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Infertility

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things to avoid/things that are helpful to say to friend starting infertility treatment soon

28 replies

cantbelieveimonhere · 28/08/2015 21:29

Friend starting infertility treatment soon. I want to be supportive, but also realistic.
Any advice re: language that is helpful or unhelpful?
-any things that you've found patronizing or demoralising to be avoided?
-any things that you've found helpful?

Thanks in advance MN

OP posts:
lugo40 · 21/09/2015 14:13

I just told my mum that the last test results were worse than ever so it's highly unlikely me and dh can have a child together (ie we need a donor or adoption). She said "oh well, it's not meant to be" . The kind of thing you might say if someone didn't manage to book theatre tickets for a show or get a job they wanted!!! She then proceeded to talk for an hour about what she's buying my sisters children for Christmas. I don't know how I held back the tears tbh

Elektra83 · 22/09/2015 08:11

What blaeberry said - all of it!

My best friend and I were ttc-ing at the same time, she got pregnant after about 8 months I think. She didn't tell me straight away - which was fine, in fact (and I feel a little bad for stealing her thunder!) I guessed that she was pregnant! She lives overseas so thankfully all of our conversations happened over email rather than on the phone.

After a few days of excitement - talking about her appointments etc (completely envious at my end - the mix of emotions was horrible) we had a 'chat' on email, we dealt with the elephant in the room, she asked how I was feeling, that she was worried about telling me. I was completely honest with her - told her it was bittersweet, so happy for her but sad that I wasn't there with her. I was bawling in real life, full on ugly crying face! It didn't help that I was on my period at the time!

It was good to get it out between us, but I did do what blaeberry said above - I backed off, conversations were there but I wasn't as forthcoming (especially about my own fertility issues). I would only tell her if she asked and she rarely asked.

She has had her baby now and sends me pictures, updates and whilst it's lovely I'd still rather bury my head in the sand - not because she has a baby and I don't but mostly because I hate feeling conflicted, I can't seem to be happy for her without being sad for me. Hopefully by the time I go and see her in a month or so I will have got over that!

ungoogleable and lugo40 that's awful! I'm so sorry to hear your family said that stuff to you! I haven't told my mum because she would just worry and then ask me millions of questions which I can't cope with! I refuse to tell my brother/sister in law because I fear comments like that will come my way too!

anonymoususername1 · 01/11/2015 17:16

DELIGHTED to say my friend has had a BFP!!!!! :)

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