Hey,
My name is Kaeleigh. But I’m also known as my alter ego: Unpregnant Chicken. I run an infertility blog because, well, I’m infertile. But I guess you probably figured that out since, here you are, reading about me on an infertility support website- You’re a smart cookie, I like you! 😉
I wanted to chat at you for a moment about the importance of community when you are going through infertility. Infertility is a complicated term that is used as an umbrella for a variety of conditions that can stop a couple from conceiving a child or carrying that child to term. But all of the diagnosis’ that the term encompasses really serve to do one thing… leave the couple, and the individuals within it, feeling broken. Different from the norm.
When you are infertile you cannot get pregnant easily. At least not as easily as we had been lead to believe and certainly not as easily as that crack addict “Sue” that lives down the way. And this can all be very isolating. What if you are the only person you know that is infertile?! Who do you reach out to?
The truth is that you probably do know other people who are infertile, even if you don’t know it. 1 in 6 couples in Canada have a diagnosis of infertility. Some estimate the true number may be much higher because people don’t always seek medical intervention when they struggle to conceive and might not be willing to admit so openly because they feel different and broken. Maybe a little like how you are feeling, too!
But you don’t have to feel this way! Some truly rad people are infertile, just like me and you. Many go on to have children of their own with the help of science or adoption. And many others wind up choosing to no longer pursue treatment and cultivate happy meaningful lives being childfree. Infertility is NOTHING to be ashamed of. And that is where community comes in!
Finding other people who can relate to you and to the ups and downs that infertility causes can seem heaven sent. “But Kaeleigh,” I hear you say, “I don’t know anyone else”! Not true. You don’t know anyone else, yet! There is a whole world of online support out there in the infertility community. People that understand what you are going through and blog about it, like me. Groups of people who meet in person to discuss infertility and how to cope, there might be a few in your area run by IAAC. Groups who advocate for reproductive rights, who you can volunteer for if you want to get involved. There are so many options for you to pull from!! If only you knew where to look…
This website is here for just that purpose! To help you find your people. To help you get matched up with resources that can help you through this journey. It’s a tough slog. You do not need to go it alone. And this site is CANADIAN!! That is important so that you know the information you are receiving isn’t intended for people using the UK’s health care system, or scary medical prices that might be mentioned aren’t really for those using the US healthcare system. And, as I said before, it means you are much more likely to find in real life help that is in your area.
Being a patient dealing with infertility means having to advocate for yourself sometimes. Stand up for yourselves and what you want when seeking treatment. But you do not need to do it without support. That would be unnecessary. Here’s hoping you’ve now found your people and are on the way to a healthier, happier journey to parenthood than before! XOXXO, Kaeleigh AKA: Unpregnant Chicken
