Evening everyone! I have am starting a research project in up coming weeks on the impact of public awareness on mental health of people undergoing fertility treatment. To basically see if increasing awareness helps improve the mental health and stress levels of people receiving fertility treatment. My plan is to design a survey aimed at ladies from all different backgrounds, age's and lifestyle, especially a range of people from extremely open to extremely private and everything in between as this will help with more accurate results. It will be anonymous in order to protect identities.
So, my main point is would anyone be interested in taking part? please feel free to comment or message me. Just looking for a rough idea so that I can get to work on formulating the survey!! Thank you very much! look forward responses from all of you lovely, fantastic ladies xx
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bms12
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Hi what's the wider context, part of a university or private research? Who are the commissioners? Any sponsors? How are you intending to study this subject, face to face / phone interviews, email / online questionnaires, focus groups? So many questions.. in principle would be open to participate but need to understand a lot more šš xoxo
No problem! It's not a massive project, its fully independent research for my sociology access course. Its a graded piece of work on my overall research and collection methods as well as breadth, depth and presentation. Its graded by my private tutor and potentially the independent governing board called CERTA. It would be an online survey which I could send either through this site or create one and direct ladies too it on a site named survey monkey. Other than age and personal perspectives I want it completely confidential, no numbers, emails, names, or addresses as this creates more complex ethical issues and would like people to be as open as they can. As it is an independent study, I will be unable to carry out full focus groups although I am definitely open to ideas and could potentially carry out an online one?
The main context is quite specific, and as mentioned in initial post to look at whether society being more educated on infertility would have a positive impact on ladies like ourselves. I'm inspired by this, as its near enough my complete life and has been for 4 so far, and the comments we receive such as 'when you having a child' 'why haven't got one yet?' 'don't wait too long' or the advise people like to give, 'well just stop trying' ' I heard if you ate a peach then stood on your head for ten minutes before having sex your 99% guaranteed to get pregnant' 'why don't you just adopt?' and then the unawareness side that comes out with the 'is that IVF?' 'So you'll have twins then? aren't you lucky' and when people simply do not understand what we go through the heart ache, the pain and STILL make comments like 'you'll never cope with labour' 'you're tired? imagine how I feel having kids?' And I know on this site I have seen many women comment and post there emotions that have been affected because of these comments, because they've been made to feel ashamed or embarrassed, we are in a society, although it is improving, that turns a blind eye to infertility and its treated as though its few and far between whereas in reality it is A LOT more common than many people can comprehend.
I feel as though, although THIS project won't make a massive difference, the people who see the project may be encouraged, and also maybe one day I will be able to come back and expand on this on a much bigger scale, because I feel as though all these wonderful ladies are put down far too often and do not receive the recognition of the sacrifices and struggles in which they go through
Absolutely applaud you for doing your bit to raise awareness about this through education and research funding. I work at a University and I often think about the power education and research has to inform and influence support, guidance and awareness raising in the future.
Thank you, I decided to go back education as I would like to pursue a career in assisted conception, so to be given free reign of this project for my eduction it would feel wrong not to explore this subject area and also attempt to raise awareness. I am extremely excited! Xx
Its in between, its an access course for adult students for university prep where I study biology and sociology. But my hopes for this project is to continue it on, although this isn't a massive project I would to continue to expand on this in the future so I am considering this a smaller sample piece to broaden through further research x
You must stay in touch with me. If you need support following access to uni... shout. I don't think I've seen many people take on such a challenge as part of access to H.E. If you're willing to share via PM I'd be really interested in seeing where you're planning on studying and hearing about your plans āŗ x
Thank you all so much! The more the merrier! I am so excited to be able to try do my part in raising awareness for people who are on those journey, I will also be carrying out a second survey on the general publics understanding and awareness of reproductive illnesses and treatments xx
i'm definitely interested. thank you for taking on such an important and often overlooked subject that is (sadly) close to all of our hearts.
unexplained infertility has taken a huge toll on my mental health, i couldn't (and still can't) accept we are here and i've been terrified of becoming unwell as my mum is bi-polar. i explored lots of avenues - acupuncture, hypnosis, yoga. in the end i was put on a low dose antidepressant & have had lots of counselling.
i applaud anyone that raises awareness of an issue which i feel is still taboo.
all the best with your research project lovely - you're my hero! š
Thank you for sharing that, It isn't a journey that anyone chooses take, but it is something that many us need to do for ourselves and our partners. I do feel that if infertility was normalised and people were educated on the toll it takes on our mental health, we ladies would feel more supported and comfortable in our surrounds and therefor reducing the emotional pain and stress to at least a more manageable level. I just wish people didn't feel as though they should be ashamed or embarrassed about a health condition, when in reality your all some of the most selfless people I have ever had the pleasure to fall back on for support and talk with. So many things we cant do and so many things were meant to do, on top of all the side affects and emotions and appointments heck its like one really long pregnancy!!
I'm sorry that your fertility is undiagnosed, I can only imagine that this could be more difficult than a diagnosed issue. Wishing you the best.
Everyone that undergo's fertility treatment and manages keep themselves together are my hero's haha!! xx
I'm so grateful for the support! Cannot believe the response in just a few short hours. Desperately need sleep for work tomorrow but struggling due to excitement and idea's - feel as though I am bubbling over!
Count me in, im all for creating awareness I hate that I have to lead a secret life concealing the ordeal and treatment of infertility from friends and family and would love to see this address in society and for people to be more acknowledged. I don't know if anyone watches coronation street (British soap -I'm a northern girl at heart) but they are just starting a story line about ivf so I'm very interested in how they will portray it xxx
I used to watch it.. I'm glad that finally a soap will be tackling the issue. We have every other storyline so why not ivf! I did think that maybe Emmerdale may go down that route with Victoria and Adam.. x
I'm glad that it is becoming more common to see things like this but it's still not often enough. I'd be really greatful for that. I know it's difficult for some people to talk openly which is why I want it completely confidential, because then people can be completely honest, thank you x
Happy to help, I was as harsh as can be mentally with myself my last cycle, and could almost say I tricked my mind and body into it. Love this idea š” brilliant, count me in if I can help š¤š¼šš¼ššš®š®š®š®š®š¦š®š¦š®š¦š®š¦š®š¦š¦š®
I wouldn't mind completing questionnaire as anything that may improve the care around this will be beneficial. Struggling with my mental health at moment.
That would bee fantastic. If you want to talk feel free to message me, always have open ears. It is a really long and difficult process and I think talking does help x
Hi there. I just wanted to acknowledge your comment saying you're struggling with your mental health. I am actually a mental health therapist myself but y'know what, it's like all that has become irrelevant - I have struggled so so much through this journey of trying to conceive. So please know that you are not alone when you are struggling with your mind and feelings. It is the hardest thing I have ever faced. I used to wish to be like other women who conceive without much effort, but now I think that this harder path we walk makes us more special. Like warriors. Hang in there. Xx
Fully support this, anything to raise awareness of the issues we face both physically and mentally! I know my mental health has really suffered the last few years xxx
Completely agree that more awareness needed and like many of u, I have been subjected to the dreadful comments that BMS12 mentioned: ' why would u want to bring a baby in to this terrible world anyway?' , 'its so tiring, you really are better off as you are...', ' im so jealous of u jetting off to greece all the time for your treatment!!' (that one was the worst!!!) ARGGGGGHHHH makes me want to scream!!
So yes absolutely would love to take part as I am an open book, 45 so not the usual age and full of opinions about this lol!!! xxx
Hi ladies just wanting to give the boost a boost. Trying to get about 200 on board to increase credibility. If you know anyone in similar situations, would they be able to take part? Thank you everyone
When I send the surveys if they wouldn't mind filling them in and just them back with your own? Don't want to put on anyone though! So only if it's not inconvenient xx
Hi ladies, just a quick update! Been in hospital a few days with ohss so I'm a few days behind. I'm now home with some tramadol until it subsides and I am getting on with the survey and making sure all the relevant questions are in there. So will be out soon. Thank you for your patience! Xxx
Hi everyone! Thanks for your patience and hope you are all well, here is the link for the survey, if your unable to access it please give me a shout and we can figure something out such as by email etc. Thank you!! eagerly awaiting your responses! xxxx
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Trying to remain positive...
What would you do?
Reassuring all the ladies with zero symptoms 
