 1st trimester miscarriages at age 40+, my mom commented "Gee, I don't know why you'd have any trouble getting pregnant, NOBODY in our family ever had any trouble getting pregnant." I said, Gee, mom, nobody was over 40 at the time either." And when she saw that E.lizab.eth Edward.s was 61 and had an 8 year old, even now, my mom wondered how she got pregnant "at her age." Some people just can't imagine pregnancy occurring any other way.
It's so interesting that you bring this up. I am glad to see though that there are people out there going through the same thing.
I've been watching Giuliana and Bill, and YES... I want to write that girl a letter!! I want to tell her to go to CCRM before she gives up on TTC and starts looking into adoption! Maybe all us CCRM alumni can get together and write her a big letter. :)
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