Relating with friends and family during your infertility journey (Episode 3)
Posted on April 18, 2008
cc photo courtesy of Flickr user theparadigmshifter.
In today’s episode, I discuss how to manage relationships as you navigate your infertility journey. I openly discuss how I handled my relationships during our infertility. Infertility creates an interesting dynamic between the fertile and infertile as well as those who just don’t “get it.”
When we found out one of Dave’s friends was expecting it was devastating to me. We had other friends who were pregnant or trying to conceive, but for some reason this particular news hit me harder than I anticipated. All of a sudden I wanted nothing to do with this couple. Why? I have no idea. Still to this day, I don’t know why I struggled emotionally when I found out this particular couple became pregnant.
To make matters worse, Dave and I seemed to forget how to communicate with one another during our infertility. It was like we spoke two different languages and neither of us could understand the other. And even though we thought we were good communicators prior to our infertility, this challenge taught us we still had a long way to go.
Relatives can stress any marriage. Throw infertility or anything baby related into the mix and watch the sparks fly. When Dave and I found out we were infertile I did little to bond with his family and I hoped they would reach out to me in my time of need. Since I failed to communicate with them about my emotions they had no idea how to approach me or how to manage their relationship with me. Whether you talk openly with your own relatives or in-laws or do so together as a team, communication with relatives is important even if it is only to educate them on the medical aspects of your journey. Even if they don’t “get it” they might just surprise you with a little bit of compassion.
» Filed Under Marriage, Personal Growth, Podcast
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