Tired of the Secret?

_FERTILITY SUPPORT WORKSHOP BY BINA BENISCH, M.S., R.N.__PROCESSING THE PAIN, OPENING UP, AND SHARING YOUR FERTILITY STRUGGLE._ This workshop—timed  just before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, helps to explore ways in which opening up to others can help alleviate these negative feelings and benefit from emotional support.  The fact that people do not talk about their infertility makes it that much more painful.  How much of our story should we reveal?  And to whom?  WE WILL LOOK AT: * The pros and cons of opening up about our struggle. * Constructive approaches to opening up. * How to deal with inappropriate comments or advice. * How to communicate your needs in a way that will_ reduce_ your stress and anxiety.  QUOTES FROM WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH FERTILITY IN SILENCE/SECRET: _ "_ Often times I feel so alone in this experience of struggling to conceive."   " I feel like my family and friends can sense that I'm in a bad mood. It happens more and more frequently.     They don't know what I've been going through.   "I'm afraid of the questions, and I guess, I'm afraid of beinglabeled "infertile" and I'll be seen as difference, or that maybe they'll think I must have done something to deserve this"   "Everyone thinks they have an answer or offer their advice.  Do they think I haven't tried these things? People have no idea and if I try to describce the fertility problem or treatment, I don't feel like answering a lot of questions." Have you ever felt any of the above? A diagnosis of infertility is often difficult to share--even with those closest to us--as we fear the responsess we may receive. Women may experience feelings of isolation, inadequancy, fear , deep sadness, and anger.