A true tale of infertility

Joe and Anna (not their real names) came to us frustrated. They had been married for over a year and had not achieved pregnancy as they had planned. This is how their journey of hope began.

Their Billings Ovulation Method® instructor taught them how to use the Method and discussed their fertility and what could be impeding their ability to have a child. Anna had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and was on hormone treatment since she was a teenager. She had used this treatment consistently for over ten years. After her marriage, she stopped the treatment, knowing  there was a contraceptive effect to the treatment. Aware  that  PCOS might be contributing to  her subfertility, the couple  focused on charting her menstrual cycles using the Billings Method. Her cycles were irregular, and ovulation was not clearly ascertained for months. But over time,  clearly defined times of ovulation were seen—an exciting development! Convinced that pregnancy was imminent, they tried to conceive during her fertile phases with the guidance of their instructor.Despite their efforts, no pregnancy occurred, leaving them disappointed and they  began exploring other ways to support fertility, including adopting a healthy diet and regular exercise. Their journey was marked with moments of  disappointments and frustration. Blood tests were incorporated to investigate the root of Anna’s PCOS. Doctors trained in Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM)  used specific  blood tests to uncover what was triggering her symptoms. PCOS  can ensue when there is a proclivity to diabetes,  thyroid disorders, or other endocrine issues. Anna addressed her root cause as advised. Still, no pregnancy happened.

They also explored male factors that could be impeding their joint-fertility. Without informing their Billings instructor, Joe and Anna visited an In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) clinic, where Joe’s sperm was tested. This was morally discouraging to them and a distressing experience as the method of collection  was inconsistent with their Catholic faith. To add to their disappointment, the clinic found no clear explanation  for their infertility. Yet, through their sorrow, they remained hopeful and continued  using the Billings Method’s guidelines to achieve pregnancy.

Both Anna and Joe held high-stress jobs, and from the initial consultation,  their Billings instructor had noted stress as a potential contributing  factor to their  fertility challenges. It wasn’t until Joe transferred to another department  and Anna left her high-stress job that they finally conceived—two years after they first learned the Billings Method! What a joy to their family when a baby girl came into their lives!

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, BOMA-TT  offers lasting hope to all couples. Achieving  pregnancy is a wonderful gift from God, but not all stories  end this way. There is still hope offered—even to those couples who do not have the gift of children in their family. That hope lies in the journey, even amid sorrow and pain, and in being drawn into a deeper  relationship with Jesus.  A relationship that is all or nothing: “A relationship that is incredibly joyful at the end of our journey here on Earth. “Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way, and he turned and spoke to them. ‘…Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple…So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions’” (Lk 14:25-33). Couples who are disciples of Christ, please do contact us.

BOMA-TT Phone or WhatsApp: (868) 384-1659, Emails: naturalfertility@catholictt.org, billingstt@gmail.com Local Websites: billingstt.com, isloveforever.com International Websites: woombinternational.org, billings.life