WHAT NEVER GREW
Some dreams never get to bloom. Mine ended before they began — in an operating room I didn’t ask for, with a future I didn’t get to choose. This is where I process the pain, the healing, and what it means to be whole without motherhood.
What Never Grew…
At twenty years old, I lost my womb.
Not in the figurative sense — in the literal, life-altering, surgically-removed kind of way. A hysterectomy before I even had the chance to try. To hope. To carry. To choose.
This blog was born from that absence. From the grief that didn’t have a name, and the ache that didn’t have a place to land. From the questions people didn’t know how to ask — and the ones I still ask myself.
What Never Grew is a raw, feminine, and deeply personal reflection on infertility after early hysterectomy.
It’s a space for the stories we whisper. The losses we bury. The identities we try to reclaim.
Here, I write about:
Life after unexpected loss
Healing from grief that’s invisible
Redefining womanhood without a womb
Honoring what could’ve been — and what still can be
Whether you’ve had a hysterectomy, are walking through infertility, or just feel like your body betrayed you before it got a chance — this is a place for you, too. A place for softness and honesty. For fierce tenderness. For what was taken — and what can still be made.
🌱 Infertility Resources & Specialists
Infertility is a journey no one ever expects to take—and no one should have to walk it alone. Below is a carefully curated list of trusted resources, support networks, and world-renowned doctors who are changing lives through their compassion, research, and care.
Whether you’re seeking information, emotional support, or leading-edge treatment, I hope this list helps you feel less alone and more empowered.
👩⚕️ Notable Specialists & Clinics
Dr. Ann Peters — Baltimore, MD
Reproductive Endocrinologist & Infertility Specialist
A compassionate, deeply experienced physician based in Baltimore, Dr. Ann Peters is widely respected for her work in both fertility treatment and gynecologic surgery. Her patient-centered approach and emotional understanding make her a true advocate for women facing hysterectomy, IVF, endometriosis, and infertility.
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Serena H. Chen — New Jersey
Director of Reproductive Medicine at IRMS.
Renowned for her advocacy, education efforts, and compassionate care, especially for patients with complex medical or emotional needs.
https://www.sbivf.com
CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine)
Founded by Dr. William Schoolcraft, CCRM is one of the most advanced fertility networks in the U.S., known for high success rates and state-of-the-art labs.
🔗 tps://www.ccrmivf.com
Shady Grove Fertility — Multiple U.S. Locations
One of the largest fertility centers in the country, including locations in Maryland and D.C., offering a full range of services from IVF to egg preservation.
🔗 https://www.shadygrovefertility.com
🧠 Educational & Emotional Support Resources
Resolve: The National Infertility Association
Offers support groups, advocacy, and guidance for anyone facing infertility.
🔗 https://resolve.orgFertilityIQ
A database of real patient reviews, doctor ratings, and educational content to help you make informed decisions.
🔗 https://www.fertilityiq.comThe Broken Brown Egg
A blog and community space centering Black women’s infertility journeys and access to care.
🔗 https://thebrokenbrownegg.org
I Am Fruitful
Christian-based encouragement, care packages, and community for women walking through infertility and loss.
🔗 https://www.iamfruitful.org
💬 Online Communities
r/Infertility on Reddit
A large, supportive community sharing stories, resources, and advice in a safe space.
🔗 https://www.reddit.com/r/infertilityFacebook Groups
"Infertility Support Group"
"Endometriosis and Hysterectomy Support"
💌 If you know of a resource, doctor, or community that helped you and deserves to be included here, please reach out at (evelyn.aus1618@gmail.com). This list is always growing, just like our strength.