Guest blog by Eun Rockwell, a blogger and academic writer.
When someone you know is on a fertility journey, it can feel like a roller coaster ride. One minute they’re up, and the next, they’re down. There are so many emotions that come with this process – fear, joy, sadness, hope, and disappointment.
It’s hard to know what to say or do to support your friend during this time. You want to be there for them, but you don’t want to invade their privacy or make them feel uncomfortable. So how can you walk the line between being supportive and helpful without crossing over into territory that makes your friend uneasy?
Below are 8 ways to support a friend TTC – whether they’re just preparing for IVF or they’ve been through years of treatment already.
8 Ways To Support A Friend TTC
1. Listen to them
Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. Your friend may just need someone to listen to them vent about their appointments, struggles, and fears.
They may not want advice; they may just need to get everything off their chest. So be a good listener and let them talk.
It can be helpful to encourage them and let them know you are there for them. Sometimes, just knowing that someone is willing to listen can make all the difference.
2. Ask how you can help
If your friend is going through fertility treatments, there are likely to be a lot of appointments and tests. Offer to accompany them to appointments or help them out with childcare if they have young children.
You can also help by simply being there for them – listening when they need to talk, and offering a shoulder to cry on. If you’re unsure what to say, simply tell them that you’re there for them and want to help in any way you can. Fertility treatments can be a long and difficult road, but with the support of friends and loved ones, it can be a little bit easier.
3. Bring them meals
Treatments can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. If your friend is going through fertility treatments, bring them meals or offer to help out with cooking and cleaning.
This will give them one less thing to worry about and allow them to focus on their treatment. You can also offer to run errands or pick up prescriptions. Just take some of the load off their shoulders so they can focus on getting better.
4. Help with the finances
Fertility treatment can be an emotionally and financially draining experience. If you’re able, offer to help with the costs of treatment.
This is particularly important because fertility treatment is expensive, and the costs can quickly add up. You can help set up a fundraiser to help your friend cover the expenses.
5. Do some research
If your friend is newly diagnosed with a fertility issue, offer to do some research with them. This can be a confusing and overwhelming time, and it helps to have someone to lean on.
Look up information on the internet together, read books on the subject, or talk to other people who have been through fertility treatments. The more you know about what your friend is going through, the better equipped you’ll be to support them.
6. Send them positive messages
During tough times, it’s important to stay positive and focus on the good. Send your friend positive messages and reminders that they are strong and can get through this.
You can also send them articles, quotes, or other pieces of inspiration that you think will help them. Just a little bit of positivity can go a long way.
7. Be patient with them
Fertility issues can be sensitive, and your friend may not always want to discuss them. They may have good days and bad days, and it’s important to be patient with them.
Allow them to open up on their own terms and avoid pushing them to talk about things they’re not ready to discuss. Just be there for them when they’re ready to speak.
8. Respect their privacy
While it’s important to be there for your friend, it’s also important to respect their privacy. Don’t press them if they don’t want to talk about their fertility issues.
Allow them to share as much or as little as they’re comfortable with. It’s also important not to share their information with others without their permission. Just because you know it doesn’t mean that everyone else does.
Closing Thoughts
We get it; talking about fertility issues can be tough. But just know that you have the power to make a difference in your friend’s life just by being there for them. So, be supportive, patient, and respectful.
Eun Rockwell is a blogger and academic writer who works with Superiorpapers. She likes trying new subjects and is always focused on proving her worth as a writer in new and challenging writing areas. Eun is loving mother of her daughter Sophia.
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