IVF'd

You have no sperm.

That odd yet impactful statement hit me like a slap in the face and marked the beginning of my infertility journey; a journey that was embarrassing, frustrating, tragic, and self-defining. The quest to have a biological child led to urologists, operating tables, and fertility clinics. Needles, medications, and disappointment littered the path, but an enduring hunger to create our family pushed us forward.

One in eight couples battle infertility, but it remains a taboo secret with many associated misconceptions. The default setting regarding infertility for many is, "I wonder what's wrong with her." IVF'd seeks to change the narrative by breaking that assumed notion. IVF'd takes the reader through a real-life account from the perspective of a male, presented through the lens of humor, to help humanize infertility. The hope of our story is to help others relate, understand they are not alone, and recognize that while infertility is ultimately no joke, it can be quite hilarious at times. A personal account of male factor infertility is incredibly rare to non-existent, but it should be a part of anyone's library who is affected by infertility or is seeking to understand and support a friend or family member facing such a daunting endeavor.