Couple’s infertility story delivers powerful message of hope

“We had a long road.”

That’s how Pooja and Hampton Rutland describe their journey to parenthood, a journey that spanned eight long years and saw plenty of heartache along the way.

Six weeks ago the Louisiana couple welcomed their second child, a baby boy named William; a brother for their 5-year-old son Henry. William is “doing great, very sweet and healthy, he just hasn’t gotten the sleeping part down yet. We are getting used to our new schedule,” gushes Hampton, sounding much like any happy, if exhausted new dad.

It wasn’t all that long ago, though, that he and his wife had all but given up hope on having one child, never mind two.

They decided to share their very personal story in hopes that it would offer some comfort to others who are going through a similar struggle.

“With infertility you have feelings of doubt, confusion, inadequacy, and despair,” Hampton tells BabyCenter. “Those are hard on people and hard on families. The experience can be made easier when someone has your back, and I wanted to let other people know they are not alone.”

Take a look at A Child Is Born: Our Infertility Story.

Am I the only one in tears right now?

Eighty-one pregnancy tests. That number is like a fist around the heart. I can’t imagine going through that roller coaster of hope and disappointment so many times.

My husband and I were fortunate not to have faced infertility, but it’s something that so many couples go through – one in eleven, according to BabyCenter statistics. I’ve watched people close to me endure that struggle, and the feelings of guilt, of self-doubt, of anger and grief that go with it.

“We thought infertility was uncommon, and we felt very alone,” admits the now dad-of-two. “People talk about good things, especially on social media – they are pregnant and their children are doing well, etc. No one posts that they had another miscarriage or how hard it is to get pregnant. It is hard! And it’s very common.”

A look through the comments left by viewers shows that the couple’s video is hitting home for some.

“The timing of this is impeccable,” reads one. “My wife and I have been trying for a while now with no success. As much as I hate to see others in pain and struggling, it helps to know we aren’t [alone].”

I think it’s so important to share these stories, and I admire the Rutlands for being so open and honest. It can only help others who are feeling defeated and alone.

Did you have a hard time conceiving?

These parents have also spoken out about infertility – click each image to read the story: