In Due Time: Review and Giveaway!

Jen Noonan is an infertility advocate and author of In Due Time, a memoir. She sent me an advance copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. I wasn't sure what to expect because I didn't know very much about Jen's story or what she had been through. But once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down!

In her book, Jen shares her journey though infertility and loss with vulnerability and honesty. She doesn't gloss over any of the hard parts or minimize the anxiety or pain that she experienced. And that's what makes this book so relatable. Whether you are newly diagnosed or an IVF vet, you will find more similarities to your own story than differences.

I think most of us start out believing that we will have the perfect family; we have everything all planned out. Jen felt confident that she would have a boy and girl, easily conceived. But then, life happens. And our plans and dreams are suddenly harder to obtain than we ever thought.

Jen describes the worry and anxiety she felt as she went month after month with BFNs. She started asking herself "what's wrong with me?" and "why is this taking so long?" I know we've all been there, and those obsessive thoughts can be so discouraging. I admire her willingness to try both Western and Eastern approaches to fertility and wellness, some of which seemed to really help her to feel calm and centered through some difficult times.

There were some chapters of Jen's book that I felt were reflections of my own story, especially when she experienced a miscarriage and the devastation and anger she felt afterwards. Or when she was so hopeful for her first IVF cycle and convinced herself that it would work. Finally, as she embarked on her 2nd FET, I empathized with her fear of a negative outcome and how she worked diligently to overcome that anxiety.

Sometimes life just doesn't work as planned. And when we convince ourselves that something will happen in a certain way, often times it doesn't. What I really loved about Jen's book is the lesson that we have to let go of expectations, and just be able to accept what is. There is so much that's out of our control, and we must allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to accept any outcome.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in the infertility community, regardless of where you are on your journey. It's an informative, insightful, and inspiring read.

To learn more about Jen Noonan or to order a copy of her book, please visit www.induetimebook.com.

Now on to the raffle!
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Jen Noonan is a passionate primary and secondary infertility advocate who attempts to destigmatize the shame and guilt surrounding infertility and miscarriage. She is a freelance writer in the greater Metro Denver area. Born and raised in Chicago, she is an honorary Denver native, having called the Mile High city home for more than a decade. She lives with her husband, Patrick, their two sons, and a cat named Lois.

Jen is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology and Counseling Education from the University of Colorado Denver. She is an active member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 

Stuck in the Middle

You know that saying, "Comparison is the thief of joy"? It's been on my mind a lot lately. Probably because I've had 3 pregnancy announcements in as many days. And while I feel happy for my friends, I feel sad for myself.

"Why can't that be me?"

"Will it ever be my turn?"

It is SO easy to feel stuck here, in the Middle of my story.

And even though I know that I shouldn't compare my life to others, I do. Constantly. But don't we all? We see someone who is more successful, better looking, funnier, smarter, has the perfect life.

But we're comparing our worst to someone else's best. Just because I don't have what they have right now, doesn't mean that I never will.

It's the doubt that feeds these ugly feelings. Doubt that things can change, or that the future may be better than I could even imagine.

And this is where hope comes in. Yes, hope. That tricky little thing that you have a love/hate relationship with. Too much, and you end up disappointed. Too little, and you end up depressed. Why is it so hard to have just enough?

Because when we are stuck in the middle, we often live in fear and doubt. And while this is a bad place to be, it's comfortable because there's no risk involved. We could stay here forever and never have to risk a thing.

Sometimes hope forces you to take chances, to put yourself out there. To go out on a limb. And it takes courage too. Because there's a chance you might fall. That's the risk you have to take.

So the next time you find yourself comparing your situation to someone else's, just remember. You can't know what the future holds, or what your journey is preparing you for. So don't compare your middle to someone else's happy ending. Your story isn't over yet.