Finding Your Village: 6 Ways Your Loved Ones Can Support Your Fertility Journey
Fertility struggles reshape your emotional world, physical health and relationships. Though the journey might feel isolating, your loved ones can become vital to your support system. When you share what you need and let them help, they can ease burdens and offer lasting comfort. However, many struggle to understand how you need them to show up during this sensitive time. These five strategies can help you establish the support you need and build a village that will nurture you along your fertility journey.
1. Educate Them About Infertility
When those close to you understand fertility's medical and emotional aspects, they can provide you with meaningful support. Research indicates empathy fosters trust and collaboration in challenging situations. While infertility might seem daunting, acquiring fundamental knowledge dispels damaging myths and nurtures compassion.
If you have fertility books or resources you enjoy reading, consider sharing them with your loved ones. They can read along with you and become better equipped to listen when you talk about your infertility. Learning alongside you can also be a gesture of love — one that says, “I want to be here in a way that matters.”
2. Open Up About Similar Experiences
Infertility is still a taboo subject for many. Some feel embarrassed or ashamed of their struggles to get pregnant, but avoiding the conversation only reinforces that shame. While no one is required to share personal information, it can be comforting when your loved ones share similar experiences. When you open up to someone, you may learn that they’ve been through a similar situation.
If you don’t have family or friends who have experienced infertility, you can also seek out an infertility support group. Whether online or in-person, a fertility support group provides a space for shared experiences, coping strategies and empowerment. These groups create a community of women going through the same stages of life as you. Opening the conversation is the first step in normalizing infertility discussions and ensuring women like you know they are not alone.
3. Ask for Practical Help When You Need It
Fertility treatments frequently alter your daily schedules and energy levels, making practical assistance truly impactful. Cooking meals, organizing transportation to appointments or caring for other children gives you some much-needed rest. While these acts may appear minor, they significantly reduce your decision fatigue and provide emotional comfort.
When a family member asks if you need anything, your first instinct may be to politely decline. Don’t be afraid to be honest. Ask if they can drop off a meal or run an errand for you.
4. Strengthen Your Connections
Meaningful social connections are essential for your overall physical health, mental well-being and longevity. For example, when people empathize with your emotions or feelings, it can reduce your reactivity and assist in managing negative experiences. That care may ultimately lead to improved mental and physical health.
You might find yourself pulling away from people during this time when you’re feeling sad or disheartened. However, you need to fight the urge to separate yourself from others. Going for a walk with a friend or calling a family member can give you a mood boost anytime you need it. Try to schedule regular meetups with friends and family who understand that you need their support.
5. Set Appropriate Boundaries
Boundaries establish your comfort levels regarding time, emotional sharing and physical presence. You might consider discussing information and resources that clarify your perspective and requesting that others refrain from excessive questioning. When people honor these boundaries, it helps you feel safe and reduces the necessity for ongoing explanations.
Many women know the feeling of facing intrusive questions and unsolicited advice when it comes to pregnancy. Some people mean well when they do this, but you need to embolden yourself to set healthy boundaries. Tell your loved ones when you don’t want their advice. Be honest about which topics you are open to discussing, and which ones you prefer to keep private.
These are some more actionable tips for upholding personal boundaries:
Effective communication relies on honesty, openness, and clarity in sharing thoughts and feelings.
Respect for others requires the capacity to listen to and comprehend their perspectives, avoiding judgment and hostility.
To communicate what you need, you must recognize your needs and articulate them clearly, without fear of being honest.
Building Your Compassionate Support System
Support from loved ones can make the fertility journey more manageable and meaningful. Strategies like these help create a safe space for you to heal and hope. A small gesture of understanding can strengthen your bond and help you feel less alone.
Even during uncertain seasons, empathy and connection offer steady ground. Each thoughtful act strengthens your emotional foundation.
Cora Gold is a motherhood and wellness writer and the Editor in Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She writes about mental health for women and moms and loves connecting with others through her work. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and X.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.