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Sherelle Gilbert

What I wish I knew before starting fertility treatment
Infertility / Wellness

What I wish I knew before starting fertility treatment

February 22, 2022

There are many things I wish I knew before starting fertility treatment. I went into the process completely oblivious of what to expect. At the time there weren’t many women of color sharing their IVF experiences. So, I just wasn’t aware of all the possible outcomes. When I embarked on this #crazyfaith journey I accepted whatever would come. I also said that I would share my experience along the way. So, here are some things I wished I knew earlier on…

Success is not guaranteed on the first round. You may have to do multiple cycles of fertility treatment

Prior to starting fertility treatment I knew women who had gone through several rounds of IVF before having success. However, I went into my treatment overly confident that I would only need one round. I didn’t even entertain the thought or possibility of having to do more than one cycle. I believe it is great to have a positive mindset. But I also believe it’s important to have an open mind to the possibility for other outcomes. There are so many factors that contribute to success of IVF and everything has to work together at the right time. This, however, does not always happen the first or second time around.

It’s okay to seek a second and third opinion for fertility treatment

When seeking out a reproductive endocrinologist it’s perfectly fine and even encouraged to talk to more than one doctor. I think we fear seeking out another opinion because we feel like we have to be loyal to our doctor. There may also be fear of having to repeat our story/medical history, “ruffling feathers” or even fear of wasting time. I think I experienced all of those fears, but I later learned it never hurts to get a second or third opinion. It’s better to have more than one perspective to compare to what you already know about your body. It just gives you much more to work with in assessing the best route of treatment for you and your partner.

Advocate for yourself until you feel seen and heard

This piggybacks off the previous point, but it’s so important to ask questions and get the information and answers you desire until you feel comfortable and confident. You should ask about the various testing available and ask for testing results to be explained in a way you can understand. If something doesn’t feel right, pay attention. Don’t ignore those gut feelings. If your doctor does not seem to be confident in the course of treatment or you still feel confused, please pay attention and act on those feelings – speak up. Also, don’t stay with a doctor just because you’ve been with them for a while, they are nice or or their staff is wonderful. At the end of the day, the goal is pregnancy and a live birth and if you do not feel confident in the doctor you are with, then it’s time to find another doctor.

Do not compare your fertility journey to anyone else’s

It can be hard to not compare when you see others who may have started treatment after you have success while you are still waiting. You can fall into this comparison trap which can weigh heavy on your mental and emotional health. It can have you feeling like you are undeserving, like you are behind, like you have done something wrong and the list goes on. I’m here to tell you all those thoughts are from the enemy and he wants nothing more than to steal your hope and your faith on this journey.

To avoid that comparison trap, I remind myself that my journey is MINE. There are no two journeys that are the same even if the diagnoses are the same. God has a specific purpose for me and my journey and I refuse to fall into the trap of comparison. Practice that, sis. It’s not easy, but I promise it will help.

Guard your heart on what you consume on your fertility journey

It may be time to log off social media if you find yourself constantly comparing your journey to others or getting triggered by pregnancy related posts. There have been times when I had to take a break because I was constantly getting triggered. Don’t feel bad for unfollowing or muting accounts that may be triggering to you. It’s important to protect your peace on this journey. Only you know what that looks like, so guard your heart accordingly.

What’s something you wish you knew before starting fertility treatment? Let me know in the comments.

If you are on your fertility journey, find more inspiration here. Be sure to follow my journey on IG.

Thank you for being here,

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Sherelle Gilbert | Brand Owner + Content Creator

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Sherelle Gilbert

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Because I know this about myself, I decided to dedicate time to not only focusing on studying but also addressing my fear surrounding tests and develop a new thought pattern - a renewing of my mind, if you will. 

This season was not just about preparing for the exam, it was about leaning into the challenges and fears and ultimately developing a renewed mindset. I’m entering into a new era and I cannot wait to see what God has in store. I’m going to take y’all along my real estate journey, so stay tuned for that! 

I praise God for this moment because despite what I’ve been through these last few months, He kept me and helped me to accomplish this goal 🙌🏽
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If you’re anything like me, you may have experienced this and developed a love hate relationship with working out. It’s all good, we are going to work through this together! I want you to focus on something that’s long-term as you think about your wellness goals. It can be something as simple as just feeling comfortable again or being able to walk up your stairs without getting winded. 

Working out for your vacation or an event is great, but we also want to look and feel great even when the vacation or event is over 💪🏽 Be sure to follow along for more of my wellness journey tips and lessons. Also, let me know in the comments one of your wellness goals.
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Self-care to me is treating myself to new cafe experiences. I live for a cute cafe vibe and a unique latte to go with, so I just had to check out this new spot. If you haven’t been yet, Tous les Jours (too-le-joor) is a French-Asian inspired bakery and cafe. They have so many baked goods to choose from - you just grab your tray, tongs and get what you want! 

I chose the spinach and feta danish and paired it with a honey lavender oat milk latte (y’all know I’m a lavender girl) and this was 10/10. The danish was perfection and the latte was chef’s kiss! 

I met up with my girl @_thatskenny to talk content and events, met her super cute son and had the best self-care morning ☕️ 

If you are looking for a cafe to have some self-care time, to get some work done or just to try something new in town, check out @touslesjourshsv! If you’ve already been, let me know in the comments what you got and what I should try next!
•
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I’ve been clinging to Psalm 84:11-12 which says that He will withhold no good thing from those who walk upright and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. We are choosing to believe what God did not allow to come to pass was not good for us and we are at peace with that. While we grieve what we thought would be, I also thank God for His protection from what could have been. 

I will forever hold a place in my heart for my 7 little ones. With that, this is the end of THIS season of our journey. We don’t know what’s next for us but we have decided to take a break from the fertility journey to focus on mental and physical health. We will finally get the break we needed and truly have a fresh start when we begin again. 

I’m in complete surrender to God with this journey and I rest in knowing that I’ve done all I can and now I’ve completely given it to Him. I can’t wait to see how He turns this around because it’s not over. The miracle is just going to be that much sweeter and we will have the most amazing story to tell because we know our God cannot fail 🙌🏽🙏🏽🤍

As always, thank you for riding this journey with us. Think of this as the season finale and we will pick back up in the fall (God willing) 🤣

PS. Please no questions about me doing testing, etc. Refer to my recent YouTube video where I go more in depth about this. Thanks 🙏🏽
•
•
•
#fertilityjourney #ivfjourney #pregnancylossawareness #failedivftransfer
•
Follow
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@sherellegilbert

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You may or may not have heard the news, but I passed my real estate license exam 🎉 I’m relishing in this moment because it took a minute to get here and believe it or not I doubted myself along the way. I have legit test anxiety and the thought of tests of any kind (even eye exams lol) always sends me into an internal panic 😬

Because I know this about myself, I decided to dedicate time to not only focusing on studying but also addressing my fear surrounding tests and develop a new thought pattern - a renewing of my mind, if you will. 

This season was not just about preparing for the exam, it was about leaning into the challenges and fears and ultimately developing a renewed mindset. I’m entering into a new era and I cannot wait to see what God has in store. I’m going to take y’all along my real estate journey, so stay tuned for that! 

I praise God for this moment because despite what I’ve been through these last few months, He kept me and helped me to accomplish this goal 🙌🏽
•
Follow
You may or may not have heard the news, but I passed my real estate license exam 🎉 I’m relishing in this moment because it took a minute to get here and believe it or not I doubted myself along the way. I have legit test anxiety and the thought of tests of any kind (even eye exams lol) always sends me into an internal panic 😬 Because I know this about myself, I decided to dedicate time to not only focusing on studying but also addressing my fear surrounding tests and develop a new thought pattern - a renewing of my mind, if you will. This season was not just about preparing for the exam, it was about leaning into the challenges and fears and ultimately developing a renewed mindset. I’m entering into a new era and I cannot wait to see what God has in store. I’m going to take y’all along my real estate journey, so stay tuned for that! I praise God for this moment because despite what I’ve been through these last few months, He kept me and helped me to accomplish this goal 🙌🏽
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
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If you’re anything like me, you may have experienced this and developed a love hate relationship with working out. It’s all good, we are going to work through this together! I want you to focus on something that’s long-term as you think about your wellness goals. It can be something as simple as just feeling comfortable again or being able to walk up your stairs without getting winded. 

Working out for your vacation or an event is great, but we also want to look and feel great even when the vacation or event is over 💪🏽 Be sure to follow along for more of my wellness journey tips and lessons. Also, let me know in the comments one of your wellness goals.
•
Follow
We’ve all been there before - working out so we can drop some weight just before a vacation. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight for a vacation, what often happens is that after the vacation is over so are the workouts. This has happened to me a few times when my goal was focused on a short term/temporary event rather than on building long-term lasting habits. If you’re anything like me, you may have experienced this and developed a love hate relationship with working out. It’s all good, we are going to work through this together! I want you to focus on something that’s long-term as you think about your wellness goals. It can be something as simple as just feeling comfortable again or being able to walk up your stairs without getting winded. Working out for your vacation or an event is great, but we also want to look and feel great even when the vacation or event is over 💪🏽 Be sure to follow along for more of my wellness journey tips and lessons. Also, let me know in the comments one of your wellness goals.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
Happy Monday!! 

Last week I finally got to visit @touslesjourshsv in @midcitydistrict and I loved it! Huntsville is growing so much, getting so many new restaurants and cafes that I just can’t keep up!

Self-care to me is treating myself to new cafe experiences. I live for a cute cafe vibe and a unique latte to go with, so I just had to check out this new spot. If you haven’t been yet, Tous les Jours (too-le-joor) is a French-Asian inspired bakery and cafe. They have so many baked goods to choose from - you just grab your tray, tongs and get what you want! 

I chose the spinach and feta danish and paired it with a honey lavender oat milk latte (y’all know I’m a lavender girl) and this was 10/10. The danish was perfection and the latte was chef’s kiss! 

I met up with my girl @_thatskenny to talk content and events, met her super cute son and had the best self-care morning ☕️ 

If you are looking for a cafe to have some self-care time, to get some work done or just to try something new in town, check out @touslesjourshsv! If you’ve already been, let me know in the comments what you got and what I should try next!
•
Follow
Happy Monday!! Last week I finally got to visit @touslesjourshsv in @midcitydistrict and I loved it! Huntsville is growing so much, getting so many new restaurants and cafes that I just can’t keep up! Self-care to me is treating myself to new cafe experiences. I live for a cute cafe vibe and a unique latte to go with, so I just had to check out this new spot. If you haven’t been yet, Tous les Jours (too-le-joor) is a French-Asian inspired bakery and cafe. They have so many baked goods to choose from - you just grab your tray, tongs and get what you want! I chose the spinach and feta danish and paired it with a honey lavender oat milk latte (y’all know I’m a lavender girl) and this was 10/10. The danish was perfection and the latte was chef’s kiss! I met up with my girl @_thatskenny to talk content and events, met her super cute son and had the best self-care morning ☕️ If you are looking for a cafe to have some self-care time, to get some work done or just to try something new in town, check out @touslesjourshsv! If you’ve already been, let me know in the comments what you got and what I should try next!
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Joe and I transferred our last two embryos on Easter Sunday. It was the perfect setup for what we thought would finally be our miracle. We just knew this time would be our time but God still has another plan that’s greater than what we have been imagining. We don’t know why God allows things to happen the way that they do, but at this point I’m choosing to look at it as God’s protection. 

I’ve been clinging to Psalm 84:11-12 which says that He will withhold no good thing from those who walk upright and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. We are choosing to believe what God did not allow to come to pass was not good for us and we are at peace with that. While we grieve what we thought would be, I also thank God for His protection from what could have been. 

I will forever hold a place in my heart for my 7 little ones. With that, this is the end of THIS season of our journey. We don’t know what’s next for us but we have decided to take a break from the fertility journey to focus on mental and physical health. We will finally get the break we needed and truly have a fresh start when we begin again. 

I’m in complete surrender to God with this journey and I rest in knowing that I’ve done all I can and now I’ve completely given it to Him. I can’t wait to see how He turns this around because it’s not over. The miracle is just going to be that much sweeter and we will have the most amazing story to tell because we know our God cannot fail 🙌🏽🙏🏽🤍

As always, thank you for riding this journey with us. Think of this as the season finale and we will pick back up in the fall (God willing) 🤣

PS. Please no questions about me doing testing, etc. Refer to my recent YouTube video where I go more in depth about this. Thanks 🙏🏽
•
•
•
#fertilityjourney #ivfjourney #pregnancylossawareness #failedivftransfer
•
Follow
Joe and I transferred our last two embryos on Easter Sunday. It was the perfect setup for what we thought would finally be our miracle. We just knew this time would be our time but God still has another plan that’s greater than what we have been imagining. We don’t know why God allows things to happen the way that they do, but at this point I’m choosing to look at it as God’s protection. I’ve been clinging to Psalm 84:11-12 which says that He will withhold no good thing from those who walk upright and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. We are choosing to believe what God did not allow to come to pass was not good for us and we are at peace with that. While we grieve what we thought would be, I also thank God for His protection from what could have been. I will forever hold a place in my heart for my 7 little ones. With that, this is the end of THIS season of our journey. We don’t know what’s next for us but we have decided to take a break from the fertility journey to focus on mental and physical health. We will finally get the break we needed and truly have a fresh start when we begin again. I’m in complete surrender to God with this journey and I rest in knowing that I’ve done all I can and now I’ve completely given it to Him. I can’t wait to see how He turns this around because it’s not over. The miracle is just going to be that much sweeter and we will have the most amazing story to tell because we know our God cannot fail 🙌🏽🙏🏽🤍 As always, thank you for riding this journey with us. Think of this as the season finale and we will pick back up in the fall (God willing) 🤣 PS. Please no questions about me doing testing, etc. Refer to my recent YouTube video where I go more in depth about this. Thanks 🙏🏽 • • • #fertilityjourney #ivfjourney #pregnancylossawareness #failedivftransfer
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
We are on a mission to un-big our backs in 2023! That phrase makes me chuckle 🤭 but in all seriousness we’re just out here trying to do better and live well.

Getting back into a routine of working out at least 5 times a week (I really try to do something everyday even if it’s just a quick walk) has been a challenge. Literally one morning I told myself I didn’t want to, but then I asked myself what would I regret later - working out or not working out? And it’s the latter, so I got my butt up and said “all you have to do is 30 minutes”. I ended up doing almost an hour! 

It’s really a mindset shift because you’re not going to always feel like working out. Keep in the back of your mind why you’re doing it and how you feel afterwards. Remember it’s a privilege to move your body. Don’t go into it with the mindset that you HAVE to do it. Remind yourself that you GET to move your body. Our brains thrive off physical activity, so think about how much more you can do when your body is operating at an optimal level. 

Let me know in the comments how you’re moving your body this week and let’s encourage each other! 💪🏽
•
Follow
We are on a mission to un-big our backs in 2023! That phrase makes me chuckle 🤭 but in all seriousness we’re just out here trying to do better and live well. Getting back into a routine of working out at least 5 times a week (I really try to do something everyday even if it’s just a quick walk) has been a challenge. Literally one morning I told myself I didn’t want to, but then I asked myself what would I regret later - working out or not working out? And it’s the latter, so I got my butt up and said “all you have to do is 30 minutes”. I ended up doing almost an hour! It’s really a mindset shift because you’re not going to always feel like working out. Keep in the back of your mind why you’re doing it and how you feel afterwards. Remember it’s a privilege to move your body. Don’t go into it with the mindset that you HAVE to do it. Remind yourself that you GET to move your body. Our brains thrive off physical activity, so think about how much more you can do when your body is operating at an optimal level. Let me know in the comments how you’re moving your body this week and let’s encourage each other! 💪🏽
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@sherellegilbert
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