Hello friends!
Today I’m honored to have Nathalie, founder and creator of Fertilust, an online website and community, here to share her journey with us. The Warrior Women Wednesday series is dedicated to help women (and men!) share their journey’s in a public forum in hopes that it will inspire another individual out there to feel less alone on their journey.
Thank you Nathalie for your bravery in sharing your journey with us! Without further adieu, meet Nathalie!
Tell us about your fertility journey.
Quite simply, here is my fertility journey in stats:
- 3 years of trying to conceive
- 2 unsuccessful IUIs
- 2 unsuccessful IVFs
- 2 major pity party episodes
- 5 reproductive endocrinologists
- 1 non-diagnosis of “unexplained”
- A third and successful IVF!
I could have (re)writen the cliché story of the girl (seemingly) frolics through life and (sort of) forgets to have a baby. Until it was (almost) too late. And then at 38 I found myself still trying…
Those that know me are aware that I suffer from eternal optimism and type A tendencies. It was disturbing that no amount of hope and planning could actually help create my desired outcome of having a baby.
I learned that although I couldn’t (and still) can’t control the future, I could do my part to optimize a successful outcome AND most importantly, could find happiness and peace in myself.
I spent hundreds of hours of research on nutrition, supplements, wellness, products to try to optimize the future possibility of having a baby. I started my blog as a leap of faith to put “it out there” knowing that the public would know about my challenges and that it might not be a success story.
After three IVF’s, I was lucky enough to have one embryo that took on my first-ever transfer resulting in a beautiful baby girl.
How many years did you try to get pregnant?
It felt like forever. One disappointing period after another for three years. It was annoying that after years of trying not to have children that I couldn’t when I was ready for it.
I tried everything that I could get my hands on, the apps, ovulation tests and the OvaCue simultaneously just to rule out any margin of error. At one point, I would have hung by my toenails if someone told me that would give me better odds…
How has infertility changed you?
Those that know me are aware that I suffer from eternal optimism and type A tendencies. As a result, I came to realize that there was no amount of hope and planning that could actually create my desired outcome. I learned that although I couldn’t (and still) can’t control the future, I could do my part to optimize a successful outcome through what I put in and on my body AND most importantly, could find happiness and peace in myself.
As I look back, I get goosebumps thinking about how my journey has evolved and I am so grateful for it; the highs, the lows, and the moments in between.
Without those moments, I know that I would have be less equipped to give selflessly and fully to a tiny human. Becoming a participant rather than a spectator was a game changer for me.
My personal experience with infertility also led me to a new career path to bridge the gap between companies/resources/products and the (in)fertility community, and supporting awareness and community through my blog, Fertilust.
What advice do you have to women with infertility?
Find an IVF mentor that you trust to support you on your journey. You might be surprised at how much someone who has been through this can help by providing support, resources and opening up other doors of community for you.
What is your favorite quote to pick you up?
Things happen for you, not to you.
What is your Favorite Warrior Song?
There are three and ironically they are all about breathing!
Breathe In by Toby Lightner – It should be the (in)fertility anthem!
Count to 10 by Tina Dico
Breathe by Telepopmusik
Favorite Healthy Recipe That Brings You Comfort?
Apple Pie Overnight Oats, the best way to start any morning! I also made the most incredibly decadent “healthy” chocolate (cacao) banana bread that I am obsessed with. I will be uploading the recipe shortly and I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you so much Nathalie for sharing your journey with us! We are sending you so much success on your journey and cannot wait to follow Fertilust along! To connect with Nathalie visit her at Fertilust.
Bio: Nathalie Carpenter has 18 years of luxury brand, retail and communications experience and recently left corporate America to pursue her own marketing consultancy to bridge the gap between brands/services and fertility. She also has a blog called Fertilust.com which creates (in)fertility awareness and provides resources.
During her fertility journey, Nathalie fell in love with nutrition and wellness, prompting her to pursue a Holistic Health Coach certification through the Nutrition School and a Plant Based Nutrition certification from Cornell. She has plans to pursue a graduate degree in the area of Food and Nutrition.
Nathalie lives in NYC with her 17-month old daughter and husband.