Trying to conceive? How to answer awkward questions at Christmas

Sure it's a pretty wonderful time of year, but weathering the Yuletide season can be a challenge for a lot of people.

Indeed, for couples or individuals trying to conceive, the pressure of fielding family questions about pregnancy and children can be particularly difficult, according to natural fertility coach Helena Tubridy.

"At a time when little kids are centre stage in so many families, and the gift of a baby is all that’s longed for, it does magnify the hurt of not being able to get pregnant," Helena explains.

A qualified midwife and gynae nurse, Ms Tubridy is trained in psychotherapy too; she is known by grateful clients as the "pregnancy whisperer".

And for the one-in-six couples in Ireland who face fertility issues when trying to conceive, she has this advice on the potential stress triggers at Christmas...

The much-hyped season of goodwill, peace and relaxation that is the family Christmas can in reality be a stressful time for many people. Meeting-up with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while, there can be inevitable questions about kids, or if you are planning a family.

If you’re married or living together, you feel the need to show up together at events (like the Christmas family lunch). No matter how nice the in-laws are, they’re not your family, so it’s not as relaxed and there’s pressure to play a role.

Even within our own families, returning home makes us to revert to childhood almost. We try to conform to what we feel is expected of us, and old sibling rivalry and favourites can surface.

So, what to do to negotiate the nativity and maintain that chilled and optimistic state-of-mind under pressure?

Sound bites

• Plan exactly how much you divulge, and to whom, about your fertility status.  People will notice if you avoid the pâté and stick to fruit juice, so agree what you will both say.

Stick to it

• There’s nothing worse than bitterly regretting a confidence that could just become the family gossip for the season. If you feel the need to share, or think you will feel the pressure to, be reasonably open and tell people that you would like a baby, sometime, and leave it at that.

Enjoy Family

• Draw strength from the people who care for you, i.e. your partner.  Whether festive lunches, leisurely brunches, or frosty country walks, do what makes you feel good.

Minimise exposure

• If you are feeling a bit fragile, just minimise exposure without any guilt-trip. Guest appearances are, by their nature, brief.  Visit, enjoy and leave. Cite other engagements (real or otherwise!) Risk of inquisition is reduced, and nobody can say you’ve snubbed them.

Schedule treatment

• It’s tough doing IVF over the holidays, so maybe take a break and get started again in the New Year.

Salute yourselves

Maybe your baby hasn’t arrived this year; but make a conscious decision to enjoy Christmas, take time for yourselves as a couple, kick back, and make your own traditions.

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