Year seven looks nothing like I was told it would. By now, according to the theology I grew up with, this should be over. God should have answered. His timing should have been perfect. The story should have reached its redemptive conclusion: the testimony with the happy ending where I stand up in church and declare how faithful God was through our infertility journey, baby in my arms. Instead, I'm staring down the reality that I'm aging out. That the door to adoption has slam

A different approach to gratitude We’ve all heard the well-meaning advice to focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have - “comparison is the enemy of contentment” or “comparison is the thief of joy”. But doing the often recommended “write down one thing you're thankful for a day” can feel pretty empty when you’re longing for a child, and instead are supposed to relish in your journal entry of “I’m thankful for the takeout we had for dinner”. It can feel like a rathe

Trying to conceive while dealing with infertility comes with intense emotions. Each new treatment, supplement or surgery can fill us with the possibility that “this, surely, will be the month!” often to only be met by deep despair when we see that, once again, this month is not our month for the pregnancy we have longed for for so long. How do we continue forward in hope, leaving room for the possibility for God to work a miracle, all while not setting ourselves up for an emo

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.

Infertility breaks your heart in places you didn’t know could crack. It’s the quiet disappointment after each cycle, the sadness that shows up in moments that were supposed to feel happy, and the way it creeps into your thoughts when you least expect it. If you’re reading this, you already know the pain. What you may not know is how much your mental health matters while you carry this cross.

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

Knowing you may be dealing with an infertility diagnosis before entering marriage can sometimes feel like an intimidating journey...

To mark Baby Loss Awareness Month, we have created these reflections on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary as a way of accompanying all..

I wrote out my entire personal journey in a memoir I published several years ago called “Twelve Stripes Deep: How Infertility & Other ...

Shiloh IVF Ministry has formed as a new ministry, uniquely set up to accompany and serve women, men and couples who are struggling with heal

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

When we find ourselves in any of these 3 places, it is important to first identify it, give yourself a little grace and understanding… then

If you’re new to NFP, it can be confusing to hear mention of different methods, and often we only hear about whichever one is promoted in...

Trigger warning: This blog addresses sexual abuse.

Helping your spouse help you! Infertility can be full of stressful situations: your monthly cycle, medical appointments, pregnancies of...

We are Frances and Clare, two sisters and best friends, and care packages are our love language! Frances carries the cross of infertility an

It is important to keep honest and open communication with your spouse and other loved ones to let them know when we feel overstretched and

We believe that sex needs to be talked about more in the Catholic Church so that fewer couples feel alone on their journey. To open up...

Walking the path of infertility is an experience of life not following the path we have hoped and planned for. This deviation from our...

Sometimes, tough seasons can go on indefinitely, and the levels of support you need may vary depending on the day. During your infertility..