I became a mother at 4:33 p.m. on a Tuesday. It was a short delivery, via cesarean. Our little one flipped in the last week of pregnancy and was breeched. This was far from the natural, unmedicated birth with dim lighting and classical music that I had envisioned, but it was our safest option. IContinue reading “A New Mom”
This is the sixth and finally installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, three, four, and five. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle I had often imagined that if and when I finally received that positive pregnancyContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 6 – A New Path Forward”
This is the fifth installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, three, and four. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. There was no plan after the third IUI. If it didn’t work, we wouldn’t be able toContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 5 – The Final Test”
This is the fourth installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, and three. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Our third round of IUI would be our last in Chicago. We had always intended to depart fromContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 4 – The Third IUI”
This is the third installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one and two. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. They say athletes should have short-term memories. To continue after a setback, you must forget the failure. You canContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 3 – The Second IUI”
This is the second installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read part one here. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Early into our relationship, before we were ready to try conceiving, I made a declaration. “If we can’t have aContinue reading “Fertility Story – Part 2: The First IUI”
This is the first installment of six about our struggles with infertility. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Part 1 As part of my wedding to-do list, I called my gynecologist and made an appointment to remove my IUD. My husband andContinue reading “Fertility Story – Part 1: The Diagnosis”
Chicago was a curve ball. In the winter of 2014, after returning home from my Peace Corps service in Lesotho, I took a non-profit job in Washington, D.C., and relocated to the nation’s capital. As a wander lusting youth, I had long hoped to end up on the East Coast, and there I was, inContinue reading “Goodbye, Chicago”
Kids are my favorite types of humans. When in a room with adults and young children, I gravitate towards the little ones. In many social situations, I find that I often drink, eat, or talk too much because I am anxious. I am often afraid that I will say something stupid or be judged forContinue reading “Mismatched Socks”
In the weeks leading up to graduation, many of my classmates were interviewing and negotiating full-time jobs, for many their first salaried, benefited position. A few big life changes hung in the balance, and I couldn’t apply for anything until I knew what direction I was headed in. Plus, after three tough years and preparingContinue reading “Being Productive”
Heather M. Mangan