Dealing with infertility can be rough, especially during the holidays. Infertility is an extremely personal experience and emotions can run high when discussing it with others who have not had a similar experience.
While most people want to be supportive and are truly well-intentioned, they may not know exactly how to help. When you’re struggling with infertility you need all the support you can get, even though it may feel like work to express yourself and tell the people around you exactly what you need.
Thankfully, we reached out to our FertiliTalk support network which is made up of over 1,000 members who are currently or have previously suffered from infertility and asked them for some advice on how to deal with infertility during the holiday season.
Please share this list to help spread infertility awareness this holiday season.
DON’T:
- Tell me to “just relax” or “have a drink to loosen up.” I’ve tried that already, please no more suggestions.
- Tell me it would be a great new year’s resolution
- Tell me to not worry if I already have a child and to enjoy the holiday with them, when all I want is another
- Tell me a great gift would be adoption
- Send me a holiday card with all your children
DO:
- Tell me you don’t know what to say or do to help
- Give me a nice compliment like you like my holiday outfit this year
- Leave me inspirational notes
- Get me cozy gifts like neck warmers, nice socks, massages
- Tell me to treat myself to a day of beauty, yoga or acupuncture
- Buy me personal gifts that will make me smile
Our fertility doctors and support team are here to help you learn how to cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with infertility. For some, infertility can be physically and emotionally painful. Others need help focusing on how to deal with another’s responses, how to choose the right medical treatment, or how to begin exploring other family building options. For others, it may be on how to control, stress, anxiety, or depression.
Contact us to learn how we take a collaborative approach to patient care.
