Inspired by “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis My dear Gloomsprout, Your last report delighted me immensely. Your “patient” is progressing beautifully toward our goals. Twenty-eight months of trying to conceive, twenty-four negative pregnancy tests, one miscarriage and one chemical pregnancy have prepared the soil magnificently. But do not grow complacent, nephew. The real harvest is just beginning.  You’ve attacked her identity brilliantly. She no longer sees herself as

The Fruitful Hollow is an international ministry and can only advise on generalities. Adoption requirements and options vary widely depending on your country and your state/province/region. When considering options and requirements, it is important to consult resources specific to your region.

As his wife, I vividly recall the day his words about IVF made me realize that pursuing it might create an unbridgeable gap

Discerning next steps can be challenging enough on your own, but discerning as a married couple is sometimes even harder. When it comes to..

It happened again the other night. I had put my oldest son to bed and was headed into my youngest’s room when I heard a faint whisper...

And yet, to many, it seems IVF provided the exit ramp from our most profound suffering. From an outsider's perspective, everything we...

If you’ve discerned this is the end of your trying-to-conceive journey, do not despair. If your family size is smaller than desired...

Successful, in the sense that four beautiful human lives were created. Unsuccessful in the sense that no babies were born.

The God of creation made everything that is, and there are still so many things He has not yet made. I don’t know how, I don’t know why...

It is a precarious concept to open your mind and heart enough to ponder if suffering is a blessing from God. When I first began to write...

Dear sister, I held the small container in my hand, carefully reading the instructions printed under my name. I had just arrived home...

The side effects from medications and then feeling like an experiment at times would just become too much. I remember crying when an...

When you know it is time for a change “I can’t do this any longer!” “I feel like I’m hitting my head against a brick wall.” “We just keep hitting obstacle after obstacle.” “Something has to change.” “I wish God would just tell us what to do.” If you find that you are telling yourself any of these things during your infertility journey (or any challenging season of adult life for that matter), take it as a sign that it’s time for a change. Are you perplexed, overwhelmed or stu

The reality is that infertility has no finish line. If you’ve carried the cross of infertility and were able to give birth, you’ve...

St. Teresa of Avila reminds us of the nature of our relationship with God, and the importance of steadfast faith and a focused, attentive..

We are excited to announce that a collection of infertility prayers and guided meditations by The Fruitful Hollow is now available to listen

Excuse me, what? Does my uterus know I’m Catholic? Despite years of painful periods and a late endometriosis diagnosis, I never once...

But what happens when the signs stop appearing? When the snacks stop coming, we’re aching with hunger and can’t see any meals on the way...

This is part 3 of a 3-part series by Dana Nygaard, LPC. Before reading this blog post, we suggest you read part 1, Boundaries: why they...

This is part 2 of a 3-part series by Dana Nygaard, LPC. Before reading this blog post, we suggest you read part 1, Boundaries: why they...