{"id":75091,"date":"2017-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fertilitysmarts.com\/2017\/09\/20\/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-fertility-forums"},"modified":"2017-09-20T13:05:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T17:45:36","slug":"the-pros-and-cons-of-online-fertility-forums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fertilitysmarts.com\/the-pros-and-cons-of-online-fertility-forums\/2\/1528","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Online Fertility Forums"},"content":{"rendered":"
Infertility can be downright lonely. You might feel like no one understands you and it is easy to feel lost in the overwhelming amount of information that is out there online. This is where online support groups might enter your world. Like any other support group, they are likely to have their strengths and weaknesses. While there is no “one size fits all” approach to support that will work for everyone, if you can navigate the drawbacks and source out your tribe, it just might make all of the difference in your experience. As someone who has been there and done that, here are some of the pros and cons of joining an online infertility support group.<\/p>\n
Being online, support forums are available whenever you are. No need to rearrange your schedule for an in-person group. And when you are up at night worrying about your fertility treatment the next morning, there is always someone available to reach out to for encouragement with just a few taps.<\/p>\n
An online infertility forum is an excellent place to start navigating the challenges that come with struggling to have a baby. You just first have to get used to the lingo. If I told you I just got a BFN<\/a> after 15DPO<\/a> and now I need to wait for AF\u2014Would you know what I mean? It can be frustrating at first, but the good news is, that the Internet is full of handy abbreviation lists to get you started. <\/p>\n Human beings have this natural tendency to belong. We want to fit in and when you\u2019re experiencing infertility, it can seem like everyone around you is getting pregnant at the drop of a hat. No one around seems to understand. An infertility forum is a place where so many women (and men!) can go to become part of a group with one shared goal: to have a child.<\/p>\n Read: <\/strong>8 Ways to Deal with Fertile Myrtle Jealousy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You would think we would all be in this together being that we\u2019re a community based on supporting each other, but there are still those who cause issues. There are still mean people that say hurtful things, even when they are struggling to get pregnant. Luckily, in my experience, this hasn\u2019t happened often, and if you do find yourself in a toxic group there are plenty of other groups to try. <\/p>\n For some still in the infertility closet or early in their journey, an online fertility forum is a place where they can open up. Maybe you\u2019ve just experienced your 54th negative pregnancy test<\/a> and just need someone to commiserate with. Maybe you are heading into your first in vitro fertilization (IVF)<\/a> cycle, and want to connect with others who are doing the same. There is a little something for everyone and many sites have boards for people in all stages of their journey, from just starting out, to forums for donor eggs<\/a> and adoption. <\/p>\n For many, just obtaining information on an unknown treatment plan or next step is a huge stress reliever. Just being informed of something can put our minds at ease. However, it\u2019s easy to panic when a woman from your group has a miscarriage after her IVF cycle, right before yours is scheduled. It doesn\u2019t mean you will too. But it\u2019s easy to focus on the bad stories you hear, instead of all the good things that can come from a fertility treatment. Please remember, their story is not yours.<\/p>\n Fertility clinics have a bad habit of just not telling you much along the way. For so many of us, we are left to our own devices about natural supplements or treatments, or even what our next steps should be. Or maybe you are wondering if pineapple core really worked for some people after an embryo transfer. No matter what your question, there is probably someone out there with an answer. And as you experience more in infertility, you may find yourself a valuable resource to others.<\/p>\nPro: Belonging to a Community<\/h2>\n
Con: But Support Groups Are Not Immune To Drama<\/h2>\n
Pro: Support From People Who\u2019ve Been There<\/h2>\n
Con: But You See Worst Case Scenarios<\/h2>\n
Pro: You Can Get Questions Answered<\/h2>\n