"Are they natural?"

As any mother of multiples can attest, you get bombarded with the lamest of questions from people every single time you step outdoors with your babies. Some questions, some comments, stares, pointing and even the occasional photo taking. But what do you say to someone when they ask if your babies are 'natural'? For me, its always important for me to let people know that my babies were naturally conceived but to also emphasize that it almost wasn't that easy for us...

I guess I am one of the 'lucky' ones.

We had been trying for a baby for a few months and I was having lots of anovulatory cycles and weird pain. So, we decided to get a thorough work up (for the 3rd time for me and a new GYN). After my ultrasounds and hormone testing revealed 'normal' anatomy and hormone levels, my GYN ordered a S/A for Jason. "Just to be on the safe side". I will never forget the way she said it: "Just to be sure".

Jason made his 'deposit' and dropped it off at the lab. What a lovely way to start your day, I guess. ;)

Low sperm count.

Low motility.

Low morphology.

Wow. Who would have thought. Here I was the one having 'issues' but really it was Jason. He felt terrible. He was upset and we immediately began talking all the what-if's that come with infertility. What if we have to do IVF? What if it doesn't work? What if we can't adopt or can't get pregnant?

He saw our family doctor who did an exam and ordered an ultrasound. Varicoceles. We went to a urologist. We talked about surgery, supplements, etc...the whole time we were encouraged to just keep trying. "You never know" is what the docs would say and they would follow it up with "It only takes one".

We were in the process of getting Jason scheduled for surgery to repair the varicoceles at UC Davis with a top male urology and infertility surgeon when his grandmother passed away. Suddenly, all plans were on hold when we had to fly back east. We spent 10 days (mid cycle) cleaning her house, making burial arrangements, meeting with her pastor, talking to old friends, moving belongings, etc...

We came home, had another appt with the urologist and were again told to keep trying while we waited for surgery. We were told that the surgery would likely correct the issue but IUI and even IVF may still be in our future.

2 weeks later, while babysitting for my friend, I took a pregnancy test to prove to myself that I had horrid PMS and that I would start my period soon...well we had a BFP! Who would have ever thought?! We had given up that cycle since we were busy with the plans at grandma's but apparently grandma had other plans and sent us home with a couple of souvenirs.

Jason loves to tell this story- about how life goes out and life comes in; about how his Oma knew what he wanted (as she always did) and that she talked God into throwing us a miracle (or two)...

So, the moral of my LONG story is this: when someone asks me if my babies are 'natural' I just smile and say "yes", laugh and say "sort of" or I tell them whole story and know they will probably never ask another mother of multiples an inappropriate question like this again! :D

P.S. What is an 'un-natural' twin, anyway?