Argh!!!!! So frustrated

[Faith27]

So, after having shared with the entire world that I was interested in attending a local fertility Group.. which I hadn't realised that I had done. I decided after much deliberation to go along... I felt fairly pleased with myself for making an actual decision this month having put off and put off going along.

All day and over the last few days however I had feelings of anxiousness and dread at the thought of sharing my story and how I feel with people that I didn't know. This was mixed with feelings of excitement as I anticipated my first ever support group. I really psyched myself up to go along.

So I turn up to the car park 20 minutes early and just sat in my car (having drove 40 minutes to get there). I waited until an acceptable level of time had passed - I didn't want to be too early!

I walk into the building to see a large table with a mixture of people all sat together in a meeting room straight ahead. My stomach dropped but I thought I'd best ask someone instead of just walking on in!

I ask the lady where the meeting room was (my plan all along was to avoid any embarassment by asking for the fertility Group and instead simply ask for the meeting room instead - brilliant masterplan, or so I had thought). The receptionist that I asked told me that she thought the meeting in that room was cancelled.. she then continued to ask me what meeting it was for? I could have died. This wasn't part of my plan!

I sucked up my fanny pants and confidently told her it was a fertility meeting (I'd already got this far, there was no backing out!). She then shouts over to another lady if the fertility meeting was going ahead.. I could now feel the embarrassment.

In fairness, the lady was so lovely and apologised and kept asking if that was ok - not sure what the alternative to it not being OK was going to be? A one to one with the receptionist? The entire 30 second conversation seemed to be a lifetime and if I could have paid for someone to kidnap me as soon as she said the meeting was cancelled, I sure would have.

I scurried out as quick as I could and made a very frustrated 40 minute journey back home.

I double checked my emails when I got home to see if there was anything I'd missed about the group being cancelled but couldn't find anything! Fair to say the whole experience has put me off attending again in the near future. I feel mentally exhausted!

I guess you have to laugh though. Never again 😂

P.s the meeting going ahead in the room was a weight watchers class! Good job I didn't just walk on in and start sharing my sob story lol

[Orla9298]

Awwww please don’t let that put you off! I was really needing support from people who were doing the same treatment in my early days of ivf. My first nhs clinic had a support group that meets monthly, and had a Facebook group. I tentatively voiced on the Facebook group that I was thinking of coming to the group but I was nervous, and a girl offered to look out for me to save her a seat, and the rest is history, I got talking to her and 2 other ladies and we have had a WhatsApp group for the last 2 years and become friends for life, gone to each others weddings, and been there through the toughest moments. Stick it out, you will find what you need. Instagram has also turned out to be amazing for support. If you don’t have an ivf instagram account it’s worth considering, my username is on my profile if you want to have a look, I’ve also met up with a number of people through that and I’m still in touch ☺️ xx

[Orla9298 in reply to Orla9298]

I should add, I did feel mentally exhausted from the first support meeting, but I’m so glad I went! And yes, lucky you didn’t end up in weightwatchers by mistake and being asked to step on a scale! 🙈

[Faith27 in reply to Orla9298]

That's such a lovely story, and a reason to try again next time one pops up - perhaps a bit more local! I don't have an IVF Insta- never thought of that.. perhaps will have to give it a try. Thanks for your kind words and the info xx

[Hidden]

Oh no, that's very insensitive of them not to let you know. Still, well done you for being so brave! I am not sure I would be so brave. I have seen some meet up organised from here. Perhaps DianeArnold will be able to help you with dates / locations. Xx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Hi! Thanks for replying. Unfortunately it was one of the fertility network meetings that I was going along to - Newport South East group. I receive regular emails and updates but hadn't let them know that I was going along - in case last minute I changed my mind so I assume if I had then I'd have been told but hadn't really considered the group getting cancelled and just went along. It may have been cancelled for something beyond their control too - I dont know but I think there is one going to be arranged more local to me in the future so if I pluck up my courage again, I may try that one.. not too sure after that experience lol xx

[Hidden in reply to Faith27]

At least you won't have had a 40 minute trip to get there and get more worried. Hope it works out next time. In the meantime you have everyone here xx

[Faith27 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Very true xxx