MIA Co-Founder Welcomes Daughter!

MIA Co-Founder, Alyssa, and her husband welcomed their first daughter into the world on May 18. After a failed IVF in December 2010, the two decided to take some time off and work on things before transferring the three embryos they had frozen. By the time August 2011 rolled around, both were in a much better place physically, mentally and emotionally.

On August 26, 2011, three beautiful embryos were transferred. I was a hot mess during the 2ww, not feeling any different than during our 2ww after our fresh IVF. On September 7, I got my first positive beta! I went again the following week and my numbers were doubling like they were supposed to. I did a little Google search and quickly realized we probably had more than one baby in there. On September 22, we had our first ultrasound and it was confirmed that we had two babies. However, Baby B had what the tech called "double bubble trouble." Because of this I wasn't released to my OB yet so I came back at 8 weeks to have another u/s. Baby B no longer had a heartbeat but Baby A was looking awesome and I was released to my OB.

Overall, my pregnancy was pretty easy. No morning sickness, no major aches and pains, nothing to really complain about. At 36 weeks, I was diagnosed with borderline preeclampsia and I started to feel pretty worn down and tired. At 40 weeks and 5 days, I had my weekly check-up and was sent directly to the hospital to be induced. The next day, much to our surprise (we thought it was a boy the whole time!), we met our daughter, Autumn Rose:

My whole pregnancy, I was constantly worried. Each appointment was met with a little fear and relief each time when I left. I wasn't about to say I'd beat infertility until I was holding a baby in my arms. The end of my pregnancy was bittersweet, excited to meet our little one but at the same time knowing this would probably be the only time I was ever pregnant and would feel those sweet baby kicks inside me.

Today my little girl is three weeks old and each day gets better and better with her. I'm sharing this story to encourage you to never give up hope and to keep the faith. Prayers and baby dust to all of you throughout your journey.

~Alyssa~

2nd Annual KCIA & Family Buiding Conference Date Set

The 2nd Annual Kansas City Infertility Awareness & Family Building Conference is set for Saturday, April 28th. Go to this link for more information. This year's conference will be bigger and better!!!

Thanksgiving

The Ladies of MIA would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! May it be relaxing, delicious, family-filled and may the nosy relatives stay quiet. We feel so very grateful to have received all the support from our community in this endeavor to begin this organization and we look forward to continue growing it and helping more couples.

Tell us what you're grateful today and remember...the bird is the word!

Mile 25

Back on August 19 when I talked to Deb Grissett and we discussed our journeys. She said after 6 years of trying for a second child, her husband said he was done and she told him, "No! It's like we're at mile 25 of a marathon!" Do you feel like you're on mile 25 of your journey? So close yet so far away? Leave us a comment and let us know how you feel.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Whew! We did it, we survived our first conference! The Ladies of MIA couldn't be more pleased with how the conference went. We had a huge turnout, tons of prizes and fantastic vendors & speakers. We're already making notes what we can do to improve upon for next year and once we rest up, we'll start planning next year's event. Thank you to everyone for making yesterday as successful as it was. You're all amazing and hope that you walked away from the conference with knowledge, support and knowing you aren't alone.

Registration is now CLOSED!

Registration for the Inaugural MIA Conference to be held tomorrow is now closed. We still have 40 spots left and will take registration at the door. Registration starts at 1:30pm. See you then!

Registration will close at 8pm TONIGHT

Registration for the Inaugural MIA Conference will close at 8pm tonight. We currently have less than 50 spots available.Good morning! We wanted to highlight a few things to help make tomorrow run as smoothly as possible:

• Check-in starts at 1:30pm at the Lodge Des Peres. Please be patient as you check-in as we're expecting a big turn out.
• If you are participating in the sock exchange, you will drop them in a basket at check-in. Later during the conference, you will receive a pair for you to take home and wear during treatments.
• A few things to be sure to bring: a jacket, pen, notepad, snacks. We will be offering McAllister's tea, lemonade and cookies courtesy of the Apothecary Shop throughout the conference but feel free to bring any other snacks you would like.
• We will be announcing smaller giveaways throughout the conference with the free IVF and $400 medicine gift certificate (separate giveaways) at the very end. For ALL giveaways, you MUST be present to win and it must be the name called i.e. if husband wins, husband must claim it.
• We will be doing a Q&A session at some point during the conference. If you have any questions that you'd like to ask, please email them to. The more questions we have ahead of time, the more likely we can get through more and get them all answered.

We are very excited about tomorrow and hope you are too. We hope you leave with new information as well as a community of friends going through the same thing as you. Please be sure to try and say hello to Megan, Mistie and Alyssa because we'd love to meet all of you.

        

See you tomorrow!

        

The Ladies of MIA

        

Be sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: MidwestIF

Inaugural MIA Conference is TOMORROW!

The time is here! Tomorrow at 2pm, the Inaugural MIA Conference will be starting at the Lodge Des Peres. We still have some spots left if you'd like to register. We can only seat 200 so it's best to pre-register online to ensure that you have a spot.

If you've already registered, we will be sending emails out throughout today with reminders. Please be sure to add our email address to your "safe" list to ensure that your email doesn't go to SPAM. Our email address is MidwestIF@gmail.com

Have a great Veterans Day and we'll see you all tomorrow!

Two Days!

Only two days until the Inaugural MIA Conference and we've got about 50 spots left. Be sure to go register to save your spot and be entered into a drawing to win a FREE IVF donated by Dr. Elan Simckes of Fertility Partnership.

If you have already registered and have not received an email, be sure to check your spam folder and add us to your safe list: MidwestIF@gmail.com We will be sending another email Friday morning full of reminders for the conference this weekend. We're very excited to see everyone!

MIA on TV Tomorrow!

Be sure to tune into St. Louis KTVI and hear Dr. Elan Simckes from Fertility Partnership discuss the Inaugural MIA Conference this coming Saturday. It will be airing at 8:15am.

More Giveaways!!!

Thank you to Consultant Jennifer Doss for a basket of Gold Canyon Candles to giveaway at the conference this Saturday.

Also, a friend of MIA has donated socks for our sock exchange!

Thank you for your generosity.

My Hopeful Journey

My Hopeful Journey is the only web based infertility tracking application designed for the unique needs of infertility.  Tracking includes appointments, medication, lab tests, procedures, financial tracking and more.  My Hopeful Journey can be used from any mobile device with internet access by typing calendar.myhopefuljourney.com into the browser.  Sign up and receive 3 months free access by attending the Inaugural MIA Conference this coming Saturday.  This is available for ALL participants!

"Moments for Couples Who Long for Children" by Ginger Garrett

A big thank you to Ginger Garrett who donated 20 copies of her book Moments for Couples Who Long for Children. If you haven't done so yet, go register for the conference!

Circles of Hopes & Dreams

I got the cutest package in the mail the other day. It was from the ladies of Circles of Hopes & Dreams. They donated this beautiful jewelry set for one lucky attendee.

They also donated 50 common thread bracelets and 25% off coupons for EVERY ATTENDEE! Thank you so much for your support.

Donation by Saettele Jewelers

Saettele Jewelers has donated this gorgeous freshwater chocolate pearl cuff bracelet with sterling silver accents to the Inaugural MIA Conference.

 

Thank you so much for this beautiful donation!

Party Lite Basket

A big huge thank you to Angie Durbin who has donated a Party Lite basket to be given away at the MIA Conference on November 12.

Apothecary Pharmacy

A big thank you to our newest platinum sponsor: Apothecary Pharmacy! I love the guys at the St. Charles location as they are very friendly and helpful. During crazy hormone induced brain, I forgot my meds and didn't realize it until shot time at 6pm while going through my fresh IVF cycle. My doctor called the pharmacy and John came back to the store after hours and I was able to get my shot within the time frame needed. Now THAT is what I call customer service!

Apothecary Pharmacy will also be giving away a gift certificate worth $400 for medicine for you to use during your next cycle. You MUST be registered and present to attend. Thank you so much Apothecary!

O'Fallon Wellness Works Silver Sponsor

Dr. Heather Escobar of O'Fallon Wellness Works has been confirmed as a silver sponsor at the MIA Inaugural Conference on Saturday, November 12. She will be offering free acu-scans so be sure to stop by and visit her at the conference.

"A Graceful Waiting" by Jan Frank

A huge thanks to Jan Frank who has donated 60 copies (!!!) of her book A Graceful Waiting. We are making sure that we a giveaway for each registrant at the conference.

Counseling with TLC

Thank you to Counseling with TLC for being a Silver Sponsor at the MIA Conference on November 12 at the Lodge Des Peres. Be sure to go register!