April Christina is a happily married beauty blogger and singer. She’s also become a women’s health advocate, having dealt with endometriosis for almost ten years and having learned that she likely needs IVF to have children. She’s now undergoing her first IVF treatment and is hopeful.
April is open about it all — the highs and lows of her life — to encourage other black women to step into the spotlight and acknowledge their real lives and issues.
She created The Endo Brunch to bring women dealing with endometriosis together in positive ways, and in all of her advocacy work she helps people find support and answers so that they don’t have to suffer in silence.
We talked with her about her infertility path so far, her inspiration for The Endo Brunch, and the importance of acknowledging the emotional journey.
I want to make sure that we are in this together and for my husband to know that his feelings matter just as much as mine.
Q: What’s been your infertility story in a nutshell?
I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011. From 2011-2019, I centered my life around self-advocacy for endometriosis. After a year and a half of marriage, my husband and I went to a reproductive endocrinologist to make sure we were OK to conceive naturally. In March of 2020 I found out that my AMH was low. It was suggested that we go through IVF to conceive our children. We are now undergoing our first IVF treatment.
Q: What has been the most challenging part of your journey and how have you dealt with it?
The most challenging part of my journey has been dealing with all of it while still being present for my husband and our marriage. There are so many things that I am constantly researching as it pertains to fertility. I am a sponge as it relates to reproductive health. As an advocate, I want to learn so much.
I have to remind myself that I am still in the process of exploring fertility options, and to allow myself to feel my emotions. I also deal with it by always checking in with my husband. In this journey, your mate can fall by the wayside regarding being able to express himself. I want to make sure that we are in this together and for my husband to know that his feelings matter just as much as mine.
Q: What inspired you to start “The Endo Brunch” and can you share a bit about it?
The Endo Brunch is an annual event that I created for women and their loved ones with endometriosis. It is not limited to just endometriosis, as women with other reproductive conditions are welcome, as well.
I founded The Endo Brunch two years ago because I wanted a space where everyone can come together and meet other women within the community. It’s great to meet people on social media, but I wanted people to be able to leave with at least a new endo sister that they can bond with beyond that day. Having a chronic condition can be a very isolating experience. The Endo Brunch is the bridge to connect endo gals with love.
I made it my purpose to share my journey from inception to end because I did not see many black women openly sharing. I have done this with endometriosis and will continue to do the same with fertility.
Q: What are some of the misconceptions around black women and infertility?
Some of the misconceptions around black women and infertility are that it is easy for black women to get pregnant and that we do not seek fertility help. In actuality, that is far from the truth! In our community, most black women did not see other women in their family express the difficulty they went through in fertility. Years later we find out in passing or in conversation that they too dealt with the same issues. Fear and shame can also contribute to why we do not share in the area of infertility. Unless you take the time to search for a community to gain more knowledge and research, some black women end up suffering in silence.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey?
I made it my purpose to share my journey from inception to end because I did not see many black women openly sharing. I have done this with endometriosis and will continue to do the same with fertility. I, too, am still emotional on some days, as I think about the road ahead for me and my husband. However, I know that my journey to motherhood will be an amazing story for generations and generations that will come from my lineage.
