“You’re pregnant.” I waited six years to hear those words. I went through multiple egg retrievals, several rounds of IVF, and suffered through two miscarriages. Throughout that time I had people ask a lot of questions and say a lot of pretty inappropriate things that only made an already devastating journey that much harder.
I had some support, but honestly, most of the time I felt very alone, isolated in my pain. Those around me didn’t know what to do or what to say. It was no one’s fault. Trying to find words or gestures of support for someone in such a vulnerable place is hard.
But with one in six couples experiencing infertility according to the World Health Organization, chances are you know someone who's trying to become a parent. And with gift giving being one of the five universal love languages, it’s a supportive gesture for friends dealing with infertility.
After going through my own journey, I started InCircle Fertility. Now I work with hundreds of families experiencing infertility and can say firsthand that you can’t go wrong with any of the gifts below. These are six meaningful gifts for loved ones struggling with infertility.
One important note: If you want to give a gift but don’t know what to say when you give it, I strongly believe that honesty is the best policy. Something like, “I don’t know the right words or the perfect thing to get you that shows my support, but this felt good, and I thought you might love it too.”
Solimo Epsom Salt Soak
Salt baths are my favorite form of self-care. Going through infertility was stressful and overwhelming. Salt baths helped me to calm down while I was going through treatment. Bath salts are the perfect gift to let someone struggling know you care. Artificial scents can negatively impact fertility treatments, which is why I always suggest going with unscented salts. (Keep in mind there are certain times in your cycle when hot baths are a DO NOT, so keep it warm or check with your doctor.)
InCircle Cards of Affirmation
$34
from
In Circle Fertility
Finding those perfect words to say to yourself or to a loved one going through the difficult time of trying to conceive can feel nearly impossible. During my journey, I looked everywhere for words of encouragement, only to find nothing that encompassed what I needed in the moment. It’s why I created my own deck of affirmation cards – it’s a thoughtful gift for couples facing fertility challenges and something I wish we had going through our journey. Additionally, each card is a work of art; Jamie Kushner Blicher, an artist and fellow infertility warrior, creates each design using sterile IVF needles.
Sympathy and Solace Care Package
$99.99
from
Spoonful of Comfort
We don’t always know the best way to help a loved one who’s coping with loss. We do know someone will always appreciate a loving gesture of support. The Sympathy and Solace Care Package is filled with thoughtful gifts of comfort and a gentle reminder that your loved one is not alone. The bundle includes a snuggly throw (they can wrap themselves in your love), a Healing After Loss book, chamomile tea, raw honey with a wooden dipper, cookies, and a note card with a personal message from you to them.
The Two Week Wait Challenge: A Sassy Girl's Guide to Surviving the TWW
The only thing more emotionally taxing than going through infertility is going through infertility, and waiting those two weeks to find out if you are pregnant or not. This book won’t take away the agony of waiting, but it will give you something else to focus on (at least for a few minutes a day). Filled with essays, cost-effective self-care suggestions, and a little bit of humor (because if we can’t laugh, we will cry), this book can help make a seriously heavy situation feel just a little bit lighter. It’s a good gift to give that friend who appreciates a good smile even during dark times.
Knot Average Macrame Box of Strength
$50
from
Knot Average Macrame
This box, which includes a rainbow scrunchie, cards with personalized messages inside, a fiber rainbow diffuser, and a toxin-free rainbow candle, is more than a gift. It’s a way to support another family dreaming of having a child. Each item in the box is handmade by an artist who is going through her own fertility journey. The money from each purchase goes toward helping cover costs to start a family. This is a beautiful way to show your support for both the person you love and to a stranger.
Custom IVF Embryo Bracelet Peak and Valley Beads
Starting at
$26
from
Etsy/ Peak and Valley Beads
While this may look like just a bracelet to most, it’s a gift that will show your loved one how truly in touch you are with what they are going through. Each accent bead on the bracelet represents one special embryo. It’s a way to acknowledge your loved one's journey while also giving them a symbol of beauty as they embark on the journey.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Mom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
