“You should get pregnant - it'll help your endometriosis.”
For many people living with endometriosis, this advice is anything but helpful - and yet it is commonly heard from friends, family, strangers and, more shockingly, medical staff.
In this personal discussion, Julia dismantles the damaging myth that pregnancy can “cure” endometriosis alongside her own experiences of living with what she coins the “holy trinity of infertility”: endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. She talks about her main “beast”, endometriosis, and the impact it has had on her quality of life, delayed diagnosis, her search for a specialist surgeon and the challenges of IVF.
Along the way, she explores why “just get pregnant” can be physically, emotionally and financially demanding - and how the small word just can undermine how difficult that journey can be for those living with endometriosis and infertility.
This is not a medical lecture, but a conversation with a little humour, a lot of honesty and a reminder that nobody experiencing this has to feel quite so alone when we hear those four seemingly simple words: “You should get pregnant.”
DATE: Tuesday 15th September
TIME: 9.00am BST - Find your timezone HERE
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This webinar discusses infertility, endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, IVF, medical treatment and childlessness. Some of these topics may feel heavy or emotionally difficult, so please look after yourself and bring whatever you need to feel comfortable. You are welcome to step away at any point if you need to.
Please note: Whilst the panellists will be recorded, your camera and audio will be turned off. If you are unable to attend the webinar live, you DO NOT need to register to watch the replay. Just subscribe to the World Childless Week YouTube channel and you’ll be notified when new recordings are added.
PANELLIST
Julia O'Reilly - Spain
Julia is English-Irish, a person of the world, living in the sunny south of Spain with her partner and pooch.
An educator by trade and lover of learning, she is a neurospicy enjoyer of travel, nature walks, writing, great books, scummy food, decent coffee and simple pleasures. She is happiest having the chats, bringing people together or disappearing down an internet rabbit hole about life's many questions.
After assuming motherhood was part of her future, Julia is now childless not by choice and navigating the strange, messy space of working out what comes next. She knows becoming a biological mother is no longer possible, but doesn't yet know what that means for her life.
Living with what she calls the “holy trinity of infertility” - endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids - Julia's main passion is endometriosis. She writes about her experiences, supports others navigating diagnosis and treatment, and speaks openly about chronic illness, infertility and grief.
She hopes sharing from the heart can help someone feel less alone.
