Stories from the Community
The following are an assortment of essays, creative writing, journal entries, poetry, and more from people in our shared community.
The Relaxation Myth: Why 'Just Relax' Is the Last Thing to Say to Someone Dealing with Infertility
Hear directly from people with infertility on why “Just Relax” is more harmful than helpful.
When Mother's Day Hurts: Navigating through Infertility & Loss
The sense of exclusion from a holiday meant to honor motherhood can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, grief, and isolation.
How you can help those you care about.
Surrogacy, the greatest gift
Highschool sweethearts learn early in life that they will face challenges, turn to surrogacy to build their family.
The constant need of having to advocate
Nikola shares her experience and frustrations in advocating for testing and trust.
Taking my own path to motherhood
Dealing with PCOS, Kirsty shares her story of how her story began as a teenager and continues to this day.
The Heartbreak of Missed Miscarriage
It took 3.5 years, one miscarriage, and four failed IUIs before Laura and Sam conceived their daughter, Hannah. Here is her journey.
Interview with Alicia: 8 years and counting
“Infertility has changed every single relationship I have in my life. Sadly, most relationships have not changed for the better.”
Our Ride with Unexplained Infertility
"Our faith has been shaken to the core. And yet it has grown in leaps and bounds. Our dreams shattered and rebuilt.”
Interview with Danika: PCOS & the need for Support Systems
Danika deals with PCOS, a partner often away, and the challenges faced when diagnosis comes later.
Interview with Corey: Through Loss and Hope
After losing her daughter, Kinsley, at 2 months old, it was a dream of making Kinsley a big sister that kept her going.
“Once a member, always a member”
Katie and her husband, Mike, were not willing to give up hope when they were told donor sperm was the only option… so they kept looking for more answers!
She Has That “Fertile Feeling”
It took over a decade for Françoise and her partner Remigius to conceive their first child Benjamin through IVF. They are currently trying for a little brother or sister. The journey has been such a life-changing one that Françoise quit her job at a prestigious international affairs think tank so that she could dedicate all her time to sharing the lessons she has learned along the way with others.
Interview with Juliane: When IVF is only the first hardship…
Juliane’s hardship really began with IVF… and then came the premature birth’s of her children. She is such a reminder that the battle is not always won at the positive pregnancy test!
10 Tools for Coping with Infertility During Holidays
The holidays are less than joyous occasions when they become reminders of what we don’t have in life, rather than times to appreciate what we do have. For couples and individuals struggling with infertility, holidays can be a painful reminder of what you’re missing most from your life. Here are 10 Coping Tips to get through the tough days.
Interview with Alecia: How She Pivots Her Perspective
Alecia has tried IUI, IVF, Surrogacy… while she is not done trying, it has forced her to ask the tough questions of “when is enough enough?”
Interview with Lucero: Escaping Abuse for her future family
Lucero is many things. She is a domestic violence survivor who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, a candidate for State Senate, a first generation immigrant, an ironman triathlete, and a mentor. She has overcome loss, grief, and abuse all to come through with an IVF baby on the way.
Here is her story.
Contingency Planning
Steph and her partner have to navigate their fertility journey alongside the complications of being in the military. Let’s just say, it gets complicated!
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