Infertility Bloggers, Stand and Be Counted

Congratulations are in order -- YOU are Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2006!

In case this venerable institution's annual picking and choosing of the world's most influential person has passed you by, it's an attempt to reflect those "whose presence reached far beyond any single year, and whose impact we still feel today."

This year it's You. The reason: the way you've made use of the World Wide Web has created "community and collaboration on a scale never seen before."

That fact is evident in the world of infertility. So we thought that now's a fine time to call attention to a few of the many bloggers out there who are sharing their journey via the Internet. While each has their own style (and sometimes, their own group of fans,) all are doing their part, intentionally or not, to bring the experience of infertility out into the open for all to see. From the vantage point of the Web, struggling to have a baby has become a shared story where no one has to venture alone.

a little pregnant

Perhaps the longest-running and, many say, the best of all, Julie at a little pregnant has carried us along for the ride with biting wit and insight since her first IVF cycle, nearly four years ago. Julie's pioneering voice from the wilderness is one that steered not only infertility writing, but the tone and related impact of blogging in general. Her "great big list of blogs I read" is still maintained and has been many a reader's jumping-off point into the World Wide Web of Infertility.

and I wasted all that birth control...

Considered old only in terms of the Internet, Cecily opened up shop at this wittily named blog in early 2004, inspired by Julie and some of the other older-timers. Interestingly enough, she just published a post ("Blogistory") wherein she details why and how it all started for her.

In the Barren Season

Another from way back (2004), Persephone started blogging as a woman practicing Orthodox Judaism and wanting to share the connections she found between her faith and infertility. Her details of pertinent points like timing intercourse and the frequent involvement of faith leaders in the process can make secular infertility seem like a relative cakewalk.

House of Miao

Urbane, poetic, and caustic at times, Cat from Brooklyn pours her soul into succinct text. Fair warning: pictures of her beautiful baby greet readers upon entrance.

Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters

This blog's authors call themselves The Town Criers. A couple of writers who've hurdled infertility and are working on a book, they've also inadvertently assumed the throne as Keepers of the Massive List of Infertility Blogs. In addition to regularly posted commentary and some good ol' 101 info, a consistent "Blog Round Up" keeps readers posted on what else is out there. And all since only the summer of 2006.

There's More...

Most blogs also link to their own favorite reads, so you'll find plenty more reading material from this starter list. Some are tightly connected and even clique-ish while others are still waiting to be found by the masses. Different perspectives on various problematic scenarios, all with the same strong desire to have a baby.