Eating Disorders and Fertility.

I have been wanting to share this video for a while now. But never had the time or courage, but now I've realised this deserves my time and I've found my strength.
Ever since I can remember I've always been told "you're so good with kids Gem, you're a mum before you're a mum." Then anorexia took hold and the conversation was about how if I carried on like this I may not be able to have children. I buried my head in the sand... That won't happen to me. The last ten years though, being well, away from the eating disorder, its become more and more prominent on my mind.
This video is longer than I normally post. Some say you shouldn't do long form videos as people lose interest. But then I realised, the people who need it, need to see it. This isn't about likes and numbers, this is real life.
Three weeks ago I went to a Fertility clinic to look at the prospect of having children, freezing my eggs... And finally facing up to my fears. Having had a miscarriage three years ago, something I've never spoken about until now, and also being a single 37 year old, it's was time to be brave. So here I am, heart exposed and arms wide open, saying "here I am!" and if it helps one person, its worth it.
Too much is not discussed about eating disorders and the impact they have on the lives of sufferers and loved ones because of stigmas. So many stigmas. We need to be open to create change in the conversation. One of the long term affects of an eating disorder is that on Fertility. For men and for women. It's so important people know the risks, understand more. Not to scare monger, but to be aware. And if, like me, this is going to be a challenge, I'm posting this so you know you're not alone. I'm positing this for anyone who is at the early stages of an eating disorder to implore them to reach out, to those who are ED free to never go down this path, to those who have lost the chance to give birth, to feel hope, to those like me, who never dreamed this would be a reality, to know, we've got this. I'm posting this for anyone who has struggled with conception to know, as I do now, you can be a parent NO MATTER WHAT.
I hope it helps 🙏 I feel very surreal writing this and posting it, as I never believed I'd have to. But here I am and it's going to be OK. Because I will define my role in society, my role as me and my possibilities. ME. No one else. And definitely not an eating disorder. My life is here for me to thrive. And at SEED Eating Disorder Support Services, we are here to help you do the same. You matter.
For help and support please see www.seed.charity
Much love xxx

[@brunaferrazleite8891]

Thank you so much for this video! 💙
It’s so hard to find information about eating disorders affects on fertility. I’m 28, had bulimia for 13 years and I’ve been trying to conceive for 1 and a half years with no success. I tried 3 ivf cycles and nothing… even though my hormone/blood tests come back normal and my cycle is regular. It’s very frustrating.

[@AhmaduAbubakar-hi3gi]

attempts