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Workplace Guide to Fertility - What to Say & Not Say

Course /What to Say & Not Say

What to Say

It’s not always easy to know what to say to a friend or colleague who’s going through fertility treatments or related challenges.

Everyone’s experience is different, and preferences vary — but most people appreciate a few simple, sincere responses. Experts and those with lived experience agree that honesty, empathy, and brevity go a long way.

Phrases such as “I’m so sorry” or “I’m sorry — I’m here if you ever want to talk” are often the most comforting. You might also say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to support you or cover for you at work.”

Your colleague may not be ready to discuss their situation, so keeping your message warm, short, and respectful — and allowing them to guide any further conversation — is usually best.

What You Shouldn’t Say

Many of us instinctively try to encourage, cheer up, or offer solutions — but in the context of fertility struggles, these well-meant efforts often miss the mark.

For someone in treatment, the journey already involves immense emotional, physical, and financial effort. When others suggest easy fixes or alternate paths — like “You should just adopt” or “Try to relax and it will happen” — it can feel dismissive of everything they’ve already endured.

Comments like these imply that the person’s choices or emotions are somehow wrong. They suggest that someone else knows better about what should make them happy — and that can be deeply invalidating.

Even comparisons, such as mentioning a friend who “finally had a baby” or “decided to stop trying,” rarely help. Instead of offering hope, they can intensify feelings of isolation or disappointment.

Expressions encouraging gratitude — like “Focus on the positives in life” — may also feel minimizing. While gratitude has its place, it should never be used to dismiss someone’s grief or longing.

Fertility patients are often overwhelmed by advice and opinions. What they truly need to hear is that they are supported — and that, whenever they’re ready, you’re there to listen or lend a hand.