Author Archives: haleybartsch

Our third IVF cycle in Calgary left us with two frozen embryos. Something I have come to realize is that you’re never really sure how far you’ll go to have a baby until the time comes when you need to make a decision. In our minds, this was our last attempt at having a biologicalContinue reading “The End of the Endo”

I took a little hiatus from blogging this month. I celebrated a birthday, had four Christmas parties, many Christmas get-togethers, and a trip to Montana. We returned just in time to spend Christmas with our families and enjoy some downtime at home. When I sat down to write this post, I planned to write aboutContinue reading “You’re stronger than you think”

In August 2016, after our 3rd IVF failed, we decided to take a break from all things fertility related. This decision was not made lightly.  Taking a break was something we needed for our mental, physical, and emotional health, but it’s hard to walk away from something that is all consuming… something that we want so badly. I reflected on that year for this post; I hadn’tContinue reading “Taking a Break”

When you have been living with infertility for as long as we have, you hear a lot of stories, tips, tricks, suggestions, and opinions. I will start by saying I realize the things I write in this post are things that people have said to try and help. Everyone has a story or knows someone who has a story. And when you have unexplained infertility,Continue reading “Things People Say…”

In July of 2016 we set out for our third round of IVF in Calgary. After our initial meeting in February, the doctor prescribed me a heavier medication cycle in hopes I would have a better response. We had to move to Calgary for a week while they monitored my follicle growth. We rented a hotel suite and toured around Calgary and area whenever we weren’t at appointments. TheContinue reading “Calgary”

Our second round of IVF had been identical to our first. We were feeling frustrated; there had been no change to our medication protocol and no additional testing had been requested. My OBGYN referred us to a clinic in Calgary in hopes that they could investigate further and offer a new plan. Waitlists for fertilityContinue reading “Diamond Judy”

Infertility itself is hard, but there are many everyday things that are made difficult or challenging that many may not realize. Going into new social situations.  Because of the inevitable question, “Do you guys have kids?”  I have been in several situations where after I answer “No, we don’t” or “We have two fur babies!”Continue reading “Things that are Hard”

Choosing a name for a blog is difficult… especially an infertility blog.  Every title that popped into my head was already being used.  The content of this blog is precious to me, so finding the right name was important.    The week after our miscarriage I started writing. It was just a word document with all my thoughts and feelings. I went back inContinue reading “Icing and Animal Crackers”

Our first round of IVF had failed.  My grandma was never going to get to meet her great-grandbaby.  There was an increased sense of urgency to conceive: Things had gone as well as we could have hoped for my mom in Vancouver, but her cancer was aggressively spreading into her lymph nodes.  I just wanted my mom to meet our baby.  I wanted our babyContinue reading “Deja Vu”

Infertility has a way of consuming every aspect of your life. Everywhere you look there are families, and pregnancy announcements, and newborn pictures. Appointments and ultrasounds and medications and tests become a way of life. I was going to share the story of our second IVF this week, but Thanksgiving has me reflecting on the things I am thankful for.  I have the most amazingContinue reading “Thankful”