Navigate the internet while TTC ~ Fertility Tips with Hannah
My must-know tips to help you sift through the good, bad, and ugly like a pro.
One of the biggest blessings - and also the greatest challenges - of the internet is navigating a never-ending stream of advice on what you should or should not do when trying to get pregnant. Facebook groups, blog posts, Instagram accounts, youtube videos… it’s amazing to live in an age where fertility is such an easy topic to research. When things aren’t going smoothly, it’s equally a blessing to be able to jump online and connect with others who are in the same place.
Rewind to my early days of TTC and none of this was readily available. I remember my husband digging up a Google website of study links that may or may not have been updated since 2011 and using that as a launching pad to dive into the research surrounding fertility, miscarriage, and the like. That was our primary resource. It’s honestly laughable thinking back knowing what we have now!
Fast forward to today and there is no lack of communities, blogs, TikTok accounts, and everything in between. I’m thrilled - truly - to see the way social media and the internet have blossomed with fertility-geared content! It’s so much easier to learn.
But with everything good, there is a drawback.
Today, I want to share five pieces of insight I’d give to myself if I was just starting on my TTC journey. I want to see you thrive in your journey and not get sucked down the rabbit hole of unreliable, unproven, and unhelpful information.
5 Things I Want You to Remember When
Not everyone who writes or posts about fertility online is a fertility expert. Many people have a lot of great information to share online, but not everything that appears factual is accurate.
Not everything touted as “the solution” for fertility challenges is helpful. There’s a lot of good stuff out there and there’s a lot of bazaar advice. Similarly, not every intervention, supplement, or lifestyle hack is helpful for everyone - even if they have the same diagnosed condition. So, don’t feel stressed if you aren’t doing “all the things” that you read about. They may not all be helpful for you.
If it seems too good to be true or bazaar, it probably is. Let’s be honest, there are a lot of people out there trying to make a buck or promote a strange fertility hack that is “guaranteed” to get you pregnant. Be skeptical as you come across new and unusual insights. If something doesn’t seem to come with evidence for why it might be helpful to you, move on! There are so many, fully validated interventions and lifestyle modifications that you are better off spending your efforts on.
Facebook groups are great for connecting with others, but be wary of asking for specific advice. It’s tempting to turn to large communities for answers! After all, everyone else is in the same place and is trying to achieve the same goal. But as someone who runs one of the largest, most active TTC Facebook Groups out there, I encourage you to be cautious. While people generally mean well, there’s a lot of bad advice that gets posted in the comments section. Before you implement what someone else told you to try, check in with your care team to ensure that it’s a good fit for your situation.
If social media feels triggering, take a break. It’s hard, I get it! I’ve personally been to the breaking point in my own TTC journey that I just needed space. So, from one woman to another - it’s okay to take a break. There is nothing that social media can provide you that is worth stress and anxiety.