Fertility Clinics Waiting Areas…..😔

I drove passed Vitalab clinic last week on my way to work and the building reminded me of my journey….

I had to pause and reflect🥹

I used to hate how cold, sterile and intense the waiting area felt everytime we went there for an appointment. You would come all positive, hopeful and hyped up but get hit by the reality from the faces you see in that waiting room , reminding you that at least 85% of couples in that space had infertility issues. Though most of us shared similar struggles but it was still somehow difficult to connect. I would always avoid eye contact and would actually stare at my phone, scrolling aimlessly until our names are called out …..

The receptionists also looked like they had been programmed to respond in a certain way without showing any form of emotion. On the reception counter lay various pamphlets : ‘different types of fertility treatments, egg donations, sperm donors,’ …. You name it

With the finance department the gatekeepers, in Setswana I could describe them as pula-molomo (loosely translated mouth openers) i.e., the first place you go to before you can get any form of assistance i.e., medication or consulting with the doctor ….. . MONEY TALKS SIGH😔

Most of these appointments occured early mornings before work and each appointment would come with hormone injections which meant being bloated, emotionally and financially drained before one starts the day. ………

Driving passed last week I thought about that woman or a couple sitting in that waiting area … what they were going through , them trying to do whatever it takes to have a baby. I felt a surge of empathy , and said a little prayer for them ……

A lonely , uncertain and sad journey ….

If there is one thing I could change esp sitting in that waiting room would be to connect with women in that space….to talk, laugh, cry together and be each other’s support