Holiday Infertility Survival Guide

a blog by Laurence A. Jacobs, M.D., Fertility Centers of Illinois, January 11, 2012

Les Brown, a famous motivational speaker, often says, “Life is not a dress rehearsal." It's particularly meaningful during the month of New Year's Resolutions.

The desire for positive life-changes is in the air during January. And yet, this desire often doesn’t last long. Men and women have good intentions, but they usually lose steam as they roll through the year. For many of my patients, their infertility makes them feel absolutely miserable. So how can we change that? This article may seem a bit harsh to some, but I am simply being honest … it's tough love, but I'm trying to help.

To quote Dr. Phil: “You need to hear what you need to hear."

To follow are some common themes I hear among my patients:

a blog by Melinda Davis, December 21, 2011

The holidays can be tough for anyone struggling with infertility, so I wanted to offer a post of hope to those having a hard time right now. No matter where you’ve been, or what’s come along your path, now is the time to release it all.

Strength — This past year has brought growth to your life and made you stronger for the experiences that have come along the way. Whether you received your infertility diagnosis, went through fertility treatments, began exploring or entering the adoption process, or have taken a break from it all to reevaluate your situation, you have grown through each step and should be proud of how far you’ve come. If you look back at it all, I bet you have learned something new this year or have seen something in a new way. These experiences have not defeated you but have made you stronger, brought you insight and can help guide you as you make decisions for your future.

The lights, the noise, the social events you must attend, the hustle and bustle. Santa ringing a bell on every corner and endless Toys 'R Us commercials and the focus on children and presents. This time of year is stressful enough without throwing in the added burden of dreading social gatherings with people who will inevitably say the wrong thing about infertility and trying to conceive.