-Trigger Warning–
If you need support with your mental health there is help available. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
It was my pleasure to take Kylie’s Maternity Photography at the Gold Coast. My clients’ stories inspire me and this one I want to share this one with you. My hope is that this encourages you, helps you gather strength and know that if you are facing similar challenges, know that you are not alone and it gets better. I highly respect that Kylie is finishing her Counselling studies to extend support to others. Keep Reading as she shares her journey and enjoy a little peek at her beautiful Maternity Photography Session (isn’t she stunning!)
-Courtney
Our IVF Journey Begins
“After a hard and emotional journey of finding out in 2011 that my husband and I couldn’t have kids together naturally, we made the decision to pursue IVF after exhausting every other option available to us. I was blessed enough to get three embryos from our very first cycle. One of which we put in straight away, and gave us our first baby boy Elias in October 2012. Our other two embryos were frozen for future babies.
We absolutely loved being parents and finally having a child together. It gave us a whole new joy and purpose to life. In September 2014 we decided it was time to add another child to our family. I had one of our frozen embryos transferred and gave birth to our second son in June 2015. Just like many mothers, I couldn’t fathom loving another child the way I loved my first, but after holding this precious boy for the first time, I realised that our hearts just grow bigger and hold even more love rather than us having to divide it.
Our Mental Health Journey
The years that followed, loving our kids and cherishing the precious time of raising babies and toddlers together was the best part of life for us. Unfortunately, even though there was so much joy in our lives, our relationship became quite strained and undealt with mental health problems really began to surface. Having kids tends to really bring these things out. Without going into details, things got quite bad to a point of what seemed like no return. This could be triggering to others, but after things coming to an absolute head, my husband attempted suicide. Thankfully it was what he calls “the best failure of his life”. This was pivotal in the change that was to come.
The man that went into that hospital, was not the same man that came out. Any fear of confronting his own mental and emotional health battles and dealing with it had miraculously gone. He had gained a new perspective on life, discovered just how loved he was by the people around him, and was blessed with the opportunity to repair his marriage and family, and live life in a way he never had before. I’m amazed how incredibly strong and resilient he is. He has overcome so much in the past few years. I also had some major growth and healing to work through too.
“Never underestimate the power of getting professional help. ”
Our relationship after much work, got to a better place than I could have ever imagined. We ended up renewing our Vows in June 2019 on our 12th wedding anniversary. It was so beautiful and healing. I pinch myself to this day that life is this good together. After renewing our vows we decided it’s finally the right time to transfer our third and final embryo and complete our family. We had spent so many years waiting for the right time and really hoping for a little girl. I booked in to get the embryo transferred in November 2019, but unfortunately on the way to the hospital, I got a dreaded phone call to say my embryo didn’t survive the thawing process, so the transfer was cancelled. I was extremely devastated.
Our Renewed Vows and Maternity Photography
Our relationship after much work, got to a better place than I could have ever imagined. We ended up renewing our Vows in June 2019 on our 12th wedding anniversary. It was so beautiful and healing. I pinch myself to this day that life is this good together. After renewing our vows we decided it’s finally the right time to transfer our third and final embryo and complete our family. We had spent so many years waiting for the right time and really hoping for a little girl. I booked in to get the embryo transferred in November 2019, but unfortunately on the way to the hospital, I got a dreaded phone call to say my embryo didn’t survive the thawing process, so the transfer was cancelled. I was extremely devastated.
Then, getting the opportunity to get some maternity photography done by Courtney, marking and capturing this very precious and exciting time in my life felt really special. I wore my vow renewal dress for the photos as it felt quite sentimental to wear for the occasion. Getting to carry and bring this baby girl into our world, feels like the cherry on top to a beautiful family and life my husband and I have created together. I cannot wait to meet her in November, she’s already one very loved little girl.”
“Help is available. For support around any of the themes discussed in this post please call lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636”
Take me to Blury Photography’s Maternity Photography Packages!
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