I hope that National Infertility Awareness Week is giving everyone some insight into infertility so that if a friend opens up, you can support them without judgement. Having a tribe and support system throughout infertility is so important. You can swipe right to see a #throwbackthursday of just a few of my girlfriends who were amazing support through my journey. While many of us find support in the wonderful online communities, you can still support us by showing you care. Overly positive doesn’t always resonate with infertility because fertility isn’t something you can impact by positive thought. It’s a medical diagnosis. In fact, my worst egg retrieval happened when I felt the most positive and comfortable with what was going on. The emotions of infertility include grief because infertility causes several feelings of loss. It’s actually a lot like the emotions of a pandemic, where the future is uncertain and scary and the world feels out of your control. Supporting your friend through infertility will probably sound like good support through the the current pandemic. Acknowledge that things aren’t ideal and the situation sucks. Listen to their concerns and worries and know that they are valid feelings. Ask questions to understand unfamiliar factors. If your friend is grieving the loss of something, be it an event, opportunity, or milestone, acknowledge those feelings are valid and it's natural for them to be upset. Help them focus on what they can control, and whatever action gives them peace that they did the best they could in the circumstances. Just like the pandemic, the hard parts of infertility will pass and, with support, we get through it. We won’t be the same person we were before it started, but that’s ok. No important event in life leaves you the same as you were before! #ThisIsMySupport #NIAW2020 #<a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">ivf</a> #ivfjourney #ivfstrongertogether #ivfsupport #ivfsisters #ivfcommunity #ivflife #infertilityawareness #infertility #ttc #ttcsisters #ttcwarrior #ttcjourney #infertilityuncovered