My name is Melissa and I am a Social Media Manager at Socialistics.
Each month, we highlight an organization near and dear to our hearts. In April, I would like to bring awareness to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Founded in 1974 by Barbara Eck, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a 501(c)3, national patient advocacy organization. Ms. Eck founded RESOLVE because she saw a need to bring together other women facing infertility and she began the first RESOLVE support group around her kitchen table. Today RESOLVE provides free support groups in more than 200 communities; is the leading patient advocacy voice; and serves as the go-to organization for anyone challenged in their family building.
Today, 1 in 8 couples experience infertility, so chances are you or someone you know is struggling to conceive or stay pregnant. Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status you are, infertility doesn’t discriminate.
After conceiving my first daughter easily, I struggled with secondary infertility. After years of doctors appointments, testing, bloodwork, needles, supplements, being “baby-lapped” (not sure this is real thing, but essentially watching friends and family have not just one but two or more kids in the time I was hoping to have another), and just overall heartache only to be given an “unexplained” diagnosis, I finally became pregnant! What was a very exciting time was frequently met with comments such as, “Wow! That must have been a big accident!” or “Ooops! How did that happen?” – even from complete strangers once they saw the age gap between my kids. Nope. Nope. NOPE. Ha – if they only knew! I didn’t tell many people about my struggle, perhaps out of shame that my body wasn’t doing what it was meant to do, perhaps out of guilt for feeling selfish that I was already blessed with one amazing daughter while others were struggling to have their first child. Infertility is definitely a very painful struggle for the entire family unit. (Learn more infertility etiquette here.)
Please join us in supporting RESOLVE and National Infertility Awareness Week, April 18-24, 2021. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families. Learn how you can provide support and get involved here: https://resolve.org/get-involved/
