For many of us, social media is part of everyday life. We share our thoughts, find inspiration, follow profiles we admire, and stay in touch with people all over the world. This can be especially valuable when it comes to trying to conceive. There are communities where people openly discuss their experiences, and accounts that offer encouragement or simply show you: You’re not alone.
But social media also has another side: When your feed is suddenly filled with ultrasound images and overjoyed expectant mothers, every glance at your smartphone can become an emotional burden—especially if your own dream of having a child hasn’t yet come true.
Why social media can be so triggering when you're trying to conceive
Anyone who wants a child and has been waiting a long time for one becomes much more acutely aware of everything related to the desire to have children. Every pregnancy announcement and every baby photo triggers a reaction. On social media, those affected are particularly exposed to all of this. Algorithms feed us content that shows exactly what we’re missing the most right now.
This is no coincidence. Social media platforms learn what interests us. If you search for topics related to wanting a child, you’ll see more of them. If you “like” or comment on posts about pregnancies, you’ll see even more of them. This quickly creates a feed that feels like it consists solely of baby bump photos, birth stories, and happy families.
For some, this is motivating. For others, it becomes a daily, painful confrontation with their own unfulfilled desire.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media
Social media often shows only the happy moments and successes. Rarely does it reveal how many attempts it took or how difficult the journey was. Those who are going through the process of trying to conceive usually see only the result—the positive news, the ultrasound image, the baby shower, and the adorable baby—and inevitably ask themselves: Why does it work for others but not for me? These thoughts are human, but rarely helpful. Because they’re based on incomplete pictures that often don’t tell the whole story, but only show snapshots.
Social media does have its good sides, though. There are accounts with communities where people talk openly about fears, setbacks, and disappointments, and where you immediately realize: I’m not alone in my unfulfilled desire to have children; here I feel understood and can share my experiences without having to explain myself.
What matters is which profiles you follow and what content you consume. A mindful approach to social media can make the difference between support and feeling overwhelmed.
Be more mindful of your media consumption
If you find that social media is more of a burden than a help when you're trying to conceive, here's what you can do:
- Customize your feed: Mute or unfollow accounts that upset you.
- Approach content with a critical eye: What you see on social media is rarely the whole truth. Don’t let it unsettle you.
- Take intentional breaks: Sometimes it’s good to just not open the app. If you find that difficult, simply delete the app from your smartphone for a few days or weeks.
- Choose your social circle carefully: Follow only people who are honest about their experiences and don’t just show the good side.
Focus on yourself, not on others
Ultimately, it’s about finding your own path—not the one others dictate or the one that looks good on Instagram. It has to be a path that suits you. Social media can play a role in this, but it should never dictate how you feel or what you think about yourself.
Sometimes, however, it helps not to walk this path alone, but to have a place where your feelings, concerns, and questions are in good hands. At the Dr. Loimer Fertility Institute in Linz, we support couples with extensive experience and understanding of the emotional challenges faced during the journey to parenthood. If you have questions or simply want to learn more about your options, we’d be happy to schedule a personal consultation.
April 2026