I am never content with the blessings that I have, but I see the next step, the next milestone, the next blessing I want. I'm single minded in my prayer, only talking to God about what I think I need. I fail to take into account all the blessings I do have, ignoring the fact that I used to pray for all the things I have now. I feel as if God is holding back from me the very thing that will make me happy, holy, the best version of myself.

Infertility is deeply personal. Some people might choose to “suffer in silence” because for personal reasons they don't want to talk about infertility with many others. Some people feel they can't because it's taboo in their culture or family. Some may have tried to talk about it and didn't receive a supportive response. There are many reasons you might remain private about your infertility so we opened up the discussion to some of our writers to share their experiences. 

I have learned from Joachim and Anne that persistent prayer changes us more than it changes our circumstances. After seven years of praying for a child, I’ve discovered that some of my most profound moments with God have come when I’ve run out of words. Like old friends who can sit together without speaking, I’m learning to simply be in God’s presence with my longing. Joachim and Anne must have experienced this too.

This year at The Fruitful Hollow, our theme is "fruitfulness in your home and marriage". We are exploring ways we can exercise fruitfulness in our domestic church, physical home, hobbies, relationships and wider family, even in times of darkness. This week we're extending that to our places of work, wherever those may be. 

Several years ago, my husband and I made a pilgrimage to St. Augustine, Florida to visit the shrine of Our Lady of La Leche . I had first heard about this Marian shrine from a friend, who described it as a peaceful place where she and countless others had visited to pray for a child . I arrived at the shrine not fully sure what to expect. Just a few hours later, I left in awe – transformed by an unexpected encounter with Christ. My encounter with Jesus took place in the sacra

In my journey through the Christian life, certain spiritual mentors have guided and shaped me in profound ways. In college, it was St....

choosing to stay faithful to Church teaching, faithful to your husband and faithful to your body is pro-life, even if it means not having children at all. By choosing not to pursue anti-life options, you're standing up for life. By not commodifying children, you're protecting a culture of life and your options of showing it are limitless. 

This is part 3 in our “Infertility on screen” series. You can read part 1 here, where Brandy discussed Up, Beetlejuice, and Julie & Julia, and read part 2 here, where C. J. explored The Help, Trying and Black Widow. 

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.