Infertility From a New Perspective

Hello Everyone! My name is Chris and I am part of the lab team at Michigan Reproductive Medicine. In addition to performing hormone testing, I also prepare semen specimens for semen analysis and for use in inseminations/IVF. However, most of you will know me as the guy who draws your blood first thing in the morning.

Having worked in the field of infertility for over 10 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people. My job gives me the unique opportunity to interact with our patients on not only a clinical level, but on a personal level as well. I gain insight into how each patient copes with the stresses of fertility treatment.

One common feeling our patients have is that of feeling alone in their fertility struggles. I always liken the experience to being the unpopular student in high school. The outsider watching from the sidelines while the “popular” kids seem to have everything together. It’s being a member of a club that you never wanted to be a part of. The whole infertility process can feel incredibly isolating.

The one thing I would like to tell patients is that you are not alone! There are so many people going through the same thing. Our recent  support group was fabulous! With over 20 people in attendance and guest speaker Lisa Haysmer, who talked about the emotional freedom technique: tapping, to help deal with stress and anxiety.

Even in the midst of blood draws, ultrasounds, and injections, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and the journey will definitely be worth it.