They say to GO FORWARD and NEVER LOOK BACK, but seeing that 2020 has been a crap shoot, let's look back at the best infertility blogs of 2019.
Jessica Timmons wrote an excellent post on Healthline Parenthoood, listing all the best blogs specifically in regards to infertility. These women come from all walks of life and tried many different avenues to get pregnant, some were successful and others were not. They share their trials, methods, hopes, fears, joys & triumphs. We might all have our own story, a different version of infertility, but let us always remember that we are never alone through this journey.
Jessica states it perfectly, "Infertility can feel like a hopeless sentence for people dreaming of having a baby. But the support and camaraderie of people who are going through the same struggle can offer valuable perspective. In compiling this year’s best infertility blogs, we looked for the ones that are committed to educating, inspiring, and empowering people during their infertility journeys. We hope you find insight, hope, and comfort here."
Here is the list:
A Cup of Jo Joanna Goddard, the founder and namesake of the enormously popular blog A Cup of Jo, writes with grace and warmth about her own infertility journey. It’s just one topic on this varied blog, which also covers style, design, food, travel, relationships, and motherhood.
Trials Bring Joy Chelsea and Josh weathered close to 10 years of infertility treatments before welcoming their twins in May 2017, and Chelsea captured the highs and lows of their journey on her blog. She says the infertility community runs deep in her heart, and this little family’s story is a powerful reminder that some things are worth waiting for. Dreaming of Diapers This tell-all infertility blog is authored by a self-professed “Southern girl” and her husband, who have been trying to conceive for the last five years. In posts that are heartbreakingly honest, she chronicles every step of the journey — from “finding out my potential surrogate could not grow her lining past 5 mm for an entire year” to “recognizing depression, after depression.” Her blog and life can be summed up beautifully in the quote, “The struggle is part of the story.” Stirrup Queens Melissa and her husband have twins who were conceived via fertility treatments, and they’re trying to grow their family. She shares her experience with infertility and conception on her blog, where visitors will find information relating to diagnoses, surrogacy, treatment options, helpful guides, medications, tests and surgeries, and loss. Our Misconception Candace and Chris have been trying to conceive for more than six years, and have an intimate understanding of the isolation and sense of loss that comes with infertility. That’s why they’re sharing their story. In doing so, they hope their experiences may soften the learning curve for others navigating the same road. The couple shares openly, bravely, and with a hint of humor in passages like this one: “Infertility, it turns out, is more like trying to fish in The Sahara. You have all the tackle (snicker snicker) and see everyone else catching fish, but all you get is dry clumps of sand.” Amateur Nester A blog devoted to “Christian encouragement during infertility,” Amateur Nester does a great job of detailing the emotional, physical, and financial aspects of infertility. Lisa and her husband Tom went through multiple rounds of testing and treatment before welcoming their first little girl, and they paid for it all out of pocket. The blog also has content for the newly diagnosed, encouragement to keep people going, information about IVF, and much more. Life Without Baby After five years of writing her way through her infertility journey, Lisa Manterfield stopped skirting her deeper issues and emotions and came to terms with a future that wouldn’t include biological children. She wrote a book and started a blog, which has become a haven for other women trying to make peace with a life that didn’t include physically giving birth. This is a safe and support-filled place for conversation and compassion. Eggsperience As the name implies, this is a resource for all things egg freezing. The information is intended to inspire and educate women about oocyte cryopreservation by serving as a roadmap complete with extensive medical information for navigating the fertility journey all the way to motherhood. The blog shares guides and personal stories about egg freezing to offer a range of perspectives. Waiting for Baby Bird Elisha describes her infertility journey as a bumpy path full of twists, turns, and surprises. Now a mother through adoption, she continues to offer support and resources for other women navigating infertility and miscarriage. Elisha leans heavily on her faith, and her ability to see the bright side in everything is truly inspiring.