Infertility can be a difficult experience to face on your own, but the idea of talking to friends and family about your struggles can feel overwhelming as well. However, sharing can be a crucial part of the process when it comes to moving forward and finding support during a challenging time.
Let’s explore a few things to keep in mind if you plan on sharing your infertility journey with your loved ones.
Respect Your Own Boundaries
When sharing your situation with others in your life, you may find that you’re faced with reactions that don’t help from people who still mean well. It can be difficult to navigate these conversations, but setting respectful and clear boundaries with your loved ones can prove to be helpful. For example, if a friend brings up adoption as an alternative, you could say something like, “Right now, all I would like is a sympathetic ear to talk to, as my fertility team and I are working through the process together.”
Decide Who You Want to Tell
Telling one person about your infertility struggles might be a relatively easy process, one that you know will be met with love and acceptance. Telling others might not present the same reactions you’d like to see. Because of this, it’s important to decide who you want to tell and who you don’t. Try not to feel obligated to talk about your journey if you don’t want to. It’s your journey, after all, and you don’t have to tell anyone that you don’t want to know when it comes to what you’re going through.
Decide How Much You Want to Share
When you tell your friends and family members about your infertility struggles, you might be planning to share only the basics. You might also decide that you want to share as much as possible. Either way, who you share with and how much information you want to provide is your choice and it’s important to stick to your own plans when it comes to the amount of information you choose to provide.
Of course, your loved ones might be very curious about your journey, but don’t feel like you have to provide any more information than what you’ve decided you’re comfortable sharing.
Take Care of Yourself
For some, talking about experiences with infertility can be a source of relief, but for others, the conversation can be very taxing. Whether you feel either way, remember to take care of yourself first and foremost. What you’re going through affects you and your partner significantly more than it’s going to affect those you decide to tell about it. As such, it’s important to keep an eye on your mental health and practice self-care whenever you can. Seek support when you’re feeling upset and take time to yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Sharing your infertility journey with your family and friends is a personal decision and there’s no uniform approach when it comes to handling the way it proceeds. Be kind to yourself throughout your conversations and know that you are not alone.
