How has IWSTHAB Affected You?
We asked the IWSTHAB community: How has IWSTHAB affected you? Here are their responses. Success for us is holding space for the people who are crumbling.
The Stranger Who Sees You Clearly
“I’m not sure what you were holding onto, but it was clear that it was upsetting you — for when I looked over, a few quiet tears were running down your face.”
A Negative Pregnancy Test Is Not Your Fault
Reasons you got anegative pregnancy test this cycle: None of these are true. No matter what anyone says- it’s not your fault. A negative pregnancy test is not your fault.
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
“We’ve tried different protocols, tried doing some natural remedies, tried over 4 clinics. It’s been 10 IVF retrievals so far. We spent thousands of dollars. And my daughter is still our only child.”
All Infertility Is Hard
Holding space for this anonymous follower and all of you who feel like you’re not worthy to be in this community. You don’t know if you have a place.
IUI Is Hard
Almost all infertility stories talk about the difficulty of IVF. But what about IUI (intrauterine insemination)? Here a woman writes about her feelings going through multiple rounds of IUI. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
My Personal Infertility Story
I want to highlight one important piece of this story. Anyone who is struggling to have a child, whatever the reason, feels a complex jumble of emotions.
Still Very Much Unpregnant
For those of you still very much unpregnant, I get it. It’s hard. It’s lonely. It’s anxiety-provoking. It makes you feel like a failure.”
Infertility and Privacy
Choosing privacy means that you’re taking charge of your unique journey. You own the story, not the other way around.
Infertility Is Being Trapped
Being trapped in a situation where you feel like you should’ve graduated years ago. Watching the people around you move on and level up.
Infertility: Forever Waiting
When will the time be right? When will Hashem (G-d) hear me crying out to him in pain, calling to Him from the depths of my heart and soul Can He hear me?
You Can Survive
But, I’m here to tell you that you CAN survive. I don’t know how I did it, but I did. The pain and anxiety was crippling so many times. But I’m here.
Infertility and Loss Are Not Shameful
I suffered deeply through 6 years of infertility and three miscarriages, and I’m tired of the whispered phone calls I get. Infertility and loss are not shameful.
Infertility & Feeling Inadequate
Another younger sister is BH (Gd willing) getting married next month and I sometimes worry if they too will have kids before us. I try not to worry about the future, I just can’t bring myself to be together with them.
Stop The Blame Game
So many people are writing in that they tried so hard to do all the ‘right thing’ (religion wise) and they feel they’re not good enough because no matter how closer to God they are, he still hasn’t answered them.
Changed By Infertility
“Because so many things that we’ve tried have failed, I have lost confidence in the fact that one day I will be a mother. I worry constantly about what that might look like for someone and it scares me.”
I’m Tired
“I’m tired of being poked and prodded. I’m tired of sharing my medical history yet again. I’m tired of throwing money down the drain. I’m tired of not being able to breathe. I’m so tired.”
Infertility & the Workplace
“I waited around at my current role too long before looking elsewhere for a critical career move, hoping I would get pregnant and have some stability at work by staying.”
Why Won’t You Come
We are so grateful for this community and appreciate when you share your writings with us. This poem depicts the pain experienced along an infertility journey.
Episode 18: Infertility Isolation with Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C
Dvora Entin joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about the isolation of infertility and loss, how to be helpful when someone is suffering, and the unique pain of secondary infertility.