When You're Not Expecting

Pregnancy

Eventual Moms-To-Be: Heads Up!

Connie Shapiro PhD on March 9, 2012

We don't know the full story behind the fertility of high profile Hollywood moms. Few of them have shared the private details of their efforts to conceive: hormone treatments, in vitro fertilization, donor eggs or donor embryos. Learn more about how you can begin important conversations with your ob-gyn about your own fertility—even in your 20s!

We don't know the full story behind the fertility of high profile Hollywood moms. Few of them have shared the private details of their efforts to conceive: hormone treatments, in vitro fertilization, donor eggs or donor embryos. Learn more about how you can begin important conversations with your ob-gyn about your own fertility—even in your 20s!

Relationships

Banishing Your Heartache on Valentine's Day

Connie Shapiro PhD on February 8, 2012

Valentine's Day can be a challenge if your heart is aching. Here are some creative strategies to add some "zing" to your love life ...

Valentine's Day can be a challenge if your heart is aching. Here are some creative strategies to add some "zing" to your love life ...

Infertility

Soothing Holiday Sadness as You Remember Absent Loved Ones

Connie Shapiro PhD on December 14, 2011

It is natural to remember absent loved ones at holiday time. But it is also emotionally challenging to make sense of sad emotions when others around you are celebrating the holidays. Soothing yourself and making sense of poignant memories are a focus of this blog.

It is natural to remember absent loved ones at holiday time. But it is also emotionally challenging to make sense of sad emotions when others around you are celebrating the holidays. Soothing yourself and making sense of poignant memories are a focus of this blog.

Infertility

Infertility: Creating More Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions

Connie Shapiro PhD on November 11, 2011

Infertility presents special challenges at Thanksgiving, when it can be difficult to celebrate in the midst of pregnant relatives, newborns and untactful family members,

Infertility presents special challenges at Thanksgiving, when it can be difficult to celebrate in the midst of pregnant relatives, newborns and untactful family members,

Are you frustrated that your partner can't comfort you when you need it the most? Here's how to connect around certain issues that may be especially difficult to discuss.

Infertility

Toxic Question: Do You Have Kids?

Connie Shapiro PhD on October 3, 2011

When we have a history of infertility, we can feel apprehensive when deciding whether and how much information to offer an acquaintance about this aspect of our lives.

When we have a history of infertility, we can feel apprehensive when deciding whether and how much information to offer an acquaintance about this aspect of our lives.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy at 40: How Realistic Is It?

Connie Shapiro PhD on September 10, 2011

Why is it that some women wait until they are 40 to begin trying to conceive? Is it finally that their lives have settled down enough to contemplate children as the next step? Or, as a recent NYTimes article posed, do women who physically look much younger than their age actually believe their 40-year-old eggs are up to the challenge of conceiving a healthy baby?

Why is it that some women wait until they are 40 to begin trying to conceive? Is it finally that their lives have settled down enough to contemplate children as the next step? Or, as a recent NYTimes article posed, do women who physically look much younger than their age actually believe their 40-year-old eggs are up to the challenge of conceiving a healthy baby?

A recent study portrays IVF couples as having quite different anticipations of parenthood than couples who conceive without medical intervention. IVF couples and the health care professionals who work with them will be challenged to address certain issues highlighted in this study.

Infertility

A Vacation from Infertility?

Connie Shapiro PhD on July 15, 2011

In today's blog, I'll offer my thoughts on why a vacation from infertility can be such an important and challenging issue to consider.

In today's blog, I'll offer my thoughts on why a vacation from infertility can be such an important and challenging issue to consider.

Infertility

In Vitro Fertilization: What's Realistic to Expect?

Connie Shapiro PhD on July 11, 2011

I'm a big fan of realism when it comes to infertility, because operating on false hope can get in the way of making realistic plans for parenthood. In today's blog I'll present the facts, as well as the emotional considerations, about how soon (and for how long) to rely on IVF for fulfilling hopes of a healthy pregnancy.

I'm a big fan of realism when it comes to infertility, because operating on false hope can get in the way of making realistic plans for parenthood. In today's blog I'll present the facts, as well as the emotional considerations, about how soon (and for how long) to rely on IVF for fulfilling hopes of a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy

When Hopes for a Happy Pregnancy Are Disrupted

Connie Shapiro PhD on June 30, 2011

It happens. The early joy of a much-wanted pregnancy is suddenly shattered by something unexpected: Your partner's betrayal, a troubling prenatal diagnosis or a family catastrophe. When this happens, you feel as if you are in the midst of an emotional balancing act with no acrobatic training.

It happens. The early joy of a much-wanted pregnancy is suddenly shattered by something unexpected: Your partner's betrayal, a troubling prenatal diagnosis or a family catastrophe. When this happens, you feel as if you are in the midst of an emotional balancing act with no acrobatic training.

Gratitude

Fathers' Day: A holiday of gratitude or yearning?

Connie Shapiro PhD on June 13, 2011

Fathers' Day is so visible you can't miss it! But it also is complex. Some of us can genuinely express gratitude to our father on this holiday. Others may have several father figures, with each representing a unique relationship. And then there are the men who yearn to be fathers but cannot easily attain that coveted role.

Fathers' Day is so visible you can't miss it! But it also is complex. Some of us can genuinely express gratitude to our father on this holiday. Others may have several father figures, with each representing a unique relationship. And then there are the men who yearn to be fathers but cannot easily attain that coveted role.

Resilience

Can We Learn Anything From Tornadoes About Resilience?

Connie Shapiro PhD on June 2, 2011

As coverage of tornadoes has proliferated, I find myself speculating about the larger lessons that may lie beneath the shattered landscape: coping with loss, recovering from devastation and seeking support are universal in many tragedies we face over the course of our lives.

As coverage of tornadoes has proliferated, I find myself speculating about the larger lessons that may lie beneath the shattered landscape: coping with loss, recovering from devastation and seeking support are universal in many tragedies we face over the course of our lives.

Stress

Rebounding from Springtime Stress!

Connie Shapiro PhD on May 19, 2011

Even as bright flowers, longer hours of sunshine, and gradual warmth abound in the spring, many of us have encountered potholes in this otherwise cheerful season. Whether you are rebounding from the stress of Spring holidays, winter weight gain, or infertility, here are some thoughts on how to set your sights on moving forward!

Even as bright flowers, longer hours of sunshine, and gradual warmth abound in the spring, many of us have encountered potholes in this otherwise cheerful season. Whether you are rebounding from the stress of Spring holidays, winter weight gain, or infertility, here are some thoughts on how to set your sights on moving forward!

Friends

Am I A Mothers' Day Grinch?

Connie Shapiro PhD on April 26, 2011

Am I a Mothers' Day Grinch? Not exactly, but today I'd like to present a perspective that is different from the one depicted on Hallmark cards: the perspective of families who need some extra compassion on this holiday.

Am I a Mothers' Day Grinch? Not exactly, but today I'd like to present a perspective that is different from the one depicted on Hallmark cards: the perspective of families who need some extra compassion on this holiday.

Stress

How to Adapt Stress-busting Strategies for Really Tough Problems

Connie Shapiro PhD on April 19, 2011

When life is filled with too much pressure, we either cave or we decide to deal with it. If you're on the "deal with it" team, you may feel apprehensive about how to identify strategies that will work. In today's blog I'll suggest some ways you can gather strength and resources to reduce the stress that threatens to become a way of life.

When life is filled with too much pressure, we either cave or we decide to deal with it. If you're on the "deal with it" team, you may feel apprehensive about how to identify strategies that will work. In today's blog I'll suggest some ways you can gather strength and resources to reduce the stress that threatens to become a way of life.

Stress

Life Happens, But What About the Stress It Generates?

Connie Shapiro PhD on April 12, 2011

We all feel overwhelmed sometimes. For some of us it's occasional, for others it seems like a way of life. What should we do when life is filled with just too much pressure?

We all feel overwhelmed sometimes. For some of us it's occasional, for others it seems like a way of life. What should we do when life is filled with just too much pressure?

Pregnancy

Craving Parenthood: A New Trend on Grey's Anatomy?

Connie Shapiro PhD on April 4, 2011

As I have been watching the ABC medical series Grey's Anatomy recently, I've been struck by how the themes of fertility, unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss are sensitively interwoven through so many episodes.

As I have been watching the ABC medical series Grey's Anatomy recently, I've been struck by how the themes of fertility, unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss are sensitively interwoven through so many episodes.

Infertility

Infertility: Do You Wear A Scarlet Letter?

Connie Shapiro PhD on March 28, 2011

For those of us with infertility, the letter "I" can be a prominent symbol in our lives: sometimes public -- sometimes not. And we have many choices about how to "wear" that symbol in our relationships.

For those of us with infertility, the letter "I" can be a prominent symbol in our lives: sometimes public -- sometimes not. And we have many choices about how to "wear" that symbol in our relationships.

Attention

"Hey, Remember Me?" Getting Your Partner's Attention

Connie Shapiro PhD on March 21, 2011

It can be distressing to feel disconnected with our partner. We began our relationship hoping for a partner who would be responsive to our efforts to connect. What do we make of it when those connections feel frayed?

It can be distressing to feel disconnected with our partner. We began our relationship hoping for a partner who would be responsive to our efforts to connect. What do we make of it when those connections feel frayed?