Interview With an Ovaryachiever

Interview with an Ovaryachiever

A few months ago, I had the honor of attending an event devoted to infertility and relationships. It was an exclusive invite by a woman who has not only inspired me, but she has also opened my eyes to becoming your own advocate. Speaking my truth and listening to my body have not always been easy. After hearing more about her story though, I have no other choice.

Who is this mystery lady you ask? Her name is Andrea Syrtash, and she is an “Ovaryachiever” just like me (her term, not mine). She is most known for being an expert on love, has authored many books, has been a contributor on countless TV shows including Oprah’s OWN, Good Morning America, The View and more. Most recently, she started an online lifestyle magazine for infertility.

Yes, she, like so many of us, seem to have it all. But, she too has gone through what 1:8 couples go through. That dirty little word…infertility. With all of her struggles she decided to take to Facebook and finally post about what she had been hiding since 2012. The responses she received were truly touching and the comments kept pouring in! They grew by the numbers and she had an idea. Pregnantish, the one and only online lifestyle magazine focused on infertility. Andrea realized that there is so much out there that talks about the science of it all, but not the actual “living” through it. The financial obligations, strains it puts on relationships and the spiritual pull. It becomes so much of your everyday life that it is truly part of your lifestyle. I can’t tell you how my lifestyle has changed since I started this process. It’s like I have been pregnant for 2 years with none of the rewards. Andrea totally gets this, hence the word Pregnant-ish.

As someone who personally knows how hard it is to navigate the muddy waters of infertility, I was instantly excited and couldn’t wait to learn more. Andrea was kind enough to jump on the phone with me prior to the event to help me better understand her journey and how dear to her heart this publication is.

She herself has been through countless IVF attempts, surgery after surgery, transfers, hundreds if not a thousand shots, pills, potions and the emotional trauma of coping with it all.

Someone recently told me they understand what I am going thru. I think until you live with the fear that you may never be a mother, you’ll never truly understand. Not to say people can’t be supportive, or understand that it must be painful, but I don’t think you can full get the gravity of it all until you live it.

Andrea has been sharing her story along with others to help educate and elevate this conversation around infertility. She wants everyone to know that there are resources and a real community of people struggling just like me (or you). At the event, I mentioned when beginning this post, she and others on a panel answered questions around their individual experiences. We also watched a documentary about 2 couples and a lesbian who were painfully trying to fulfill the void of parenthood by going thru IVF. The documentary is called “Vegas Baby“.  It is on Netflix if anyone is interested.

So many have positive outcomes – I feel we will too. But meanwhile, all of those questions we can’t seem to find answers for; How can my friends/family better support me, what IVF is really like, what to do with leftover embryos, how to choose a doctor, how to be a single mom, how to cope with miscarriage, etc., you now have a real place to explore and get answers.

As I continue down what seems like the longest journey of my life (more here), I am so thankful to have met Andrea and others who have similar stories and who really get what it’s like to live this every day. Pregnantish has opened my eyes and taught me things I never knew. It is a go-to resource. Anyone dealing with any type of fertility issues, go read it now. And don’t forget, y’all are amazing. Keep fighting and don’t give up. We are all in this together.