I didn’t put infertility in the title of my blog. No, I’m not in denial (although that popular defensive mechanism has settled in me at times). Instead, I want to present the positive aspects of infertility while also acknowledging the not-so-positive, not-so-talked about topics.
So why aren’t we talking about it, ladies? I have had quiet conversations with many women struggling with infertility, both behind closed doors and in close friendships. I had a slightly different experience this weekend. I ran into an old acquaintance at a wedding and during a brief conversation of catching up on the past 18 years, she shared with me that she is having trouble getting pregnant. In a speedy, small talk exchange? I was pleasantly surprised by her open, matter-of-fact approach to sharing this painful subject. I felt instantly comfortable sharing my own experience with infertility. What was missing from this exchange was any trace of shame, embarrassment or non-verbal secret sharing. What a breath of fresh air.
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Published by Jana M. Rupnow, LPC
About the Author
Jana M. Rupnow, MA, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and consultant specializing in fertility and family building. Jana has helped hundreds of people facing the challenges of infertility as well as those preparing for third-party family building and adoption.
Jana works independently in private practice in Dallas, Texas. She has built relationships with fertility doctors across the country to help their patients with the psychological challenges of donation conception prior to medical intervention. She works with couples, parents, donors, agencies, and endocrinologists across the nation in her Dallas offices and via Skype or FaceTime. Jana also helps parents learn to communicate with their children about donor conception and serves as a liaison for communication between donor-conceived or adoptive families and genetic or birth parents.
She is a speaker and a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s Mental Health Group and a professional member of the National Infertility Association, Resolve. Jana has a clinical background in physiology and has published articles through Baylor University Medical Center.
Jana is also an adoptee and adoptive mom. She and her husband, Scott, live in Dallas with their son, Caden, and daughter, Jade, and two goldendoodles, Oliver and Chloe.
For consultation, counseling, training for professionals, or a speaking engagement, email Jana@JanaRupnow.com or learn more on JanaRupnow.com. Follow Jana Rupnow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @janarupnowlpc.
View all posts by Jana M. Rupnow, LPC
Hi, Jana!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge to support people struggling with something so meaningful and close to the heart.
Your spirit of kindness and honesty are, also, a breath of fresh air!
I’m looking forward to more of your wisdom and I’ll be sending people to your blog as well…Brava!
Heather Carlile