National Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and I wanted to share a little…..awareness.

The beginning of this month started with a day that many use to play jokes and pranks on their friends, family, coworkers, children, and social media followers. The interesting thing is that April Fool’s Day can be traced all the way back to 1392 on a misunderstanding.

But isn’t that how most foolish things start? On a misunderstanding? My hope with this blog post is to clear up some of the foolish misconceptions about infertility. Here are 10 things that will help the fertile, easy to conceive ladies with the journey us TTC ladies are on:

1. Infertility is not a joke: April 1 was/is not a day to pretend you’re pregnant. Getting pregnant is no laughing matter. I’m sure your intentions are light-hearted but for those women who long for the moment you’re joking about, it could be heart-wrenching and depressing to see you make light of such a difficult season for someone else. They may never say it to you, but I will say it for them: “It’s not funny, ever”.

2. 1 in 8 couples have trouble achieving or sustaining a pregnancy. Count off 8 women you know, at least one of them falls into this category. Keep in mind, these are the ones who report it. Some women don’t even realize they can seek medical treatment for their condition.

3. The cost of infertility treatment/adoption is the number one reason couples do not utilize it. Think about that. Millions of couples with an aching desire to be parents but can’t because of the cost to make that dream a reality.

4. All infertility is not the same. Some have been diagnosed with a medical condition that prevents conception. Some can conceive but cannot sustain a pregnancy. Others have no answers on why their bodies won’t be the safe places for the children of their dreams.

5. Every infertile woman doesn’t want to steal your baby but she may be living with a broken heart. Pray for her, don’t ostracize her.

6. Just because she has children doesn’t mean she isn’t struggling with infertility. Circumstances may have changed that no longer allow her the opportunity to conceive or give birth. Or those children you say may not be the fruit of her womb.

7. Infertility does not discriminate. This condition affects women of every race, color, creed, and economic status. Men are not excluded from the number of those diagnosed with infertility.

8. You don’t just “get over” infertility. Infertility is not a choice, decision, or feeling. It is the reality for so many. When you think they’re being dramatic or over-the-top, whisper a prayer for their mental, spiritual, and emotional state.

9. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive.  If you are over the age of 35, the time of trying to conceive is reduced to 6 months. So, if you know someone who fits into one of these categories but hasn’t sought the direction of a Physician, please encourage them to do.

10. Infertility is not a punishment. I am a woman of strong faith and this comes up so many times in the faith community. God NEVER closed the womb of a woman as punishment. Actually, He placed a blessing on the barren woman in Isaiah 54. Don’t persecute those that are already wounded.

Awareness is knowledge and knowledge leads to wisdom. Spend this week educating yourself on the truth instead of succumbing to the foolishness of the incorrect information being passed around. Someone is counting on you to get it right.

With All My Love,
Mrs. Truscott