21 Things Never to Say to Someone Struggling With Infertility Print 11 LikeDislike By Megan T We’re just going to state the obvious: Infertility is a very sensitive topic. There are so many people struggling to get pregnant for a variety of reasons and sometimes what they’re hearing from those around them doesn’t help ease their troubles. Often, comments that might seem like simple suggestions are actually pretty hurtful to those having difficulty conceiving.“The two years we struggled with infertility were the absolute worst years of our lives,” says Further Food contributor Debra Lau Whelan. “To be fair, most people have no idea if a couple is having problems getting pregnant. But I couldn’t believe the insensitive things I heard – even from doctors and nurses!”Further Food contributor Natalia Griffiths, whose infertility troubles included an underactive thyroid and PCOS, was also faced with comments that simply shocked her. “Saying these things to someone trying to get pregnant just isn’t helpful at all,” she says.So whether you’re aware of someone’s efforts to conceive or not, avoid the following statements:1. Just relax. You’ll get pregnant if you stop trying so hard. Probably one of the most frustrating to hear, telling a couple to relax about conceiving is a big no-no. You don’t know if her body isn’t ovulating or what else might be preventing them from having success.2. You guys would make the most beautiful babies! Sounds like a compliment, but to a couple having trouble getting pregnant, it’s just another reminder that it hasn’t happened yet.3. Did you have your husband checked out? Maybe he’s shooting blanks. It may sound like just a suggestion to you, but a comment like that can be quite offensive. Trust that the couple is taking every approach they can to figure out the issue.4. But you’re so young. Age isn’t everything. You don’t know if she has a condition that makes conceiving much more difficult, no matter how old she is.5. It’s in God’s hands. Bringing religious beliefs into the conversation is a risky move. You don’t know who believes in what.6. You should adopt. Do you know how many kids out there need good homes? While, yes, there are a lot of children who need families, you don’t know if the couple has already looked into the very detailed process of adoption. Or if, perhaps, they feel strongly about having their own biological children and haven’t given up on that dream just yet.7. Don’t worry. Today’s technology is amazing. I read somewhere that a woman gave birth in her 60s! Yes, people really say things like this! Suggesting that technology will save the day in the end just minimizes the couple’s whole journey.8. All of the following fall into the same category: I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant, again. I can’t believe I’m pregnant, and we weren’t even trying. We were only trying for a month…and I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant…with twins!If you know someone’s been struggling with conceiving, telling them you’re expecting can be like a knife to the heart. Of course, if it’s a close friend or family member, you’ll want to share your news, but be sensitive.9. Your eggs are old. Whether you’re a fertility doctor or just a friend, this is such an insult that places blame on the woman and essentially scolds her for trying to conceive at a certain age.10. Kids are so much work. You’re lucky you don’t have any! Sure, having children is work – but it’s work that person desperately wants to do. She doesn’t feel lucky in any way, but rather quite unlucky that it hasn’t happened yet.11. You should be happy. You already have one! Secondary infertility is just as painful. Just because a couple was able to have a child doesn’t mean not being able to conceive again is any less difficult.12. Maybe it’s for the best. A couple desperately wanting a child (or an additional child) will never think their unsuccessful attempts were “for the best.”13. Are you pregnant yet? Talk about pressure. Even if the person has shared that they’re trying to get pregnant, it’s best not to ask if it’s happened yet.14. That’s what happens when you wait so long to have another one. This is just simply untrue, so bursting out with this blanket statement doesn’t help anybody.15. At least you don’t have cancer. Just enjoy what you have! You’ll never know exactly how that person feels struggling with infertility. Comparing it to a disease that you think is worse is basically telling them their feelings are invalid.16. Don’t rush things. Just think how lucky you guys are being able to go on nice vacations. Anyone trying to have a baby isn’t thinking about lying on a beach or sightseeing abroad.17. So when are you going to do IVF? Not only is in vitro fertilization costly, but that’s such a personal question, and if the person hasn’t shared any information about it, maybe they don’t want to discuss it.18. You should see a different doctor. It’s pretty likely they’ve already done that. People struggling with infertility get different opinions, try different approaches and often have many, many consultations. They don’t need you to suggest the obvious.19. Are you taking good care of yourself? No one needs you to question their health or habits. It’s their doctor’s place to discuss factors like diet, exercise, stress and more.20. Maybe you’ve been too focused on your career. Just because someone chose to put a lot of energy into work doesn’t mean that’s the cause of their fertility troubles. Better not to shame their choices when you can’t clearly link the two.21. Get a dog! Sure, pets can certainly be considered family, but to those hoping to have a baby, it doesn’t compare. So just don’t say it.So what should you say, if anything at all?Further Food expert Dr. Nicole Avena, who struggled to get pregnant herself, says infertility is something that many couples deal with, often silently. “I had a few miscarriages, plus I have PCOS, and we have genetic abnormalities that made it tough for me to get pregnant,” she shares. “Now, we have two beautiful daughters, but for many years it wasn’t easy. After my first miscarriage, I learned to keep my mouth shut because it is hard to tell people you aren’t pregnant anymore.”Her best advice is to acknowledge their pain, not dismiss it.She gives three tips on what to say instead:Tell them you’re sorry they’re struggling with this and that you’re there to listen if they want to talk or vent about it. It can be uncomfortable to hear about a friend’s pain, and often we try to make them feel better by saying things that they can take the wrong way (“I’m sure you will get pregnant soon”).Don’t act like you know what they are going through, because you don’t. Everyone’s infertility is different, and even if you have struggled to get pregnant yourself, it is not the same for everyone.Refrain from asking anyone if they are going to have kids (or more kids). Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some people don’t have any children by choice, or just one child by choice.The bottom line: You never know when people are struggling with infertility, so be mindful of that and choose your words carefully.Learn how to use nutritional and lifestyle changes to help with increase changes of pregnancy with Feed Your Fertility: Your Guide to Cultivating a Healthy Pregnancy with Chinese Medicine, Real Food, and Holistic LivingReady to cut sugar out from your life? Take the #SugarPledge and sign up for our FREE 7-Day Sugar Detox ChallengeBE HEALTHY EVERY DAY with Further Food Collagen Peptides! Did you know that collagen is is critical in repairing your gut lining and maintaining a healthy gut? Learn more here!Want more? You might also like:They Said I’d Never Get Pregnant Naturally with PCOS… Here’s How I Proved Them WrongCan’t Get Pregnant? Why Gluten Might Be The CulpritJust Diagnosed with PCOS? The First 10 Steps You Need to TakeOverweight and Trying for a Healthy Pregnancy? 5 Essential Diet Tips Note: PLEASE consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
CMCole August 13, 2018 at 4:52 pmMy husband and I are struggling with infertility and adopted/gained custody of a fifteen-year old. She stayed with us for three months and expressed that she was not comfortable with our lifestyle (we do not allow teens to have cell phones after midnight and we discovered that she started posting inappropriate pictures on social media so of course we took the cell phone temporarily as a consequence). This was the primary reason that she wanted to leave. Before living with us, she had ZERO rules and structure. Sadly, she requested to return to her grandmother (after initially expressing dissatisfaction with her grandmother’s rules). Our feelings were hurt, but we did not put up a fight and she returned. With that being said, adopting kids is not a piece of cake. Adopted children come with unique (sometimes difficult) backgrounds that first time parents may or may not be equipped to handle. Some personality traits are genetic and no matter how much classical conditioning you use to raise the children the best you can, DNA exerts its influence. The child may not ever truly imprint on you or he/she may locate and draw close to blood relatives; these are the risks you take when you adopt so before you do it you need to be prepared for the best and the worst-case scenarios. I agree that adoption should not be treated as a last resort. Adoption, like teaching, is a calling and you are not wrong if you do not feel called to do it. BIG IDEA: Don’t suggest adoption if you would not take on the responsibility of adopting yourself. You have no clue what you are talking about or the responsibility it involves. Also, just because someone is infertile does not mean he/she is prepared to adopt. Adopting a child presents a unique set of potential challenges and is not the same situation as having your own child. Reply ↓
HHH August 8, 2018 at 1:50 pmYes! Adoption’s purpose is to provide children with homes. Adoption does NOT exist to provide infertile couples with children. People are not selfish if they DO NOT want to adopt. Adoption comes with many different issues for all the members of the adoption triad: birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees. Some couples don’t feel they can cope with that, and that’s just fine. Reply ↓
Tracy Little December 11, 2017 at 9:13 pmOn behalf of the thousands of adoptees or potential adoptees, I’d like to thank you for your insensitivity by acting like adoption is a last resort. If your “dream” of having a biological kid fails, then adopt? So we’re a consolation prize? Let me tell you there are plenty of awesome kids just waiting to be adopted. If someone suggests adoption and you are offended, you may want to question your readiness for parenthood. Reply ↓
Caroline Finch December 6, 2017 at 5:37 amI know people (usually) mean well when saying these things, but it stings. I usually smile and change the subject but inside I’m raging. I learned to just not talk about infertility with friends, especially one I considered close. The adoption thing is especially hard to hear. I, like nearly everyone I know, have a primal, biological urge to have a child. My own child, with my own dna. It’s very selfish, but there you go. I don’t suggest adoption to fertile people who want a baby of their own, so what makes it ok to say it to infertile people? Also, I find it very demeaning to have strangers come into my house, go through my belongings, go through my personal history, etc., and deem me a good potential parent or not. Besides, my husband does not want to adopt. Thus we are exploring ART medicine field. Recently I found clinic in Ukrainian capital which seemed perfect for us. But at the same time I found lots reviews from their ex patience who claims about overcrowded and sultry corridors. Some patients even sleep there while waiting to be tested etc. So for now we just consider Biotex clinic as an option. Maybe they just have such period. We were in near tears after the RE appointment where we were told his tests came back with no improvement. So much self-control needed. Some people just cannot empathize with us at all. Reply ↓
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