Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test — the first and only FDA-cleared test to confirm successful ovulation at home.
This statement shows prominently on the Resolve.org National Infertility Awareness Week page and how true it is. A little over 10 years ago, that “anyone” was me. I felt like I had done everything “right”. I had prioritized my education and completed my PhD. I met an amazing man who had become my husband. We bought the slightly too big house, making sure we had enough space for the child or two that would soon fill it. But “soon” didn’t happen. Not only was I not going to have a baby anytime soon, but little did I know that I was about to set off on a path that would cause years of heartache and seven pregnancy losses in total.
Despite all the pain and suffering that my journey caused me and my husband, it also caused something else: for me to find what I truly believe is my purpose. I came out on the other side of my journey with two beautiful children – my son, Cash, who was the result of 2 rounds of IVF and my daughter, Dylan, who I was so fortunately able to conceive and carry with the help of a simple supplement. After Dylan was born, I felt like I was finally ready to share my experience, which I had kept secret for so many years. No one except for Jason, my husband, knew of my struggles – not my mom, my sister – no one. But I was now “on the other side,” or at least I was on the other side of what the journey was for me.
So, I started sharing my story. And the response blew me away. I had close friends, old acquaintances, family members, people from various times in my life reach out to me to share their stories. A lot of them were struggling at that moment. They hadn’t yet made it to their “other side” – which by the way looks different for everyone and can include 1, 2, or more kids or sometimes, none at all. Many of them were asking me for advice: “what did you do?”, “what did you use?” “any advice for me?”.
In those moments of helping members of my social circle, both close and peripheral, my purpose was born – I was meant to help others through this journey. I felt like I was in a unique position to do so too given my science background. Maybe I could create something...a tool that could help other women like me. A few months later, I invented the first version of Proov.
Fast forward 4 years. I’m now honored to have helped, and be in the position to continue to help, thousands of women. What started as a few messages back and forth with a handful of people has grown into something so special. Supporting each and every woman is just as important to me now as it was to help my close friend and my sister, when they went through their journeys.
This NIAW, please know that you are not alone. If you aren’t quite ready to be a part of the conversation, that’s OK. If you are, please join in. There are so many of us and together we can do amazing things.
If you need support, send me a message on Instagram @infertile_scientist or send a note to info@proovtest.com. I will be sure to personally respond.
Much love, Amy
