If you are told that you need help to have a baby, it can cause a wave of different emotions. You may feel upset, angry and distressed, worried about your chances of your infertility treatment working, whether you need IVF, ICSI, IUI or the help of donor eggs or donor sperm.
But would you say you felt embarrassed by your diagnosis? A new survey of 500 women aged 35 to 45 – all of whom didn’t have children - reveals that 60 per cent felt stigmatised for not yet having a family, and crucially that those who had fertility issues felt embarrassed about discussing their fertility problems, especially with family and friends.
It’s important to realise that this is a common reaction. For some, their infertility journey and treatment is intensely private. For others, they want to share their journey and seek help and reassurance from different sources: family, friends and internet forums. There is always someone who may have been through something similar, to give you the hope that you’re looking for and the reassurance that everything will actually be ok.
This is why the support of our team is so crucial to our patients. Many don’t feel comfortable talking to family and friends. They only want to be able to tell them they are having a baby – not to dwell on what can be the difficult journey they’ve been through to get to that point.
Our counsellors are a vital part of the Manchester Fertility support network. They have many years experience in helping couples through infertility treatment, and are an impartial listening ear to advise and support. Our nursing team also provides a friendly shoulder to lean on anytime, having provided comfort and reassurance to those who need it.
Being embarrassed about needing infertility treatment is a natural feeling – but you will never be facing it alone if you don’t feel you can turn to family or friends for support. That’s why we are here, and why so many couples come back to us and recommend us to their friends if they too find they need help.
Please come and see us for yourself, you’re always welcome and we would be delighted to show you around our clinic. Book a free appointment today with our Patient Advisors on 0161 300 2737.
Last updated: 20th January 2020
