pregnancy
Support for Fertility Challenges
A recent survey from the nonprofit organization HealthyWomen found that about half of those surveyed had friends or family members who had experienced fertility problems. That's not surprising, since between 10 to 14 percent of couples will experience fertility problems at some point.
If your friend or family member is struggling with infertility, she needs your support and understanding now more than ever. Unfortunately, too many people get uncomfortable around this issue and say or do the wrong thing. That's why we've provided this roadmap:
10 Things You Should Not Say to a Friend Experiencing Infertility
- Pregnant yet? If your friend is pregnant, she'll tell you when she's ready. Don't keep asking her how it's going. Let her tell you in her own time.
- It could be worse. To a couple who wants children, it really can't be worse.
- Haven't you done enough? It is up to your friend to determine when enough is enough.
- Focus on the other parts of your life. This is really tough for a woman with infertility problems to do. For some women, her desire for a child becomes her life.
- Think of all the fun things you can do if you don't have children. If the couple didn't want children, they would not be going to the trouble they are to have them.
- How much is this costing you? This is none of your business!
- Are you sure you chose the best doctor? Don't question your friend's medical choice unless she asks your opinion.
- Just relax. Infertility is a medical condition, not a psychological one.
- You can always adopt. The couple already knows this. They are going through the expense and trouble of infertility treatments because that is the path they have chosen. At some point they may consider adoption, but not now.
- When my friend couldn't get pregnant... Your friend doesn't need to hear what worked for other people. Her efforts to conceive are hers alone.
10 Things You Should Say to a Friend Experiencing Infertility
