This week is National Infertility Awareness Week – a week focused on creating awareness that 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. You guys, that’s a lot. And I have to say, I am proud at how far we have come in the last few years. “Infertility” seems a little more talked about, people are responding with a lot more grace than discomfort, and more often than not, it invites others to say “me too”.
This year, RESOLVE is urging the infertility community to help spread the message “You are not alone.” Dealing with infertility can be isolating. So many people who struggle wonder why. We feel broken as we see our Newsfeed filling up with pregnancy announcements, gender reveal pictures, photo after photo of child-filled outings. The thing is though, there are others who understand how you are feeling. No one should have to walk through this alone.
If you are reading this today and are struggling, let me assure you of the fact that you are not alone.
You are not alone if you have never seen 2 pinks lines.
You are not alone if you have seen two pink lines but your arms are still empty.
You are not alone if you have to give yourself shots.
You are not alone if going to see the doctor (again) drains you of all your energy.
You are not alone if you are hopeful during a 2 week wait.
You are not alone if the thought of another 2 week wait makes your heart anxious.
You are not alone if you have ever laid in bed crying and wondering When? and Why?
You are not alone if you have felt like the only one who really feels like this.
You are not alone if you feel like you just can’t act like you have it all together one more day.
You are not alone if you are scared and confused.
You are not alone if you are questioning everything from trying to have your own child to learning about surrogates and gestational carriers.
You are not alone if you have heard that you are dealing with bad eggs.
You are not alone if you have heard that your partner has male infertility factors.
You are not alone if you are just giving it one more month.
You are not alone if you are afraid to say something to anyone because you anticipate a hurtful comment.
You are not alone if you need to seek a support group, find a counselor, take a break.
You are not alone if you engage in social media for support. (Instagram is the BEST group of ladies out there!)
You are not alone if you can’t remember the “pre-trying to conceive” you.
You are not alone if you aren’t sure when to seek help or talk to a specialist.
You are not alone if you are dealing with secondary infertility.
You are not alone if you are lead down a path to adoption.
You are not alone if you need to use donor eggs or donor sperm.
You are not alone if you feel like you can’t plan your life because you don’t know what the next 4 weeks will look like.
You are not alone if you have cut out gluten, dairy, sugar, red meat, vegetables that rhyme with “bale”, caffeine, anything with red dye …. all in hopes that this could be the thing that helps you get pregnant.
I could go on and on and on.
The point is, you are not alone. There are others out there with a similar story as you, feeling similar emotions, running down similar paths and wondering the same questions. Can I encourage you today to share your story? No, maybe it’s not going to be “coming out” on Facebook, but perhaps it’s telling a friend or a family member. Perhaps it’s starting the conversation with something like “What I am about to tell you is really hard for me because this is such a vulnerable and sensitive subject and I am just asking you to listen and be supportive …” I have a feeling that there will be many domino effects created as a result of your bravery to break the silence surrounding infertility.
Can I share one more thing?
I think that the greatest thing in the message You Are Not Alone is that you really aren’t ever alone because there is a God who loves you so much who is on the road with you, day in and day out. There are times and seasons where He seems so quiet. The silence of God is only temporary and I find it’s in the seasons of silence where I learn the most about Him and about myself. But apart from the seasons of silence, there are seasons of rich fellowship and community that is built by bringing our requests to His feet and trusting Him to walk with us down a path that is so hard, a path where we feel so weary.
God doesn’t always do exactly what we want Him to do, when we want Him to do it. I do believe though that even in the waiting and in the struggle of infertility, He is with us and because of that, we are never ever alone. We are never alone in the wee small hours of the morning when you’re hunched on the bathroom floor staring at another blank test. We are never alone when the ultrasound tech whispers “I am so sorry … let me get the doctor.” We are never alone when the emotions are bubbling.
I pray that during this week of Infertility Awareness, that others find deep, meaningful, rich relationships with other who are struggling so that they are reminded that they are not the outcasts, and even more so, I pray that others find the precious, peace-giving life that God has to offer in the midst of this battle.
Keep your chins up ladies, infertility does NOT get to beat us. We are not alone.
Here are some resources for those wanting to learn a basic understanding of the disease of infertility, for those who want to learn more about National Infertility Awareness Week, or that wants to read more facts from my NIAW blog last year or the year before.
Trials Bring Joy 
Yes! I love this.
Love this.
Great message! I just inadvertantly took your advice when I emailed a close friend who didn’t know about our journey with infertility this morning (we’ve kept the circle of people who know somewhat small). It was scary to hit send but I’m glad I did–particularly after reading this post. Thank you for the gentle reminder that we aren’t the outcasts we sometimes feel like we are :-)
I love this. Thank you for sharing. <3
We are not alone! Everything you mentioned above is very much true. Love it!
Love this! It is so encouraging to read this! Reassures me that I am not alone! Thank you for sharing this and uplifting me today!
Such truth Chelsea! Thanks for encouraging all of us! xoxo
Chelsea, I thank you for sharing your journey. I thank the Lord for you, you have been a saving grace for me through my own journey for about a year now. I just experienced my first pregnancy and my first miscarriage 2 weeks ago. The suffering in silence was the hardest part, but I opened up to a friend, and I honestly received the most help from just talking to her and learning the way she prayed through her own loss. I am so grateful to you for your wisdom. God works through you and you are a true blessing to us all who are TTC. Love your posts and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am sooo impressed. Thank you for giving me self-confident.
For too many years I have felt alone. Not anymore.Thank you Chelsea!
You aren’t alone! So thankful you know that. Hugs and love!
This is awesome! On Facebook this week I did a post this week and I posted a picture of myself with my RE and how grateful I was for a doctor to help us through infertility. I usually don’t post things like that but I feel like God has been challenging me to be more vocal about what we’ve gone through. Well when I posted that the response I received was OVERWHELMING! There were so many women going through it and who had gone through it who were encouraged by my sharing. Awareness is so important and to let other women know that they are not alone!
Ahhh I love this!!! Thank you for sharing and I love how you’re doing what you feel God is calling you to do! He works wonders with stories when we are open to following where he leads and when!!! You’re amazing!
This is awesome! On Facebook this week I did a post this week and I posted a picture of myself with my RE and how grateful I was for a doctor to help us through infertility. I usually don’t post things like that but I feel like God has been challenging me to be more vocal about what we’ve gone through. Well when I posted that the response I received was OVERWHELMING! There were so many women going through it and who had gone through it who were encouraged by my sharing. Awareness is so important and to let other women know that they are not alone!
Okay, this is actually quite creepy. I just had a new blogging friend share your blog with me as my husband and I are dealing with infertility as well. Get this — I posted a blog titled “We are the 1 in 10” on my blog on the exact same day as you (although I think my stats were a bit outdated, lol). Guess I was meant to find you. :) I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while this afternoon and am already so invested in your journey. As sad as I am to hear you are going through this, I’m so glad to have found your blog as a resource of hope and encouragement through all this. Bless you for being so open and for sharing your journey! You will be in my prayers!
I love how that happened! So not a coincidence! Love that you were connected to me through a friend (hi friend!!!). Thank you for reading along and investing in our journey. It always floors me to know that others follow along and read and care. You are in my prayers as well and know I am utterly appreciative of the ones you’ve offered up for me as well. Stay in touch! Xo!
Thanks for writing about this, Chelsea! I had no idea it was NIAW, or that such a thing even existed. This has been an especially challenging week with infertility disappointments, so your words definitely encouraged me!
I’m so glad you were able to learn more about it! And thanks for your encouragement too!!! We battle tough journeys but we will conquer them! Hugs!!
needed <3 <3 <3
Hugs!!!
Exactly what I needed to read today after another negative pregnancy test this weekend. I have never felt so alone in my life dealing with infertility over the past few years; even though I have an amazing and supportive husband there have been so many times where I just felt broken. Thank you for writing this and sharing your story!
I’m so sorry you have had to deal with the pain of feeling some …. I’m so glad this post made you feel a little less alone and I’m so sorry for your negative test. Those hurt so much. Sending you love + prayers tonight! Thank you for commenting and inviting me in to your story with you!