The hidden pain of the fertility trenches

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples in the UK and is often a little discussed issue. For many it is a silent battle that lasts for years and years, sometimes with no positive resolution. Fertility treatment is both emotionally exhausting and very expensive, it often being a postcode lottery on whether you are entitled to any funding, especially if you are a same sex couple.

We have been trying for a family since 2020, this has meant 5 years of medication, needles, appointments, scans, tens of thousands of pounds and so much unimaginable heartache. We’ve been grieving a life we thought we would have and craving a future we are not sure we’ll ever get. A real challenge has been being repeatedly told you don’t have any fertility issues, just one of the unlucky ones and as my GP insensitively told us ‘I was the perfect candidate for getting pregnant’.

Another sad part of not being able to have a family is the hard choice we’ve made to step back from friends with young families, avoiding social media, social events and dodging clumsy questions about our lack of children. Trying to manage sadness and jealousy at unexpected pregnancy announcements at work or from friends has been tough.

To try and help our hearts heal and help others Kaylee will be running at several events this year to raise money for The Fertility Network charity. It offers education and support to those in the infertility trenches. Although not taking part in the events, I will be supporting and no doubt be joining Kaylee on her training runs.

We would be so grateful if you are able to sponsor Kaylee by giving whatever you can for this incredibly important charity. Please check out The Fertility Network’s website for information and ways to support those going through infertility.

Thank you

Love Kaylee and Sophie