Few topics in the motherhood sphere are more tender than infertility. We all know someone who has struggled to conceive or has lost a pregnancy. Many of us have struggled ourselves. And even though 1 in 8 women’s lives are marked by infertility, this is still a difficult subject to talk about.
City Mom Collective values conversation and listening to the perspectives of moms who have been through really hard things. By sharing the stories of moms who have experienced infertility, we hope to help and support moms who are struggling in silence.
Seeking Infertility Treatment
None of these posts should be considered medical advice. Women should always consult medical professionals when seeking and making decisions about treatment for infertility. However, it is always valuable to read the stories of women who have been in the same or similar circumstances.
5 Reasons to See a Fertility Specialist, Even Without Obvious Fertility Issues
Is It Endometriosis? One Mom’s Real-Life Journey to Diagnosis
https://oklahomacity.momcollective.com/iui-trenches-part-one/
Struggling Through Infertility: You are Not Alone
If you are struggling with infertility, it can feel like you are the only woman in the world without a baby in her arms. Sometimes it can be helpful to read other women’s stories about the pain and heartache- but also the hope.
Infertility: You Never Know How Bad You Want Something Until You Ugly Cry in Chili’s (Part 1)
https://charleston.momcollective.com/pregnancy/from-needles-to-natural-the-next-step-in-our-journey-with-infertility/
Secondary Infertility
Secondary infertility is a unique pain, and yet, it rarely comes up in the conversation surrounding infertility and loss. But we need to be talking about the experience of trying and struggling to have another child after a successful pregnancy.
Dreams on Hold:: Secondary Infertility, Pandemics, and my IVF Journey
10 Perfectly Normal Emotions Felt When Dealing With Secondary Infertility
https://coloradosprings.momcollective.com/infertility/second-time-around-infertility-doesnt-get-easier/
Supporting Friends Through Infertility
We all want to be a trusted friend. We want to be the one our friends come to with their grief and frustrations. And yet, sometimes we struggle with what to say and do. These resources all offer great suggestions on what to say, what not to say, and how to be most helpful to our friends walking through infertility.
What to Do (and What Not to Do) When Your Friends Are Dealing with Infertility
When Your Friends Say the Wrong Thing :: National Infertility Awareness Week
https://charleston.momcollective.com/education/infertility-supporting-1-8/
Pregnancy and Parenting After Infertility
Women who have walked through infertility will tell you that the experience of loss and/or struggling to conceive marks their subsequent pregnancies and parenting in many ways.
Wishing We Weren’t Done: Letting the Baby Things Go after Infertility
Additional Resources for Infertility Support
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association offers resources, education and support for those walking through infertility. National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) was founded by RESOLVE in 1989 and works to empower women to change the conversation about infertility and loss. They have a great list of podcasts and books on the subject, as well as many, many other resources and ways to find support.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has a helpful FAQ page with answers to questions about evaluation and treatment for infertility.
The Hope for Fertility Foundation offers grants to families to families across the US struggling with infertility. They offer financial assistance to help pay for treatment, surrogacy, and adoption.
The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation also offers grants in the form of financial assistance to families going through infertility.
You’re Allowed to Complain About Your Kids, Even After Infertility from The New York Times
At some point, everyone will be touched by infertility. If you are walking this painful road or have a friend or family member who is, we hope these resources from City Mom Collective and others will be a source of infertility support, hope and healing.
