For the past 34 weeks, I’ve been privileged to interview men and women who have been through infertility and survived. I’ve learned so much from their experiences, and I thought I’d share my favorite quotes on surviving infertility in today’s post. Click on the name after each quote to read the entire interview.
“You’re not alone. Speak out. We need to be loud to be recognized.” –Angela
“Keep the end in mind… Continue to have hope. God calls us to lay our troubles at His feet and trust that He can handle it. And He can!” –Ashley
“Don’t listen to people who tell you how you’re supposed to feel – the only one who gets to decide that is you.” –Becky
“If a door closes in your face, kick down another one. With a little humor and hope in your heart, the path the parenthood may not be how you envisioned it but you will have the family you are destined for.” –Candace
“Trust [God’s] word. Have faith even when it doesn’t seem easy. While you wait, enjoy the time you have now, with your husband and with the Lord. Share your story with others. Ask for prayer. Attend healing services if you can. Share your testimony.” –Caroline
“Going through years-long infertility struggles is not for the faint of heart. It can either make or break your marital relationship. Make the determined commitment that no matter what happens, you and your husband were…and are a couple first.” –Cheryl
“You should NEVER be made to feel bad about your desire to have your genetic children!!! You may not want to adopt. Adoption is not for everyone, and that is OKAY!!! It is okay to not want to adopt. It’s okay to want your genetic children. Adoption is not for everyone, and there is nothing at all wrong with that.” –Dana
“You NEED to find ways to nurture yourself through this…whatever you need to do to nurture yourself through this time, DO IT.” –Emily
“If you ultimately decide to take the adoption path, recognize that adopting is not a band aid for infertility. Many people outside of the process will think that when you become a parent, you should be fixed, but that is way too much to ask of a child. They aren’t there to fix us, we have to fix ourselves.” –Geochick
“Coping with infertility is a process and if you rush to move forward before you are ready it may set you backwards in the long run. Allow yourself to process everything you are feeling.” –Greg
“For guys: As difficult as it may be, let rip with your emotions. Don’t bottle them up because it will not end well.” –Jay
“Whether or not you are at the beginning, going through it, or recovering after infertility treatments, trust that owning your story is the way through it and back to you.” –Justine
“We rob ourselves – and those around us – if we let our infertility struggles define us and dictate our lives. As huge as this is, chances are that there are still a lot of other things in our lives that are good and going right – and we should fully embrace those as well.” –Katie
“Just go with it and take it day-by-day. Try not to think about tomorrow. (Dreaming is okay, though).” –Katie
“Above all else, guard your heart (from wrong thinking and jealous thoughts), seek and trust [God], and keep pursuing faith in this area!!” –Kaitlyn
“…Talk to your spouse! Even if infertility is as a result of one person’s medical need you are going through this together.” –Kari
“Keep the faith and the hope alive. The faith is what helps fuel my hope that we will become parents.” –Kasey
“Make sure you feel a good fit with your doctor. It is a professional relationship, not a friendship or dating relationship. Don’t be afraid to “break up” with your doctor if something doesn’t feel right. Getting a second opinion isn’t a commitment, just self-education.” –Kim
“We continued to pray, and I tried to stay positive, telling my husband that everything happens for a reason, and it will happen in God’s time.” –Laura
“…Don’t isolate yourself. There is a community of people just like you, and they are waiting with non-judgemental open arms. Locate a Resolve support group or begin a blog and join the community online.” –Lauren
“Adoption will test your faith and your relationships. It will bend you and stretch you more than you know. And it will make you a better mamma because of it.”- Marcy
“…It is in our darkest moments, our driest deserts, the most painful and difficult parts of our journey, the places that God seems most absent, that He is doing His most intimate work in our hearts and souls.” –Marlo
“The internet has given me a bit of sanity during this trying time. I found so many women going through similar situations, trying to make sense of it all through their blogs. I didn’t feel so alone.” –Mary
“We tie so much of our sexuality in our ability to procreate, and the partner with the infertility factor is NEVER to blame, so support your spouse.” –Melanie
“If you don’t feel like you’re getting the answers and support you need, be your own advocate and don’t stop asking questions and seeing doctors until someone listens and tries to help you.” –Melissa
“Try to continue to do the things you used to do and remember the things that brought you joy before you started TTC.” –Renee
“…Create a support system with people who are willing to listen to you. It doesn’t have to be someone else going through infertility, but it needs to be someone who will listen without condemnation.” –Salina
“Do your research and be open to all options.” –Sara & Ryan
“Infertility was a curse at first. But now, it has become a gift. I think that statement goes to show that infertility has changed me in many ways, many good ways.” –Teresa
“Let your actions and your words define you, not a condition.” –Tom
“YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE. Stand up for yourself, for your body, for your health, and for your reproductive future.” –Tracy
“Infertility does NOT define me.” –Violet
“Seek out support if you haven’t already. Find a Facebook group or see if your city has a RESOLVE support group.” – Whitney
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