Reddit

[Anonymous]

Anyone go on reddit infertility? Lots of great information but why are they so mean? Every time I post I get reprimanded for something. I'm scared to even post.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that. I hate online bullying especially if you're coming for help. Try r/IVF. I haven't seen too much of that behavior.

[Anonymous]

I’d read the forum rules. I loved that subreddit when I was in the thick of it. Lots of rules, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a great supportive community.

[Anonymous]

Jeez, I just read that forum's rules and it does not seem like an open, welcoming place at all. Looks like one of those Reddit subs where the moderators have a very specific conversational ideal in mind and slam down on anyone who doesn't fit in their clique. (And I like Reddit, but I really do think some of their subs don't really want to welcome anyone but those exactly like them.) That list of "banned terms" alone is insane language policing. Really? Someone can't say "embie"? The whole thing smacks of "not like other girls" attitude, ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeez, I just read that forum's rules and it does not seem like an open, welcoming place at all. Looks like one of those Reddit subs where the moderators have a very specific conversational ideal in mind and slam down on anyone who doesn't fit in their clique. (And I like Reddit, but I really do think some of their subs don't really want to welcome anyone but those exactly like them.) That list of "banned terms" alone is insane language policing. Really? Someone can't say "embie"? The whole thing smacks of "not like other girls" attitude, ugh.

Also, sorry, realized that was a lot of complaining and not very useful. OP, I have found Inspire's support groups to be pretty good. https://www.inspire.com/groups/finding-a-resolution-for-infertility/

[Anonymous]

I think r/infertility is geared towards people who are very triggered by certain things (pregnancy announcements, really positive egg retrieval results, etc). I know I was triggered by a lot when I was in the thick of things, so it was nice to have a space to communicate questions and experiences while knowing I would not see certain things. Agree that r/IVF is a less restricted community, with a lot of overlap but very few rules. I think there can be space for both things on reddit.

[Anonymous]

I am on there a lot. Yes, there are a lot of rules. And I definitely think it is geared towards those who are very triggered by anything pregnancy and baby related. That said, it is a very supportive community. I love how science-minded they are. The institutional knowledge there is a real asset.

I think they really do try to have a policy of being open to feedback and receptive to correction but don’t hold grudges. I have secondary infertility and definitely put my foot in my mouth one time. I’ve still received support since then. My advice is to do a lot of lurking/reading first.

I will agree that one mod in particular is extremely sarcastic and harsh with her comments. But I think the others strike a better balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am on there a lot. Yes, there are a lot of rules. And I definitely think it is geared towards those who are very triggered by anything pregnancy and baby related. That said, it is a very supportive community. I love how science-minded they are. The institutional knowledge there is a real asset.

I think they really do try to have a policy of being open to feedback and receptive to correction but don’t hold grudges. I have secondary infertility and definitely put my foot in my mouth one time. I’ve still received support since then. My advice is to do a lot of lurking/reading first.

I will agree that one mod in particular is extremely sarcastic and harsh with her comments. But I think the others strike a better balance.

Correcting myself: having members be open to feedback and receptive to correction. Mods, not quite so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am on there a lot. Yes, there are a lot of rules. And I definitely think it is geared towards those who are very triggered by anything pregnancy and baby related. That said, it is a very supportive community. I love how science-minded they are. The institutional knowledge there is a real asset.

I think they really do try to have a policy of being open to feedback and receptive to correction but don’t hold grudges. I have secondary infertility and definitely put my foot in my mouth one time. I’ve still received support since then. My advice is to do a lot of lurking/reading first.

I will agree that one mod in particular is extremely sarcastic and harsh with her comments. But I think the others strike a better balance.

Sorry, I don't find it very science minded. Example: "Biological sex is not necessarily a binary situation since we have intersex members and members who do not have the typical XX or XY chromosome sets." (This is patently wrong. Chromosomal variation occurs within each biological sex category, it doesn't crisscross between the two categories. Gender expression, and biological sex are separate issues. I am quite wary of a considering it a source of "institutional knowledge")