Struggling with BlackIVF: Seeking Support and Advice

At first, my friends were supportive, but now most of them seem to have disappeared, probably due to the holidays. My husband’s family is aware of the situation and curious about the process, as there are no issues on their end (they are Latino). I haven’t told my family because they would overreact - my family is a bit chaotic. My work doesn’t seem to care. There aren’t many people in my neighborhood or at my clinic, so I’m just sitting here on online forums, commiserating. :joy:

I am African American and undergoing IVF treatment, my parents are aware and very supportive even though they may not fully grasp the process. Living in a predominantly black community, I have found a great support network among my providers and fellow patients. The nurses and care team have been incredibly kind and I have connected with many inspiring individuals during this journey.

I am currently 10 weeks pregnant with my IVF baby, who is Black. My family has been supportive, especially since I am 40 years old and they are excited for me, but they don’t fully understand the science behind it. My husband’s family is also excited, and his cousin who went through IVF has been a great help. I got married later in life after being single in my 30s. My close friends, who are all Black women aged 38-50 and single with no kids, are intrigued by the process and some are considering becoming single mothers by choice. I am fortunate that my work covered most of the costs, but we still had to pay $15k out of pocket. Through this process, I learned more about my body, including issues like fallopian tube problems, polyps, immune issues, and progesterone deficiencies. I feel more knowledgeable about my health now and am grateful for that. I would love to start a group chat with others going through similar experiences. If anyone is in Florida or Miami, let me know - we can meet up for mocktails! :sparkling_heart::sparkling_heart:

I have not informed my family about this yet because it is a complicated situation and not guaranteed. I do not have the capacity to constantly explain every detail to my mother on every phone call. I am hesitant to tell them because I know my mother would assume I will definitely get pregnant and say inappropriate things. This is my final attempt before considering adoption, so I prefer to wait until then before sharing the news.

I am unsure if my race plays a role, but I am a black individual undergoing IVF. My parents and siblings are aware and supportive, but I have not shared this information with my colleagues except for one client who reacted poorly at first but was more understanding once I explained the circumstances. My close friend who has undergone IVF for two children is also supportive.

In my experience, there is a strong sense of connection that transcends race among those who have gone through this journey. My family and friends were accepting, even if they didn’t fully understand it. At work, sharing with coworkers often reveals that they are also on a similar path or know someone who is.

I have received a lot of support from my friends and family. Many of my female relatives have suffered from fibroids, endometriosis, and PCOS, so they were relieved to finally understand the reasons behind the challenges in conceiving. There have been many discussions about this topic, along with concerns about the costs involved, based on experiences within my family.

My immediate family provided me with wonderful support during my previous struggles. We have a 16-month-old and are now beginning another round of IVF.

I initially struggled to grasp the concept of IVF and its necessity, but my stepmom took the time to thoroughly research and explain the procedure, guided me through each step.

I haven’t shared with many people because I prefer to keep my personal life private. My manager is unaware, but a few friends, coworkers on a similar journey, my parents, and my husband know. I’ll be keeping details about my second round to myself to maintain some element of surprise. My in-laws are still in the dark. Would anyone like to start a group chat? :joy:

I heard my Asian immigrant mom discussing with my Caucasian MIL at Thanksgiving and it’s clear she doesn’t understand some things. I’m trying to find a balance between keeping her informed and protecting myself from some of her ignorant comments. Just know that I can relate to your struggles.

I chose not to include specific details about my family members to spare them from any potential burden of bad news. They were aware of the situation and were very supportive, but I decided to inform them that we would address it at a later time. At work, I had to provide more details and my boss was very understanding and supportive, granting me days off as needed.

I am of Latina descent and my family has mostly been supportive. My aunts have told me to have a lot of intercourse. My husband’s Dominican family has a special drink for me to try, but my husband quickly rejected the idea. I haven’t tried the drink yet but thought it might not be worse than the current situation. Following a baseline and blood test, I had a breakdown in my car. Originally planning to wait until January for IVF treatment, my doctor suggested one more IUI with higher letrozole dosage. I started supplements to improve my lining, but now have doubts about the process. My husband advised against another IUI and to wait for IVF, but I don’t want to admit he was right. So, I am holding on to my decision out of stubbornness.

I am grateful for the support of my boomer, Catholic, and Baptist Jamaican parents, who may not completely understand the process but empathize with my stress and want the best for me. My American in-laws, despite initially being pushy due to not having grandkids, have become more understanding and supportive of our IVF journey. My friends, particularly black women, may not inquire much but I can sense their care and understanding, especially those with their own fertility challenges. Overall, I feel lucky to have these individuals in my life and have chosen to only share our journey with those who we believe will be supportive.

Being Latina, I only shared with my mom, a few close friends, and two aunts. They’re understanding, but I prefer not to tell many others. It’s tiring having to constantly update people due to the unpredictable nature of the situation.