Infertile at the age of 28. Yup, that was us. Who knew we'd have so much trouble conceiving at such a young age. At that time, we had only heard of this happening to couples in their late thirties or early forties. That is why it came as such a surprise to us that month after month, we were not pregnant.

For us, our story ended happily. We are the proud parents of two boys Aidan, 6 and Dylan, 4. But getting there was filled with lots of tears and raging emotions (mostly mine).

It took us a good year of toying with becoming pregnant to finally build up the nerve to actually go for it. Of course, we assumed that the minute we decided to try, it would just happen. We were mistaken.

Month after month, I came out of the bathroom in tears. By month six, I called the doctor, who set us on the path of what we needed to do. Testing for infertility, we were told, involved several steps. But for us, we didn't even pass step one. We found out that my husband had suffered from Varicocele, a condition that negatively impacts sperm quality.

We were given a few options and a bunch of statistics. We were given no guarantees, which was a big problem for me. So, we chose a path, and trudged forward. On March 1st of 2002, my husband had surgery that we hoped would correct the issue. Thankfully, it did. A year later, Aidan was born.

Our bout with infertility lasted one year. For us, that was an eternity. But for many, this battle can go on for years. So, how do you deal with the stress of infertility? Here are a few key strategies that can take the edge off of the emotional roller-coaster:

1. Have a plan: Set a timeframe that can guide you on your journey. For example, try naturally for six months. If that doesn't work, move forward to testing. If a problem is identified, figure out your options. Try one option for a set period of time. Then move onto option two, and so on and so forth. Having a plan in place can alleviate some of the pressure.
2. Surround yourself with others who are going through it: By finding support in those who are in the same boat, you surround yourself with others who understand what you are going through and can share their coping strategies. While you may feel alone in this battle, you will soon realize that many others are on the same journey. 
3. Talk to those who have overcome infertility: By hearing the experiences of those who have sufferedthrough infertility and ended up with a child (or three), you will gain a new perspective and a stronger sense of hope.
4. Focus on your relationship: The disappointment of not becoming pregnant month after month can take a significant toll on your relationship. But in reality, this journey can be an opportunity to strengthen the connection between you and your partner. Lean on each other for support. Never, ever blame. And last, but not least, keep having fun together.
5. Read up: Knowledge is power. The more you know about what is happening to you, the more in control you will feel. This knowledge will likely help you to strengthen your resolve.
6. Have faith: Believe that you will end up where you are meant to be. You can find a great deal of peace in this sentiment. 

Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to help you through this time. The following list only scratches the surface, but it should get you started: 

• Resolve (National Infertility Association): A non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders.
• Fertilethoughs.com: A website designed to help and support anyone and everyone with their family-building challenges.
• Babycenter.com - Fertility Issues and Concerns Online Community: An online community specific to fertility issues, where you can interact with others who are in similar situations.
• Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler
• The Empty Picture Frame: An Inconceivable Journey Through Infertility by Jenna Currier Nadeau 
• Infertility For Dummies by Sharon, RN Perkins and Jackie Meyers-Thompson

My journey with infertility was one of the more difficult periods in my life. But through it, I developed new coping skills and a great deal of patience.