If you are struggling with fertility, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (2023), 1 in 4 couples in developed countries are affected by infertility.
This week, we at Back to Balance are honoring National Infertility Awareness Week which is a federally recognized initiative founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Its mission is to reduce stigma, expand access to care, and support those navigating the fertility journey.
For anyone who has tried to get pregnant (or stay pregnant) you know how deeply challenging this path can be. And even if you haven’t experienced it yourself, you’ve likely witnessed someone close to you walk through it.
My passion for restorative fertility medicine is personal. My fertility journey asked me to surrender in ways I never expected; to lean into prayer, trust in my body and the process, and the unfolding of something greater.
Here are a few reflections patients have shared with me recently:
“This journey is like a never-ending rollercoaster–high highs and low lows. You just have to hang on.”
“I believe in my body. I know I can do this.”
“A close friend got pregnant after years of trying and several failed IVF rounds. I’m so happy for her… and also jealous. I hate feeling that way.”
“A healthcare provider told me to ‘just stop trying.’ I know what they meant, but it made me angry. I guess that would feel like giving up and I’m not ready for that.”
“I talk about diminished ovarian reserve with my best friend and how hard it’s been to receive that diagnosis, but she can’t relate and honestly I think she’s tired of hearing about it. I feel so alone.”
So how can we support this mission and our friends and family struggling with fertility?
- Wear orange
- Join a Walk of Hope or donate
- Share your story on social media using #MoreThan and #NIAW2026
Infertility is complex. It is medical. It is emotional. But it is NOT a personal failure.
If there is one takeaway, let it be this:
Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should…
— Desiderata, Max Ehrmann (1927)
With all its uncertainty and longing, this is still a beautiful world.
Strive to be at peace. Strive to be hopeful.
And remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone. I am here when you are ready. 970-963-6500
Warmly,
Dr. Casey Bowen