If you are coping with infertility, holding it inside of you like a secret can be incredibly stressful and difficult. Infertility is a type of loss, which means you may find yourself experiencing the stages of grief as you come to grasp the reality of your situation. Even though you have plenty of friends and loved ones who would be willing to support you through your infertility, it’s a difficult thing to talk about. Each woman feels ready to share her infertility with her friends and family members at a different point, so there is no right or wrong way for you to handle it. If you think you’re ready to be honest about your infertility with your loved ones, here are some tips to help you reveal such emotional information.
Plan Ahead to Decide How Much to Share
If you have a spouse or significant other, then that person is experiencing the realities of infertility right along with you. Before anything else, sit down with your partner and establish if you are both ready to let others know about your infertility. If one of you feels more prepared than the other, you may need to compromise. It’s best to decide what information you’re comfortable sharing, and don’t feel pressured to share every single detail with the rest of the world. If you encounter questions you really don’t want to answer, simply say, “I’d rather not get into the details, but I do appreciate your support.”
Take a Stance About Social Media
Facebook and Twitter have, for better or worse, transformed the way that we communicate in our society. How do you feel about sharing the news of your infertility on Facebook? Many people prefer infertility to remain a private struggle, but there are others that feel comforted by the large and widespread outpouring of support that social media can generate. Just make sure you decide your stance regarding social media so that you are prepared to act accordingly.
By preparing for the conversations surrounding your infertility, you can feel the relief of having shared such big news and benefit from the support your loved ones have to offer.
