Building Your Village With Other Physicians Through Infertility
I heard it said recently that every physician needs a space where they can put down their cape. This is especially relevant when walking the fertility journey as a female physician. Our journeys can feel incredibly isolating, and being a physician patient brings its own sets of challenges which most people would not understand. At Love and Science, we believe that no one should walk this journey alone. Whether you are undergoing IUI, IVF, egg freezing, or any other form of treatment, building your village – your community of support – can make an immeasurable difference in how you experience this chapter of life.
Finding Your Tribe
When we think about healing, we often think about the power of individual work, however, there’s just something about healing through community that’s simply unparalleled. When we come together with people who share similar beliefs, hopes, and dreams, we can heal in ways we simply can’t alone.
Our tribes should be made up of people who simply get it without needing an explanation. They’re nonjudgmental, they provide a safe space, and they listen without trying to fix things. When we surround ourselves with these people, we get insight, we feel validated, and we can begin to heal.
Why Your Village Matters
Facing infertility comes with so many emotions, from grief to hope and everything in between. All of these feelings can be certainly overwhelming, and somehow as physicians we feel like we should be handling it better. Friends and family may want to help, to offer a bit of advice or provide some comfort, but they don’t always know how. And sometimes they are downright insensitive and hurtful. And of course, our medical teams are essential for our physical treatment, but our emotional, mental, and spiritual care requires a broader support system.
Research shows that social support can buffer the stress of treatment, reduce anxiety and depression, and even improve treatment adherence and resilience. In short, your village is not just a “nice to have” – it is a critical pillar of holistic fertility care and bridging you to parenthood while thriving, not merely surviving.
Tips for Building Your Tribe
First and foremost, it is so important that we are honest about what we need. There are so many people that do want to support us, but they need some guidance. If we need space, it is important that we say so, and, if we need extra check-in texts on a transfer day, we can ask for them.
Secondly, it is imperative that we set boundaries with those who drain us. We need to protect our energy fiercely, and this may include unfollowing social media accounts or declining certain gatherings.
Another recommendation is to join groups proactively – we don’t wait until we are in crisis to seek support. We want to surround ourselves with our community early so that when the tough days do come, we are not scrambling or doom scrolling for help.
Lastly, we should consider professional support a non-negotiable. This includes therapy, coaching, and support groups (I believe in all of them!), as these are investments in our mental health, relationship stability, and treatment resilience.
The Importance of Group Coaching
Healing happens when we are surrounded by others, and more so when we surround ourselves with people who understand exactly what we are going through. Through group coaching sessions, we have access to the most valuable resources of all: community, compassion, and insight, which allow us to face our fertility journeys with strength and resilience. Just imagine having a circle of female physicians, those who can relate to your day to day experiences as a doctor, those who can share stories of juggling fertility treatments with busy clinics, and those who can empower you to take the next right step.
When we choose to join a group coaching community, we are making an investment in ourselves and our fertility success. The gift of strong women uplifting other strong women through appointments, test results, successes, losses, and everything in between, is incredibly rare and valuable. Fortunately, Love and Science has already built this village, and we are here for you with open arms.
Ready to Build Your Village?
If you’re looking for a community of physician women that truly understands your journey, we invite you to join our group coaching sessions through Love & Science. We’re not just learning strategies – we’re building a tribe of courageous, compassionate female physicians who lift each other up. You don’t have to do this alone, and I would be honored to be your guide.
Click here to learn more about our group coaching sessions.
