Curious about participants on this forum

[Anonymous]

Are most of the posters to this TTC Discussion and Support forum going through fertility treatments of some sort? I kind of get that impression, so don't want to intrude if the forum slants a lot more that direction.

[Anonymous]

Most, but not all. I think those going through treatment often seek out more community support than those who don't need it, so they have a more active presence on these boards.

[Anonymous]

And most of us now going through treatments started out TTC on our own , so if you have qusetions at BBT charting or OPKs - people here can probably help. But it is probably best to keep in mind that many people reading your post are having trouble TTC, so you may want to leave our details about how you got pregnant with your first DC the month after you went off birth control pills (if that is the case).

[Anonymous]

and some of us are former TTCers with kids who just want to provide support or give back now that we aren't TTCing.

[Anonymous]

everyone is super nice, and you can always ask questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:everyone is super nice, and you can always ask questions.

Actually, I'd dispute this statement. I've seen a couple of nasty replies to questions/comments posted by people not dealing with infertility. People who have hopes and dreams and fears and wishes about their future children that don't start from the position of worrying about even being able to conceive. Those posters were ripped for being insensitive to all those struggling with fertility. I recall one thread where an OP was asked how dare she wish more for a boy or a girl when so many people on this board were just trying to get pregnant with any baby at all, and that if you posted here you had an obligation to be sensitive to all the feelings of everyone here.

So, to the OP, if you don't have fertility issues, you may still get some support. But I'd suggest that you never ever forget that there are people here who will get very upset if you inadvertently remind them that not everyone is struggling with infertility treatments.

[Anonymous]

I kind of agree with the PP, based on my limited time on this forum.

I actually AM struggling with fertility issues and seeking treatment right now, but I also have children that were conceived without medical help. When seeking advice here, I post only my specific question and I don't volunteer anything about my previous conceptions or pregnancies, even though I think it's relevant. I'm not trying to be deceitful in leaving that information out, but I understand the need to be sensitive to those who don't have children yet or who have been through much longer & harder struggles with fertility than I can even imagine. On some level I feel like people would be mad that I'm posting since I already have kids?? Maybe that's just my perception, though. I have gotten great support & advice in response to the questions I've posted.

I think everyone has a right to be here and ask questions, whether you are dealing with infertility or not. But it's the nature of the beast that those those who get pregnant in the first month or two don't show up here looking for TTC advice. I didn't come over here until I hit month 6 of trying.

[Anonymous]

I think/hope that people here are pretty supportive in general, even of those who don't have IF or those struggling with secondary IF. That said, even if sometimes people are less than 100% sympathetic, ppl are this board sure seem to be much nicer than a lot of the other DCUM boards (have you ever checked out the private schools board - yikes!!!).

[Anonymous]

Would it be useful to have two separate forums, maybe a general "trying to conceive" forum for any and all questions and also a forum addressing more specifically issues related to infertility?

If the current "ttc discussion and support" forum is pretty heavily populated with people dealing with infertility, it might not be a useful enviroment for those not struggling with the same but who nonetheless have questions related to conceiving, and they could inadvertently come off as insensitive to others who ARE struggling with infertility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would it be useful to have two separate forums, maybe a general "trying to conceive" forum for any and all questions and also a forum addressing more specifically issues related to infertility?

i think this would be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

I also think it might be a good idea. I think lots of people (myself included) come over here with general questions and either inadvertently offend someone by not being sensitive to infertility issues or think the board is not for them because they are not going through fertility treatment.

There are other message boards out there, though, for general TTC information.
And I don't think the topics of TTC and infertility treatment are necessarily mutually exclusive, so there could be some inefficiencies with having two separate forums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would it be useful to have two separate forums, maybe a general "trying to conceive" forum for any and all questions and also a forum addressing more specifically issues related to infertility?

If the current "ttc discussion and support" forum is pretty heavily populated with people dealing with infertility, it might not be a useful enviroment for those not struggling with the same but who nonetheless have questions related to conceiving, and they could inadvertently come off as insensitive to others who ARE struggling with infertility.

I am not sure another forum would be the best way.

A Q&A session with your doc. would be the best way. There are way too many armchair doctors on this board so the advice or "answers" you receive many not be credible.

[Anonymous]

If you are having fertility problems, this is your forum. If not, I suggest the Expectant Moms board - they are happy to talk about charting and getting your first BFP, etc. Not that people here aren't but as the OP senses, people here have one need and she may have another.

[Anonymous]

IVF Connections has good forums broken out by particular issues, age ranges etc and those are all people going through IVF, so more specific with a lot more traffic than this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are having fertility problems, this is your forum. If not, I suggest the Expectant Moms board - they are happy to talk about charting and getting your first BFP, etc. Not that people here aren't but as the OP senses, people here have one need and she may have another.

I have not yet gone through any medical intervention for TTC, but that doesn't mean I want to be hanging out on the expectant moms board hearing about the joys of pregnancy. I'm not pregnant. I am TTC. Kind makes me think the board "TTC Discussion and Support" is the place I should be.