National Infertility Awareness Week
National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is typically the last week in April, this year it falls from April 22-28. This week provides us with the opportunity to shine a light on the facts surrounding infertility in hopes of reducing the stigma surrounding the topic. It is a week to raise awareness about infertility, the non-existent support structures, and the challenges of those facing a hard fertility journey. One in eight couples are affect by infertility, and it does not discriminate by race, sexuality, gender, economic status or religion. This week is often a time for people to share their fertility journey stories, and for communities to come together to support one another to hopefully make the journey a little easier. Nobody should have to walk this journey alone.
Although fertility struggles are common, it is still often stigmatized and not talked about openly. Those struggling with infertility can often feel powerless and alone, NIAW helps to connect communities and create a platform for people’s voices to be heard. This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I have walked alongside countless people during their fertility journeys and have been there for the ups and the downs. I have cried tears of joy and sorrow with many, and hope to provide a space of felt safety. My hope this week is to bring a voice to the topic and I would love for you to join me in that, {but also recognize that you may need to practice some self-care this week and silence social media and we 100% support that also}. If you would like ideas of how you can participate, please visit https://www.infertilityawareness.org/niaw-challenge
If you are in the midst of an infertility struggle {regardless of what that looks like for you} I want you to know I see you, I want to walk with you and I will use my voice to speak up for you. I know the mental toll that infertility can take on someone, and I want to do what I can to lessen that. If you are walking this alone, I would encourage you to seek out a mental health professional. I specialize in perinatal health and would be honored to walk alongside you, but there are lots of others who would gladly walk with you also, I believe therapy works best when you are with the right person so I encourage you to find that person. You can find a list of trained perinatal mental health providers near you at www.psidirectory.com. If you are looking for an online support group to connect with other people who are walking a similar journey, you can find a list at https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/
