We Have Something To Share! (No, not that)

I’ve alluded to the documentary Noah and I have been making about our journey to parenthood, but wanted to share the extended trailer. Noah says no one will watch more than 2 minutes of anything on-line unless it features cute animals or boobs, but I’m posting the extended trailer anyway (be aware, it’s 8 minutes long!). We’ve shot more than 100 hours of footage and hope to start fund-raising soon so we can complete a full length film.

As National Infertility Awareness Week comes to a close, the importance of continuing the dialogue about infertility is ever more vital. Those in the infertility community need to know about all the information and support out there, and they need to know that there is no shame in having difficulties conceiving. Those not in the infertility world need to know about what family building is really like for those who struggle, so that a new understanding and sensitivity can be created. Insurance companies, politicians, and others in power need to change how infertility is viewed in the medical field. Having a child is a medical necessity for many of us. It’s a quality of life issue that deserves to be taken seriously and deserves to be covered.

 Noah and I really hope that our story can help to normalize infertility and alternative family building. We had the privilege of interviewing several other couples who’ve survived their stint on IF Island and shared their stories to parenthood with us. Through these amazing “survivors,” we learned about determination, strength, compromise, love, and what it really means to become a family.

We hope that one day, our film will decrease some of the isolation people on IF Island feel, and we hope that everyone on the Mainland can become more educated and aware. We also hope that y’all will watch more than 2 minutes, and stay tuned for the final film. Hopefully we will find our ending soon.

 

Comments

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

Hi Amy. Thanks for watching and I'm sorry you relate to the trailer so much, but know you are in good company. IF Island is filled with amazing supportive people. Deciding to move to donor eggs is a difficult step but one that does help many people achieve the goal of becoming parents. Interested that Australia doesn't allow for "paying" for eggs. Thanks for sharing that and I wish you so much luck on your next steps.

[Amy]

Hi Maya, I just watched your whole trailer and some of it made me cry, as I've been in so many of those situations and haven't known anybody else who has. And then giggled when the silliness came in too, as it does in this journey. You've done an incredible job filming those difficult times and I look forward to watching the whole film - I hope you'll be releasing it for Australia? My husband and I are trying to decide whether egg donation is for us after 3 years of IVF with no embryos. ED can only be altruistic where we are, so we would have to accept another woman's gift for no payment. Huge congratulations on Momo and I hope things just keep going up and up for you and your happy ending is just around the corner. I love reading your blog; how you write and share about being on IF is fantastic, thank you :-)

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

SDF and Kate-- thanks so much! We are working as best we can on this film because we do feel it's important to share. You can stay tuned with film related stuff by signing up for our mailing list on the films website www.onemoreshotfilm.com thanks!

[Kate]

Maya the film is amazing and so painfully true.
Let us know how can we help you do the documentary? You give so much to others, maybe we can help and give something back?

Greetings from fellow Islander for Poland.

[SDF]

I loved your video and it made me finally feel validated. It was so real and just brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing your laughter, struggles, tears, and strength. Absolutely amazing.

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

Hi Dawn! Welcome. I'm still hoping for that take home baby (spoiler alert) but you're stepping in here at a good time, because the lull is almost over as we are gearing up for...hopefully...our final ending! Thanks for watching the trailer and yes, please share! I see you have a blog, which I'm going to check out, so feel free to post a link or whatever you want. We are actually working on a website for the documentary and a fundraising campaign so we can complete the full length film and get it out there! Will keep you posted. I wish you all the luck in the world for whatever comes next for you!

[Dawn]

Wow! This trailer is fantastic and had me crying. I can't wait to see the finished product. I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and have spent my free time reading through it from the beginning. Your writing is amazing and I can actually feel your emotions through your written words. My hubby and I have been on this journey for almost 3 years. I still have part of April and May to read...but I so hope and pray you get your take home baby soon! Thank you for being so open and documenting this to share with all. Would it be okay if I shared the trailer?

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

Thanks Ryan, Sarah and WBC! Noah and I are trying to find the right editor (on our budget of buttons) but we are definitely going to get the full length out there, some how, some way...and hopefully also to the UK! Thanks for watching and for all the support.

[Ryan]

Thank you for sharing your journey. So many of us suffer in silence and this gives us a voice. Wishing you the best!

[Sarah]

Fantastic film, please bring it to the uk! It perfectly sums up the heart break and agony but also the laughs and bonding two people share in this crazy crazy IVF journey. With 2 IVFs 2 Donor egg IVFs and one miscarraige to show for it our journey isn't done yet either. I wish you hope and happiness and strength to complete your mission! I hope we both get the family we so long for .

[WBC]

Thank you for speaking for me. Let us know how we can support you in bringing this film to prime time!

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

Thank you all so much for the continued love and support! And for taking the time to watch all 8 min 29 seconds! I'm sending so much love to your healing warrior hearts! Noah and I are going to do our best to get this film done and out into the world and are to grateful for all the IF Islanders out there.

[Amy]

From the bottom of my partially but not completely broken, IVF-warrior heart and soul, thank you so very much for this video. I shared it with friends to articulate what I've been trying to communicate for years. You did it in 8 minutes. I don't think that was too long for a trailer of this magnitude! :) Keep up the great work and know that so many are cheering you on in your journey to become parents. It WILL happen.

[Ciara]

Just watched the video and wanted to tell you how much I admire you for being so open about you struggles. When your RE called after your retrieval and said, "I have some bad news", my heart just broke for you. This April marks the one year anniversary of when I was first diagnosed with DOR. I'm 31 now and have been through 3 IUI's and 3 cycles of ivf, all of which never made it to transfer. After meeting with our RE this week, my husband and I have decided that it would be pointless and too psychologically damaging to go through another round of ivf and will be exploring egg donation vs adoption. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone and plan to continue to follow your posts as a source of strength and inspiration. I'll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way as you continue your journey to motherhood.

[Zara]

I watched it all...bringing in tears & laughs. Thank you for sharing your story. So real and though my situation is not similar, I resonate with the ambiguous journey of conception. After a decade of trying, we are not giving up and continue living in hope for our first miracle. Thank you, Maya.

Much love & appreciation from Singapore,
Zara

[Kiki]

Way to represent. Bonzai Momotaro!

[kemz]

Thank you so much for making this documentary!

Your blog has been so helpful for me as I struggle with this journey.

[phaira]

Just had a chance to watch the video...so great! Looking forward to the full length version.
Thank you both for sharing your story and the hopeful stories of those who have made it to the other side.

[Don't Count Your Eggs]

Thank you all so much for watching (all 8 minutes!) and for sharing your own stories. Noah and I appreciate all the support and hope we can get a full length film out there for the world to see so all of us on the Island do have a voice and can be understood. All of you warriors are my inspiration, always! Sending lots of love and appreciation.

[Heather]

I watched it all and felt it all.
It is so emotional and difficult....on Wednesday, I will find out if my 2 day transfer of 3 2-cell embryos stuck. The RE gave us a less than 5% chance of success. After 7 miscarriages, 2 ectopic pregnancies with tubes removed, and one ivf cycle cancelled before transfer...this is it.
I am 40.
Living on hope....

Thank you for sharing.

[Aneonprincess.wordpress.com]

So many of my own experiences came rushing back to me watching this. I hope you get your happy ending soon!

[Brenda]

Just got home from second opinion doctor. Reality is hitting hard. In the same boat with DOR at 34. 3 failed IVFs, never been pregnant. This video brought tears and laughs. Thank you for sharing your story. Stumbled across your blog a few months ago. We are now faced with same decisions you've shared. Thank you for helping me stay positive and less isolated.

[Janet]

This trailer put me in tears. Great you guys are making a film!

[kate]

Unfortunately, my husband and I can relate to your struggles. I watched the trailer while at work and couldn't turn the sound on -- but still felt the pain and hope that those of us struggling with infertility and its treatments experience, emulating from my computer. Our rescue black labs have been great sources of healing and happiness for my husband and I on this awful IF journey, and I hope your pup and husband continue to support you until you guys get your much deserved happy ending! Best, best wishes and from the bottom of my heart, thanks for putting yourself out there like this to make the documentary. There are too many of us suffering in silence... it helps to see others on their way to overcoming similar issues!

[Corynn]

Just awesome. I'm in tears. Will you be doing a kickstarter campaign?