I’m not sure how many of your infertile ladies out there have had this problem, but I thought I’d share my experience.
My family doesn’t know about the infertility and the fertility treatments. There are a lot of reasons why, but it boils down to two big ones. 1. My family is insane and would call me constantly telling me things I already know. 2. It would worry them, and they have millions of other things to be worried about. I suppose this means I am both selfish AND concerned. I can live with that.
So, not knowing our circumstances, I can excuse my sister for doing THAT game during my baby shower. I think you all know the one. The one where after you’re done opening your gifts someone stands up and repeats back all of the comments you made, saying that these were comments made on the night your baby was conceived. Usually it’s things like “Oh, look how cute and tiny it is!” or “I’ve never seen one so small!” Sure, it’s amusing, but to the closeted infertile, it’s awkward. Made even more awkward by the fact that my friends DO know what I’ve been through. I’ve never heard a room so quiet. I was appreciative of them not finding this amusing.
It made me wonder how many other people have had to go through something like this. How many of you have had your friends decide to play this game without your knowledge? I understand my situation is a little backwards in that my family doesn’t know and my friends do, so I assume that if anyone has this problem, it would be a friend thinking it was a good idea and the entire family secretly thinking “eh, yikes.”
I wasn’t offended, because there was no way she could know, but I do think the game isn’t amusing. Is it because of my struggles? Maybe. I think it has a lot more to do with the fact that this is a party for a baby. Who wants to think about how that baby was made while at a party featuring rubber duckies, onsies, and colorful cupcakes? I understand it being amusing to do during a bridal shower (depending on how many old-fashioned grandmas are hanging out), but not a baby shower.
I hope that none of you have had to experience this awkward game during your showers. If you have, I hope your friends and family who know your struggles haven’t giggled and forgotten everything you’ve been through.
Wifey, Mommy, and What Have You 