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For many women, struggling with infertility woes can emotionally be a very personal battle that may often leave them feeling alone.
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It was for that reason a local woman five years ago started a peer support group called Fertility Friends.
“I struggled (with infertility) for a couple years,” said Stacey Robert-Tobin. “I went looking for some type of peer support, went out in the community and there was literally nothing available. I decided to do something about it, so I started the group.”
It is believed that one in six families can face struggles dealing with fertility issues, she said.
Given such widespread issues, Fertility Friends has ballooned over time across Windsor and Essex County to include 400 members. Aside from periods during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the group holds monthly meetings and provides a variety of resources.
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“We started as a very small group working with clinics, giving peer support and directing people to physicians,” Robert-Tobin said. “We just try to be there to be a listening ear. It’s really grown quite a bit. I’m very proud of what this has developed into.
“The most difficult thing for someone is never knowing if your dreams are going to come true. You are grieving something you never had. That’s the best way I can explain it.”
This week (April 24-30) marks the annual Infertility Awareness Week, but on Saturday many of the group’s members chose to stage a bit of a celebration for what they call their “miracle” babies.
A group of roughly 20 moms and their young children gathered at Lakewood Park in Tecumseh for a happy occasion, marking how they were finally able to overcome their infertility struggles.
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“I wanted to do something different — to show people there is hope for people who have struggled with infertility for years,” said Robert-Tobin who attended with her three-year-old daughter Bella.
“That you can overcome infertility and miracle babies do happen. We wanted to show it’s possible to make family a reality.”
Much of the eventual success for people struggling to have children is attributed to in vitro fertilization which is known to have roughly a 50 per cent success rate.
“I can only speak for myself, but I feel incredibly grateful every day to have been able to have (Bella),” Robert said.
For anyone interested to learn more or join the group, it can be found online on Facebook under Fertility Friends or by email at [email protected].
