“Sometimes we make plans…and God laughs”
An old Yiddish proverb… which explains the truth that everyone can relate to. At each step of one’s life, we all make plans, establishing where we want to go and envisaging what we will be like when we have ‘arrived’. BUT things have a way of turning out not quite as we hoped or expected…
Our journey to parenthood was not as easy as one would expect. Our story includes an ectopic pregnancy, infertility, a failed IVF cycle but also happiness with our miracle pair conceived through a combination of IVF/Homeopathic fertility treatments.
​
At first, I found this sharing idea quite a daunting step. I was so scared to share my story because I was scared to be judged. I did not want to show my face in case someone I knew personally would find it and know what I had been struggling with. Yes, I was embarrassed and ashamed that I, Thabiso I had been battling with infertility and that it was the most difficult thing to go through. But I knew I had to embrace and truly own my story because the truth is there is really nothing to hide. What I went through I did not choose to go through; it was a diagnosis like any other disease. In South Africa1 in 6 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. The more we can normalize conversations of all things pregnancy loss, infertility, and post-partum challenges we all face, the more the stigmas around such topics can be broken down. Although this journey was a very sad one, I would not ask for any other journey. It was meant to be my path to build the woman I am today. It has opened my eyes in a different way and has made me appreciate this thing called life and this thing called motherhood.
​
​
So, hi everyone …… I am Thabiso (‘nee Mokoena) Disene
