Purpose
This next voice from the community is from a follower experiencing a deeply painful and lonely infertility journey, not feeling purposeful or having a purpose.
“Are We Not Deserving of Descendants too?”
This is infertility. This is the raw, unfiltered side. Where we ask, Why her and not me? Am I not good enough? Did I do something wrong?
Those of Us Who Will Never Be Able to Have Children
Every person has their own journey with fertility. Some have happy endings… and some don’t. We’ll never sugar coat it and make empty promises. Come as you are and we’ll hold you as you are.
“I am holding my sweet 2 month old baby boy while my sister-in-law buried her baby girl 2 weeks ago.”
How do I tell my sister who just had a loss that I am pregnant? Swipe to read this next voice from the community about relationships, loss, and guilt. And read that last slide twice. It’s a good one. 🫂
Clothing Shopping
Infertility impacts every aspect of your life. Even ones you never would have expected… clothing shopping used to be fun and exciting? Nope. Not anymore. Too many variables and questions.
The Final Immersion
It’s not quite six weeks after my complete hysterectomy and I am still somewhat sore. Tonight is the last night that I will ever immerse in the mikveh for the mitzvah of taharat hamishpacha.
Extra Stringencies with Niddah and Mikvah
You don’t get extra points for keeping the laws of nidda/mikvah more stringently than necessary. A sensitive rabbi or yoetzet well versed in this area and attuned to mental health can help.
Mikvah and Closure
After my first miscarriage, I just waned to go to the mikvah to put closure to the pregnancy. With my second loss, I didn’t want to go to mikvah because I didn’t want the closure.
Mikvah is Hard
From the moment I stepped into a Mikvah for when I had to go before my wedding, it was the most hardest, uncomfortable, and just plain painful for me to ever do.
Why I Hate the Mikvah
I dread the mikvah. I rarely experience anxiety, but the mikvah gives me anxiety. I once took my birth control pill for eight months straight to avoid getting my period, which is not safe.
Crying at the Mikvah
Last month I cried when I got out of the water. Couldn’t control it. I cried so hard like I had the day we got our results [when we were diagnosed with infertility]. I couldn’t stop.
My Last Trip to the Mikvah
“I just went to the mikvah for the last time. I am 28 years old. This time I walked into the mikvah knowing that there was a hundred percent, no miracle out there could ever help me carry another baby.”
Mikvah Jealousy
Infertility Confession: I’m jealous of other women who can come home from the mikvah and have fun with their husbands withoutthe stress of infertility.
My Period Feels Like a Slap in the Face
As if infertility wasn’t hard enough, then niddah comes along and makes it 100 times harder 😩 When all you want is a hug… and you can’t have it. It just crushes you all over again.
The Niddah Diaries
We’ve compiled some of your thoughts and feelings around niddah and mikvah. Swipe to read through them and read entries about The Niddah Diaries.
Mixed Emotions About Taharat HaMishpacha
PSA: It’s normal if you dread niddah. It’s normal if niddah brings you some comfort. You are normal. Give yourself grace and let go of the guilt.
Surrogacy After Loss
I always knew surrogacy would be my path to having a child of my own. When I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cervical cancer.
Don’t Say This: Mikvah Attendant Edition
Mikvah is hard for many people in the fertility community and emotions often run high during a visit. Many innocent things that are said can be sources of pain. Keep it simple.
When Your Provider is Visibly Pregnant
How do you navigate through finding out your healthcare provider, the one who is supposed to help YOU have a baby, is pregnant themselves?
Therapy Is a Tool
Not everyone who goes through difficult times needs therapy. However, there is no reason to suffer through a hard time if you are really struggling.