It’s shocking sometimes what perfect strangers are open to asking you. Go to any holiday party and you’ll find yourself answering questions about your personal life to people you’ve never even met before. Nosy aunts of friends will inquire as to why you are single, what that scar on your leg is from and why you do the work that you do. And if you aren’t yet a mother after a certain age, you will inevitably be asked why that is. For a woman dealing with infertility issues, the conversation can be not only awkward but painful.
If you’re comfortable talking about your fertility treatments with others, go right ahead. This isn’t a taboo subject that shouldn’t be discussed out in the open. But if you aren’t comfortable sharing your private fertility information with others, don’t feel like you have to do so. It isn’t your fault that you’re having trouble with fertility and you shouldn’t feel like you have to explain yourself to anyone who asks. Field questions by answering evasively or changing the subject. If someone at a party is persistent in asking you about your lack of children, inform them directly that the subject isn’t up for discussion. You can always blame your abruptness on that extra glass of wine if it gets you in trouble with the relatives.
