Not
everyone celebrates the arrival of Mother’s Day. While most
infertile couples will recognize their own mothers, Sunday, May 9
represents a holiday that they’d like to temporarily strike from the
calendar.
This year, why not shift the focus from mothering babies, to babying
yourself? Find an activity that you seldom make time for, but
thoroughly enjoy at venues where you won’t likely encounter throngs
of children and their mothers: art exhibits, coffee houses and stage
theaters, for example. You’ll even find discounted tickets for those
Sunday matinees. Try booking a spa service, room at a B&B (which
usually discourage children) or challenge yourselves as a couple
with a long run along Lake Travis, or learning an extreme sport like
rock climbing, street luge or kayaking.
Even if you attend religious services every Sunday, give yourself
permission to sleep in this particular weekend and avoid the
commemorative portion of the sermon. It can be painful to remain
seated while every other woman over 20 stands for applause and
recognition, so consider spending some time reading, in prayer or
quiet meditation at home instead.
The special women in your life will understand if you move the
traditional brunch to a different weekend in May, when restaurants
aren’t teeming with little ones. Now is also a good time to talk
with your close friends and family about your difficult journey to
parenthood; explain that Mother’s Day adds to your stress level by
emphasizing a dream yet unfulfilled for you and your spouse.
Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. In any given year
in the U.S., there are around 4 million new mothers, yet 7.3 million
women experience infertility**. Seek out supportive friends and
support groups that empower you to survive Mother’s Day with the
hope that next year will be different. In fact, 80-88% of women who
partner with a fertility specialist do become pregnant. That’s Texas
Fertility Center’s Mother’s Day gift to you.
