Elaine Ritchie

As a healthcare professional I feel ashamed to say that I wasn’t aware of childlessness until I was in that position myself and my grief hit me.

I have held patient’s hands while they are having procedures and asked the “do you have children?” question. I thought I was helping to take their mind off what was being done to them. I didn’t know I was asking a dreaded question at such a vulnerable time.

To all those childless patients that I clumsily asked that question, I am so so sorry. I see you and your pain.