Thanksgiving and celebrating each other.
At Overlake Reproductive Health, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. Not only do we get to focus on food, but it’s a time to reflect on those we care about including our patients. We feel honored to have helped build so many families over our 30 plus years. And truly thankful that we love what we do, love working together (some of us for almost 30 years), and that our patients continue to put their trust in us. We appreciate the magnitude of their choice and we are thrilled to be here always improving upon what we do best – which is helping people grow families.
For those in the throes of infertility, the holidays can be dreadful. We understand it can be difficult to land on gratitude when you’re realizing you may need fertility help and the cost is looming or, after a treatment failed. And harder still to see nieces and nephews, new babies, or just those nosy relatives (like in-laws) who ask inappropriate questions.
Quick tips for surviving Thanksgiving:
If you’re not yet pregnant, you get to drink. So imbibe the good stuff and let someone else do the driving. You deserve a cocktail and some deep red wine with legs. Just don’t overdo it because nothing is worse than relatives while you’re hungover.
Try to find the positives in what you’re going through and if all else fails resort to humor. Many patients uncover health issues while battling infertility. Some make life-long friends in the waiting room. Some embark on a career that’s different then the path they were on. Some write books. If life is in the struggle, then you are truly living.
Know that this struggle is temporary. One way or another, you will find a way to get through it. So even though you feel like you are clawing your way out of a box life put you in, pause to be kind to those around you including yourself.
We give you permission to ask anyone being too obnoxious about you not having children yet for money. Or, ask for tips on how to make a baby. In some families, asking for advice on fertility can be a riotous good time. Aunt Harriet’s upside down and twist postcoital position. Grandpa’s oyster stuffing with a wink and a shove. It might take over the entire holiday. In fact, sharing your struggle might lighten your burden and asking for help with a little bit of humor might make an otherwise run-of-the-mill holiday more exciting.
Adore your partner. If you are lucky enough to have a partner through this journey, then throw some love and adoration their way. Sure, they might not be coping with everything as perfectly as you might like. But chances are, they are suffering too. Gratitude in the bedroom can be its own reward. And if all else fails, just bang on the walls and make lots of noise to quiet those pesky relatives. Then do a ‘figures crossed’ sign in the morning. Why not let them believe it was their advice that did the trick?
Above all else, find gratitude, really. If you’re alive this year, you’ve lived through a pandemic and so did everyone at your table. And that’s a miracle. Being thankful for what you have is a foolproof way out of depression. Giving back is another. Help those in need. Shine a light on the blessings you have and keep fighting to make your family dreams come true. We truly believe they will.
Happy Holidays from ORH.
