Happy Independence Day
It’s another long holiday weekend of celebration and family gatherings. It’s the 4th of July again, which is hot on the heels of Father’s Day. For most people, this a great opportunity to see your loved ones and spend quality time together. However, for couples who are struggling to conceive, this once pleasurable date is now an endurance test!
It is so hard to see the extended family who may not be aware of your infertility journey. Being unaware of your situation also means they tease you in a good-natured way about when you are going to start a family. Some couples don’t even confide in their folks, which can make the celebrations fraught with tension.
Here at Panama Fertility, we have over 30 years-experience in treating couples who are trying to conceive. We have a psychologist on our team to help couples handle the negativity surrounding infertility. So, in today’s blog, we just want to share five tips to help you get through the festivities and hopefully enjoy them!
Speak to your partner
If you are feeling anxious about seeing the family, then voice those concerns. Share your emotions, this especially applies to the guys, who are not known for opening up on this sensitive subject. A problem aired is a problem shared. Your partner may be unaware that you feel worried about a family gathering or your partner could be feeling exactly the same way as you.
Prepare yourself for a pregnancy announcement
Yes, this one is a real killer. Often family gatherings is when the expectant couple want to share their fantastic news. It is so hard to hear when you have been trying to conceive for so long, but forewarned is forearmed. So, just take a little time to think about how you will react to this news and practice your winning smile. It is difficult, as deep down you are overjoyed but just can’t help feeling that twang of jealousy. It is totally normal to feel like this.
Confide in another family member
You don’t really want to have a full emotional breakdown at the family gathering when the oblivious aunt or uncle badgers you about not getting any younger! Therefore, it can make life a lot easier to choose a family member as your confidante.
Discuss this option with your partner and see how they feel about someone else in the family being a part of your fertility journey. You may even consider asking them to speak to the other members of the family about your situation. You can make it clear; you don’t want a public debate over dinner. You can also say we don’t want to talk about it. But taking this route just means you avoid the awkward questions and might actually relax and enjoy your day.
Don’t let the pandemic stop you from having treatment
Depending on where you are in the US, you may have experienced full lockdowns and family gatherings have been limited over the last 16 months. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for couples who need fertility treatment. We know that a lot of couples have delayed having treatment.
We have been fully open since May 2020 and encourage you to reach out to us sooner rather than later for treatment. We take Covid-19 security very seriously in our clinic. As the vaccination program is rolled out, more and more couples are taking the short flight from the US to our clinic in Panama.
One thing we have learnt during the pandemic is that as a human race, we like to pack. Humans survive on contact with others both for mental stimulation and physical contact. It has taught us that family is everything. The next generation is everything.
As someone who is struggling to conceive, you knew this before the pandemic made us re-evaluate our lives! Infertility can be a long road, but stamina keeps you going on that road. Stamina to go the course comes from hope. Hope that next year you will either be making that pregnancy announcement for Independence Day or even better still, you will be taking your baby along to that family gathering.
No matter where you are on your journey, please reach out to us with your questions. Our medical team are here and willing to support you both physically and mentally.
Happy Independence Day from all of us at Panama Fertility!
