Personal Story: Jodi Coleman

Hey Sisters!

My name is Jodi Coleman. I just wanted to reach out to you sisters on a topic really close to my heart at this time. My husband and I have been trying to start our family for the last 11 months. After talking to the bishop last Sunday, I now know we are not the only ones struggling in our ward. I want to reach out to the other sisters in our ward having issues with infertility, difficulty getting pregnant, and even those who have suffered miscarriages. This is such a long and difficult road and sometimes our husbands don't understand. Let me start off by telling you a little of our story.

Last September, we had a feeling we needed to start trying. We got off the birth control and realized that something wasn't right with me. I would have long cycles up to 84 days. I started tracking my cycles on an App and started to see my doctor. We got diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in December. This was both an answer to our prayers and our worst nightmare. With PCOS, my body doesn't ovulate on it's own causing crazy irregular cycles. My old doctor kept telling us we had plenty of time, we were so young and there was no rush. They put me on a medication to balance my glucose levels (which helps with ovulation somehow) and that was all. Since I work with a lot of OB/GYNs at the hospital, I started asking the other doctors what they would do. I picked a new doctor and in June we started taking Clomid. Clomid is a medication that forces the body to ovulate. We are now on our third cycle. This cycle is pretty rough so far, I have super hormonal and I have hot flashes like crazy. I just hope it pays off this time.

The hardest thing for me is that I feel like I have done everything I was supposed to. We are sealed in the temple, we follow the commandments. Why can 16 year olds get pregnant but I cant? Why us? “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis1:28) We are commanded to have children, but then it is so hard. “The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7)

There is a wonderful article from the June 2012 Ensign called  'Learning to Cope with Infertility' by Carolynn R. Spencer. She gives examples of lessons from women of the scriptures. She talks of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, Elkanah’s wives, Hannah and Peninnah, and Zacharias’s wife, Elisabeth. We are so blessed to be born in the latter days. We have access to medical help and adoption to help us become mothers. Some of us may never be able to have children on our own, the Lord has a plan for that. We are blessed to have LDS Family Services to aid us in adoption if needed. 

If you are not struggling to start your family, would you please keep us in your thoughts and prayers? This is a really rough road sometimes. Sometimes seeing babies will make me want to burst into tears (which is hard since I work with babies haha).

I have had a really hard time lately with my friends having babies and stuff. So much so  that I broke down to tears the other night. My sweet husband was there to console me, and to do so, he took out my patriarchal blessing and read it to me. The part that helped me most said "The children born to you will love Jesus Christ the Lord." The children BORN to ME. That phrase alone, promises me that I will have children. It comforts me so much to read those words. I would recommend for you to also take out your patriarchal blessing and read it. Especially when you feel weak. 

And if any of you sisters struggling need a friend who understands, call me. text me. email me. Whatever. I am here.

I love this ward and it breaks my heart to hear others are going through what we are. I wouldn't wish this pain upon anyone. I am so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity we have to attend the temple. I know that this church is true and I know that I am blessed to be here in this ward. I am so grateful to my husband, he is my rock. And I am so grateful for my patriarchal blessing. It has brought so much peace to me, and as helped me build my testimony. 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.