I will not be silent!

I am proud to speak out about infertility and I love my blogging community of fellow girls in the same boat. I think all of the below comments apply to me and to most of you...it's nice to know we are not alone in this struggle.

If you could make a little house from used pee sticks and OPKs.

If you talk in TTC acronyms nobody except people on the internet understand.

If you have ever been stuck with any needles in order to achieve pregnancy.

If you have had to stick yourself, or your husband has had to turn into your nurse in order to do it for you.

If you've ever seen a blank ultrasound screen.

If you know what a dildocam is.

If you have ever gotten shower invites, family photos, or birth announcements in the mail and had a good cry.

If you have watched someone go through an entire cycle of pregnancy in the time it took you to even try (make that 2 or 3 pregnancies!!!).

If you have ever heard "just relax" or "it's not your time" or "it's God's will".

If you dread holidays because you cannot announce a pregnancy to your family.

If you dread holidays because there are no children to share them with.

If you have ever held a baby or child and quietly pretended for a second that they're yours.

If you have ever walked around the store in order to avoid the baby/toddler section.

If you cannot park in the front spots of a store because they are for pregnant and expectant mothers only.

If you've ever had to go IN the baby/toddler section of a store in order to buy something for someone else's baby.

If you've ever yelled out during watching a movie or tv show about someone who's trying for a baby, "That's SO not realistic!".

If you've ever sat around with a group of women who shared birth stories and labor pains and felt like you didn't fit in.

If you've ever told anyone you are infertile and they're response was, "That sucks. I'm super fertile! I can have all the kids I want!".

If a fertile person ever told you that they would be your surrogate because they have no problem getting pregnant.

If you have ever gotten a shower invite through email while sitting at work trying to forget about TTC.

If you know what an RE is.

If you have ever graphed out your cycle on chart paper.

If you have ever checked to see if your cervical mucus was eggwhite or clear, or could stretch 5 inches between your fingers and you know people in the next stall over are thinking, "What is she doing in there?".

If you were disappointed that you couldn't find any.

If you have kept a HPT or OPK in your purse to use when you were at work or out just in case.

If you laugh when people tell you to use pillows under your butt after sex.

If you have picked out crib bedding or nursery decor online and you're not pregnant.

If you have ever felt panic when seeing a pregnant lady.

If you meet the criteria above, or you'd like to submit your own, please post the following award on your blog. This is for all of the women who will no longer be silent about their infertility. This is to remind you that you do not need to be ashamed and you are definitely not alone. This is to remind you to speak up the next time someone gives you fertility assvice. I nominate all my blog readers for this award. We are survivors! Thank you Kelly for speaking out!