{"id":1290,"date":"2026-08-13T13:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T18:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/?p=1290"},"modified":"2026-08-13T13:42:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T18:42:03","slug":"pregnant-after-ivf-and-friendship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/?p=1290","title":{"rendered":"When You&#8217;re Pregnant After IVF and Your Friend Is Still Trying"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1290\" class=\"elementor elementor-1290\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47ccfda e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"47ccfda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3fbd22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e3fbd22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"730\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-730x1024.avif\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-833\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-730x1024.avif 730w, https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-214x300.avif 214w, https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-768x1077.avif 768w, https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" data-attachment-id=\"833\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/?attachment_id=833\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif\" data-orig-size=\"900,1262\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"female friends back\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-730x1024.avif\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47922fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"47922fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When You're Pregnant After IVF and Your Friend Is Still Trying<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24fd5ec e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"24fd5ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-554015f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"554015f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"11:1-11:132;684-815\">You did the shots. You waited on the phone calls. You held your breath during the two-week wait. And now, finally, you&#8217;re pregnant.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"13:1-13:107;817-923\">But your dear friend is still in it. Still doing the injections. Still waiting for a different phone call.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"15:1-15:253;925-1177\">You want to celebrate. You also don&#8217;t want to hurt her. That mix of joy and worry is exhausting, and it&#8217;s more common than you think \u2014 especially here in Texas, where IVF and fertility treatment are becoming part of more women&#8217;s everyday conversations.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"17:1-17:214;1179-1392\">This isn&#8217;t a friendship problem you caused. It&#8217;s a hard moment that two people who care about each other are trying to get through together. Here&#8217;s how to do that without losing yourself, your friend, or your joy.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sourcepos=\"19:1-19:33;1394-1426\"><strong>Why This Feels So Complicated<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"21:1-21:117;1428-1544\">Infertility and IVF pregnancy sit close together emotionally, but they are very different experiences. You may feel:<\/p><ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"23:1-26:66;1546-1719\"><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"23:1-23:25;1546-1570\">Guilty for being happy<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"24:1-24:28;1571-1598\">Scared to share good news<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"25:1-25:55;1599-1653\">Confused about how much to talk about your pregnancy<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"26:1-26:66;1654-1719\">Sad that something that once brought you closer now feels tense<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"28:1-28:22;1721-1742\">Your friend may feel:<\/p><ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"30:1-33:69;1744-1897\"><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"30:1-30:26;1744-1769\">Genuinely happy for you<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"31:1-31:32;1770-1801\">Grief about her own situation<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"32:1-32:27;1802-1828\">Left behind or forgotten<\/li><li class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\" data-sourcepos=\"33:1-33:69;1829-1897\">Frustrated that she has to manage her feelings <em>and<\/em> be supportive<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"35:1-35:95;1899-1993\">Both of these can be true at the same time. Neither of you is wrong for feeling what you feel.<\/p><h2 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sourcepos=\"37:1-37:55;1995-2049\"><strong>5 Mental Health Tips for Navigating This Friendship<\/strong><\/h2><h4 class=\"mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"39:1-39:51;2051-2101\"><strong>1. Name the awkwardness instead of avoiding it<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"41:1-41:102;2103-2204\">Silence usually makes things harder, not easier. You don&#8217;t need a big speech. Something simple works:<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"43:1-43:185;2206-2390\"><em>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want things to feel weird between us. I care about you, and I also don&#8217;t want to hide something big from you. Can we figure out together how you&#8217;d like me to share updates?&#8221;<\/em><\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"45:1-45:79;2392-2470\">This puts your friend in the driver&#8217;s seat instead of guessing what she needs.<\/p><h4 class=\"mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"47:1-47:37;2472-2508\"><strong>2. Let her set the pace, not you<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"49:1-49:90;2510-2599\">Some women want to know every detail. Others need space and check in later. Ask directly:<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"51:1-51:95;2601-2695\"><em>&#8220;Would you rather I text you updates, or would you prefer I not bring it up unless you ask?&#8221;<\/em><\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"53:1-53:36;2697-2732\">This isn&#8217;t rejection. It&#8217;s respect.<\/p><h4 class=\"mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"55:1-55:42;2734-2775\"><strong>3. Separate guilt from responsibility<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"57:1-58:69;2777-2902\">Guilt says, <em>&#8220;I did something wrong by being pregnant.&#8221;<\/em> Responsibility says, <em>&#8220;I can be thoughtful about how I share this.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"60:1-60:151;2904-3054\">You are allowed to be excited about your pregnancy. You are not responsible for fixing her pain, and she is not responsible for pretending she&#8217;s fine.<\/p><h4 class=\"mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"62:1-62:42;3056-3097\"><strong>4. Protect your own mental health too<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"64:1-64:214;3099-3312\">IVF pregnancies often come with their own fear, especially in early weeks. You&#8217;re allowed to need support without feeling like you have to earn it by comparing your struggle to hers. Both experiences deserve care.<\/p><h4 class=\"mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"66:1-66:71;3314-3384\"><strong>5. Get outside support instead of putting it all on the friendship<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"68:1-68:290;3386-3675\">One friendship, even a strong one, cannot hold every feeling both of you have about infertility, pregnancy, grief, and hope. A therapist who understands fertility-related mental health can give you a space to process guilt, fear, and joy without worrying about how it lands on your friend.<\/p><h3 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-sourcepos=\"70:1-70:46;3677-3722\"><strong>This Doesn&#8217;t Have to Break Your Friendship<\/strong><\/h3><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"72:1-72:205;3724-3928\">Friendships can survive different fertility journeys. What usually breaks them isn&#8217;t the situation itself \u2014 it&#8217;s silence, assumptions, and unspoken hurt. A little honesty and a lot of grace go a long way.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"74:1-74:161;3930-4090\">If you&#8217;re in Texas and navigating pregnancy after IVF, infertility grief, or the emotional side of fertility treatment, you don&#8217;t have to figure this out alone.<\/p><h4 class=\"mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"76:1-76:23;4092-4114\"><strong>Let&#8217;s Talk About It<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"78:1-78:111;4116-4226\">If you&#8217;re carrying guilt, worry, or grief you haven&#8217;t said out loud yet, I&#8217;d like to help you work through it.<\/p><p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\" data-sourcepos=\"80:1-80:151;4228-4378\">Schedule a session with me to talk through what you&#8217;re feeling and how to protect both your mental health and your friendships during this season.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8537253 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8537253\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/oakharborwellness.sessionshealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Schedule A Session<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Navigating friendship during pregnancy after IVF can be complex, especially when a friend is still undergoing treatment. It&#8217;s essential to address feelings of guilt, joy, and responsibility openly. By communicating and respecting each other&#8217;s emotional needs, friendships can be preserved. Seeking external support can also help process these emotions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272882261,"featured_media":833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1364],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fertility"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgSJVi-kO","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-150x150.avif",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-214x300.avif",214,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back-730x1024.avif",730,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false],"newspack-article-block-landscape-large":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",642,900,false],"newspack-article-block-portrait-large":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",856,1200,false],"newspack-article-block-square-large":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",856,1200,false],"newspack-article-block-landscape-medium":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",428,600,false],"newspack-article-block-portrait-medium":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",571,800,false],"newspack-article-block-square-medium":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",571,800,false],"newspack-article-block-landscape-intermediate":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",321,450,false],"newspack-article-block-portrait-intermediate":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",428,600,false],"newspack-article-block-square-intermediate":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",428,600,false],"newspack-article-block-landscape-small":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",214,300,false],"newspack-article-block-portrait-small":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",285,400,false],"newspack-article-block-square-small":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",285,400,false],"newspack-article-block-landscape-tiny":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",107,150,false],"newspack-article-block-portrait-tiny":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",143,200,false],"newspack-article-block-square-tiny":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",143,200,false],"newspack-article-block-uncropped":["https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/female-friends-back.avif",900,1262,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Lindsay Merrell","author_link":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/author\/lindsay0b904677f8"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/?cat=1364\" rel=\"category\">Fertility &amp; Maternal Mental Health<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Navigating friendship during pregnancy after IVF can be complex, especially when a friend is still undergoing treatment. It's essential to address feelings of guilt, joy, and responsibility openly. By communicating and respecting each other's emotional needs, friendships can be preserved. Seeking external support can also help process these emotions.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/272882261"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1290"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1298,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1290\/revisions\/1298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/therapyintx.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}