‘When a Couple Can’t Have a Baby, People Usually Blame The Woman’

There needs to be more awareness around infertility to break the stigma around it.

(Photo: iStock)

(The following article is part of #SheIsCompleteInHerself – a Prega News campaign that aims to raise awareness around infertility and celebrate every woman for who she is.)

Sheetal (name changed on request), who is based in Canada and in her late 30s, feels that couples need to be supportive of each other when it comes to dealing with infertility. Read her full story below.

Moment of realisation: We have been married of over 10 years. It was in the fifth year of our marriage we realised that we’re unable to have a baby.

Coming to terms with it: We were very practical and supportive of each other about what we needed to do and who we needed to consult. There was no blame game in our marriage.

The pressure of starting a family: Family pressure was always there but we had our priorities set even before thinking about having kids. My husband stood his ground and we took our decision together, plus we kept it private as to when or how we were going to have kids.

#SheIsCompleteInHerself is a Women’s Day initiative by Prega News, India’s No. 1 pregnancy detection card. Check out their powerful Women’s Day video that addresses infertility.

Whether society is harsher to women: I think people just assume it’s the woman’s fault no matter what, but if you have a supportive relationship with your husband you don’t need to answer anyone.

Whether motherhood completes a woman: These days, motherhood is not what completes a woman. Her independence and confidence defines her more than anything else. I think we have been suppressed for years. It’s 2021 and society needs to change its mindset. Women can be whoever they want.

Breaking the stigma around infertility: I think there needs to be more awareness around infertility and it’s important to stop blaming people.