*Let me preface this by letting you know this is not an M-day post. I have nothing to add to what everyone else has already said. It sucks to be ignored on a day we so desperately want to be a part of. So carry on reading!
To many, infertility is a taboo subject. It deals with strong opinions (on all sides of the matter, and related topics), fragile feelings, and sexuality so I can understand the hesitation to discuss it openly. In that same line though, there are so many other issues that are very personal and people have no problem discussing, or inquiring about (even if it’s not their business) such as; sexual orientation, marriage (or relationships), money, ect. Over time it seems that awareness is being brought to all sorts of topics that were previously discussed in hushed tones, with disdain, sympathy, or shame and I can only hope that infertility will soon be brought out of the shadows.
I, for one, am in no way embarrassed about our infertility, but I still do not disclose it. The pain, the lack of understanding, and the private nature of it all is more than I am willing to reveal while I am still living it. There are those that do communicate, to gain support, and build a network around themselves. This is not my way, but kudos to those who are brave enough to share your journey openly, and unabashedly. I know at times it must be hard, and you may wish you never said anything at all. But once that Pandora’s Box has been opened it is impossible to return its contents.
We are here, we walk among the general public, 1 in 8. Look around, and chances are you do know someone other than yourself who has been touched by infertility. We are here, but we are not seen. I have noticed more discussion of infertility in the media, whether it be celebrity pregnancies, or tv dramas, but it still feels restricted and unrealistic. It’s as though Hollywood cannot paint a real picture of infertility. They may start out on the right track showing the pain, and the heartbreak it can bring but in the end they always ruin the progress by ending with a surprise pregnancy or a breezy journey through IF treatment.
Sex and the City started out doing well, showing Charlotte struggle trying to get pregnant, natural and then with fertility drugs. How it destroyed her marriage, and put her friendship with Miranda on the rocks when Miranda became “accidentally” pregnant. I watched Sex and the City well before I had had any IF struggles of my own, so I didn’t pay much attention to the storyline than I normally would have. But after the show ended, and Charlotte had adopted a little girl from China with her new husband, they had to make a movie, wherein Charlotte (now 40-something) accidentally gets pregnant. Almost, S&TC, almost.
I find infertility is mentioned vaguely in lots of tv shows, books, and movies but never is there a true and real representation with an outcome befitting of real life. I am glad it is being talked about at all, but if the majority of people are getting their information about infertility from the entertainment industry then we’re doomed.
Obviously I notice infertility related subject matter a lot more now, as it relates to me. And I have to say I am pleased that there is more of it than I would have first thought. But that’s just it, when it wasn’t a priority to me I never even noticed it out in the world. I had been vaguely exposed to recurrent pregnancy loss, and surrogacy in my own family, and of course had that friend of a friend who had done IVF. If it doesn’t directly affect an individual, then it just doesn’t register. This is another reason why I have a hard time putting my IF out there, who is going to care? I know that’s a pessimistic point of view, and is not entirely true but it’s how I feel right now.
It doesn’t stop me from doing what I can to share information, and lend my voice where I can, because if I thought it was absolutely futile, I wouldn’t bother at all. But it is hard to put myself out there, and unfortunately a bit of a difficult concept for someone else to understand if they’ve never experienced such a unique loss of self, and mourning for something that maybe never was, or lasted only fleetingly.
So here we are, millions of us walking the same path. The rest of the world around us, unaware of our struggles and us wondering who can see through the facade.
Infertile Girl in a Fertile World 
Couldn’t have said it better myself. It is exactly these reasons that we don’t share our infertility with our friends. We only shared it with our families because we were at the end of the road for having biological children.
Thank you, and I’m sorry your situation forced your hand but in reading your blog it sounds like your family has been very supportive. Wishing you strength with this new part of your journey.
My good friend dealt with infertility 20 years ago, and was so upset at the SATC movie, that she wrote an angry letter to the creator. He actually responded back!
Wow that’s awesome! I hope he apologized…
He did, but he excused the story by saying movies were for escapism.
Bah, typical.
I hear ya. Sometimes I think “who cares that im posting this?” When I put something to increase awareness on my blog or fb page. But ibid know the stolen one in eights appreciate knowing rhey arent alone and some of them might break their silence or feel less alone knowing that they arent. I am with u though, I couldnt talk about it while we went through the process of trying. It was too draining.
Yeah, I have to think that I am making a little bit of a difference, even if it’s only within the IF community (for now).
You ARE.
I felt that Charolotte’s infertility was a SATC storyline that didn’t get enough acclaim. Although, looking back it seems like everyone know her marriage to Trey was a sham and infertility was a way to write their ending. Yet, her reaction to Miranda’s pregnancy, hosting the baby shower and dealing with the baby’s birthday party were all so touching and so real. They even showed the pitfalls of adoption with the couple who just wanted a trip to New York. That is really cool that the producer did get back to your friend, although I would define ‘escapism’ as “it’s really hard to make a 30 minute sitcom into a two hour movie and needed stuff to write about…”
I didn’t watch the season, but I started tuning into the final episodes of Rules of Engagement as I learned that the main characters were infertile and were expecting through a surrogate. On the show’s finale, the baby was born and as they were holding their daughter, Audrey announced that she’s pregnant. Patrick Warburton’s character just says “I thought that was a no-go” “It’s a go!” she replies. It was as if the actors and writers thought the idea was so hokey no one could fully committ to it. I guess when you’re series is ending is when you magically become fertile..
Yes, too true, even though the producers did such a good job with Charlotte’s storyline (for the most part) it always took a backseat to whatever Carrie’s storyline was at the time. Which I suppose makes sense seeing as Carrie was the main character, but still annoying. The episode where Charlotte goes all Liz Taylor to go to the birthday party is one of my favorites.
I never did watch Rules of Engagement but I remember people in the IF community being pissed off about the ending. I suppose it’s show biz, so us real life IF-ers just have to shut up and put up.
I really want to be open about our struggles as well, but I do feel like it makes people uncomfortable so i try not to talk about it unless someone directly asks. And because they get all their information from TV and movies, they start spitting out stupid stereotypes. I would say that probably 95% of people, including friends and family, have said “well now you’ll probably get pregnant!” when we’ve told them we’re adopting. It makes you look like a real asshole when you have to set them straight, especially since they meant it as a hopeful comment, trying to be nice.
Yeah that’s the thing, I don’t necessarily want to make people uncomfortable (though some deserve it for asinine comments). I also don’t have the patience to stay calm and explain things rationally to someone when they say something stupid. I am seriously considering sending an email or private Facebook message to the people I want to know just because then I can take the time to formulate my words without getting interrupted or over emotional.