For most people, seeing a smiling baby is a source of comfort and amusement.
For many couples who are unable to conceive, however, it can be a brutal reminder of the struggle to have a baby.
Infertility affects millions of couples every year.
From women who are unable to conceive due to advanced maternal age, to those who suffer from medical problems that make conception all but impossible, many women struggle with depression due to infertility.
One of the main reasons the inability to conceive can lead to depression is that women are bombarded with media messages about what makes her complete.
Most of those messages tout motherhood as a woman's ultimate value.
This can be heartbreaking to women who cannot achieve motherhood.
The key to surviving depression is to understand that motherhood is not the only way to feel valued and to have value in life.
Many women identify themselves by the fact that they are unable to carry a child.
This self-labeling is dangerous and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression.
You are more than infertile.
You are a wife, a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pet owner, a lover of fine art, a musician.
By embracing who you are as a total person, you can avoid feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness that ultimately lead to depression.
As a practical matter, engaging in certain behaviors and situations can cause or worsen depression.
While it's impossible to avoid children altogether, it may be wise to avoid situations that are a reminder of your inability to conceive.
Let your friends and family know that you are unable to conceive.
They won't be tempted to ask when you're going to have a baby or bombard you with photos of their own children.
Ultimately you will become comfortable with not having a child and these situations will become more bearable, but if these situations are causing you pain, it's best to avoid them until you are ready to deal with them.
Helping others is an excellent way to avoid depression and stop the negative feelings associated with infertility.
Love comes in many forms, and you can feel better about yourself by sharing your love with others who need it most.
Visit nursing homes, hospitals and homeless shelters.
Sharing your love with these people will lift their spirits and yours.
It is completely normal to feel depressed, angry, sad and frustrated over infertility.
Remember that you are more than infertile.
You are a multi-dimensional person who has a lot of offer the world.
Although it can be hard, you can overcome feelings of depression and grief that accompany infertility.
For many couples who are unable to conceive, however, it can be a brutal reminder of the struggle to have a baby.
Infertility affects millions of couples every year.
From women who are unable to conceive due to advanced maternal age, to those who suffer from medical problems that make conception all but impossible, many women struggle with depression due to infertility.
One of the main reasons the inability to conceive can lead to depression is that women are bombarded with media messages about what makes her complete.
Most of those messages tout motherhood as a woman's ultimate value.
This can be heartbreaking to women who cannot achieve motherhood.
The key to surviving depression is to understand that motherhood is not the only way to feel valued and to have value in life.
Many women identify themselves by the fact that they are unable to carry a child.
This self-labeling is dangerous and can lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression.
You are more than infertile.
You are a wife, a friend, a teacher, a doctor, a pet owner, a lover of fine art, a musician.
By embracing who you are as a total person, you can avoid feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness that ultimately lead to depression.
As a practical matter, engaging in certain behaviors and situations can cause or worsen depression.
While it's impossible to avoid children altogether, it may be wise to avoid situations that are a reminder of your inability to conceive.
Let your friends and family know that you are unable to conceive.
They won't be tempted to ask when you're going to have a baby or bombard you with photos of their own children.
Ultimately you will become comfortable with not having a child and these situations will become more bearable, but if these situations are causing you pain, it's best to avoid them until you are ready to deal with them.
Helping others is an excellent way to avoid depression and stop the negative feelings associated with infertility.
Love comes in many forms, and you can feel better about yourself by sharing your love with others who need it most.
Visit nursing homes, hospitals and homeless shelters.
Sharing your love with these people will lift their spirits and yours.
It is completely normal to feel depressed, angry, sad and frustrated over infertility.
Remember that you are more than infertile.
You are a multi-dimensional person who has a lot of offer the world.
Although it can be hard, you can overcome feelings of depression and grief that accompany infertility.