Q&A WITH LISA NEWTON
Blogger at AmateurNester.com
Question: How did the creation of your website, AmateurNester.com, come about?
Answer: I originally intended it to be a blog about my attempts at DIY, crafting, and decorating my home. I quickly realized I wasn’t very good at any of that, and decided to blog about my infertility treatments instead. Luckily for me, the name of the blog lent itself to both DIY and infertility!
Question: What has been the toughest part of your journey?
Answer: The toughest part is how much infertility affects every other area of my life. Obviously, it takes a huge financial and emotional toll, but it’s also affected other, more surprising areas. For example, I’ve gained some weight since our treatments started, but I’ve resisted buying new clothes because each month I hope I’ll get pregnant. I don’t want to waste good money on clothes that I’ll outgrow during a pregnancy. So, I have very few clothes that fit right now and it’s taken a surprising toll on my self-image.
Question: You interview other couples who have gone through the infertility rollercoaster. What story has inspired you the most?
Answer: That is almost impossible to answer! Each interview inspires me in different ways depending on their circumstances and stories. However, if I had to choose one, I’d say it’s Candace and Chris from Our Misconception. They have been through hell and back, and I was awe-struck by their willingness to have their final IVF cycle documented for MTV. Watching their episode made me realize just how powerful openness and transparency can be, and that’s when I decided to reveal my name on my blog and eventually “come out” on my personal Facebook.
Question: How has your faith helped you through the trials and tribulations of infertility?
Answer: My faith in God is what keeps me from losing all hope. I don’t believe that God causes bad things to happen to us, but I believe He uses them for good in our lives. Don’t get me wrong. I question God on a daily basis about why He allows infertility for me and all the other people who struggle with it. I don’t understand. But that’s where faith comes in. Even though I don’t understand, I choose to believe that there’s purpose in what I’m going through and He will ultimately use it for good.
Question: If you had a younger sister go through infertility, what advice would you give her?
Answer: I’d tell her to seek out community. It can be in the form of an in-person support group, an online group, or blogging. I’d encourage her to connect with other people who have been through infertility in whatever way she can. I’ve received so much support and made some amazing online friends through blogging, and I’d encourage her to do something similar. It’s amazing how much it helps to know that other people understand what you’re going through.
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Lisa blogs about her infertility journey and interviews other infertility survivors at AmateurNester.com. When she’s not blogging, she’s eating Ruffles Reduced Fat Potato Chips, watching The Big Bang Theory reruns, or reading (often all at the same time). She lives with her husband, Tom, and their orange cat, Hemingway, on the California central coast.
Website: www.amateurnester.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amateurnester
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amateurnester