It's amazing to think about how much Noah and I have learned. About the human reproductive system, about our bodies, about ourselves, our relationship--we both have Ph D's in the physical, emotional and relational science of assisted baby making. We may have done better with graphic design or computer science or something but here we are.
When we started this process we literally knew NOTHING. Well, we knew the basics. Now Noah and I can confidently identify all of my lady parts and know their function and what happens when they dysfunction. I'm sure this impresses all the guys when Noah goes out for boys night.
While I (and half a dozen doctors in the greater Los Angeles area) have gotten to know my body on an intuitive level, Noah too has gotten to understand me better, as well as himself. For a shy guy, infertility really cracks everything open. He is so much more comfortable with the weird and gross and private, and I think that's a good thing.
I remember the first time he had to give a "sample." He was mortified and embarrassed. There is something really shaming about the whole experience. Even though doing his thing into a plastic cup is something he has been preparing for his whole life, the emotional and mental aspects of it can be unsettling. But now it ain't no thang. This is what he has to do to help us making a family. And if he ever complains I just remind him of all I have to do and he quickly shuts up. He has the easy part.
This clip is from the very early morning of our aspiration where the doc was retrieving the eggs from the follicles. As you will see, even though we were very deep into the IVF process, I still had no idea what was where in my body. Sex ed class in high school failed me terribly, only teaching how NOT to get pregnant.
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