Stay calm: Gracefully navigating insensitive fertility questions

The seemingly innocent question, “When are you going to have a baby?” may be meant as small talk. But that question can trigger big-time feelings when you’re facing infertility. Our Connecticut fertility care team at Park Avenue Fertility and Reproductive Medicine will support you in talking about infertility.  A little preparation can go a long way when you need to navigate insensitive fertility questions and calm the emotional chaos.

How do I answer insensitive fertility questions?

Dealing with infertility isn’t just a physical undertaking; it’s an emotional experience. For someone to ask, “How long have you been trying?” can feel downright invasive.

Our caring fertility expert, Dr. Andrew Levi, treats patients as people first. He leads our Connecticut fertility team and wants to empower patients when talking about infertility or answering insensitive fertility questions.

• Have a game plan. Talk with your partner and determine what you are comfortable sharing (or not sharing). Respecting one another’s privacy is important. You might choose to talk about your fertility journey or keep it private. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
• Keep your guardrails up. You don’t have to answer every question. It’s possible to be direct without being aggressive. If someone is tiptoeing around a topic that is too personal or painful to talk about, tell them so. You can simply say that your situation is complicated or difficult, and you’re not ready to talk.
• Boundaries matter. Unfortunately, unsolicited advice comes with the territory of fertility treatment. One approach is calmly explaining that you appreciate support, but what you really need is for someone to listen to your situation without the need to fix it. You can add that fertility treatment is complicated and not easily discussed, but you trust in your highly qualified Connecticut fertility care medical team at Park Avenue Fertility.
• Support yourself. Emotional and physical self-care matters mightily, especially when facing unsolicited fertility questions. If you need a break, it’s OK to step away from in-person contact and social media platforms that leave you feeling emotionally drained.

Expect the unexpected when talking about infertility

Insensitive fertility questions can leave you shocked and emotional, and if you’re already feeling stressed, it’s not the easiest time to think on your feet. A little preparation can help make discussing infertility easier, and we are here to help.  Our Connecticut fertility care team will provide you with information and compassionate care. We view ourselves as both partners in your care and supporters of your emotional well-being. Contact us to learn how our personalized care makes a difference.