Why Failed Space Missions Are the Best Metaphor for Your Fertility Journey (And What to Do When Things Go Off Course)

Ever feel like your fertility journey is one giant, unpredictable rocket launch? If you caught the recent news, you probably saw SpaceX’s Starship experience what they cheekily call a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" (translation: it exploded) during its 9th test flight. For a brief, hope-filled moment, the world watched as that super-advanced spacecraft soared—and then, as its fuel leaked and things spun out of control, our collective hearts sank.

Sound familiar? Because if you’re trying to conceive, there’s a good chance you’ve felt the dizzying highs and lows of launching your own “mission.” And maybe—just maybe—you’ve wondered what to do when your plans go up in smoke.

The SpaceX of Trying to Conceive: High Hopes, Wild Rides

Honestly, when I first saw the Starship test flight go off script, my first feeling was empathy. Not just for the engineers and mission control, but for all of us on journeys where success isn’t guaranteed. Because here’s a truth people rarely say out loud about trying to grow your family: for every careful plan, there’s an equal amount of chaos, surprises, and yes—sometimes failures.

But just like the folks at SpaceX, it's not the explosion that defines the mission—it's what you learn and how you launch again.

Mission Control: Where the Unexpected Happens

Let’s get real for a second. If you’re reading FertilityUnlocked, maybe you’ve:

• Perfectly timed your ovulation window… and still seen a negative test.
• Tried every chart, tracker, and tip, only to be blindsided by another "not this cycle" reminder.
• Poured energy into hope, only to have it fizzle when something unexpected happens (timing, health, life itself!).

It can feel like no matter how much you plan, you're always a tiny leak away from your own “unscheduled disassembly.”

But what if these setbacks aren’t failures—just data points? What if, like a scientific mission, every attempt brings you closer to success?

Embracing Failure Like a Rocket Scientist

Here’s my “aha!” moment after watching that Starship clip: SpaceX expects things to blow up sometimes. It’s built into their process. Each setback is transformed into a lesson, a blueprint, a stronger next try. They don’t see disaster as the end, but as one step closer to the goal.

Can we do the same with our fertility journeys?

• Document what went right and wrong. Was it the timing? Was it the method?
• Get curious, not defeated. What can you tweak next time?
• Talk about it! (Hello, you’re here! So am I.)

Building Your DIY “Ground Control”

While we can’t all have a team of rocket engineers on speed dial, we can create a support system and use the best tools at our disposal. That’s where at-home innovations, like those from MakeAMom's resource-rich site, have honestly changed the game for a lot of us.

I learned—maybe the hard way—that the journey isn’t about heroics or suffering in silence. It’s about:

• Finding tools you trust. (Reusable kits like CryoBaby or BabyMaker make things a bit less daunting, especially if you have sensitivities or unique needs.)
• Having privacy and support. Packages arrive without fanfare—no need to explain yourself again at the pharmacy.
• Adapting and iterating. Each try is another chance to learn, tweak, and grow.

From “Unscheduled Disassembly” to Unexpected Insight

What if we could reframe every failed cycle as a mission test—one that teaches us what we’re made of?

Here are a few reminders I’ve picked up after way too many launchpad moments:

1. You’re not alone. There’s a whole launch crew out here, quietly rooting for you.
2. Every attempt matters. And every setback brings an opportunity to improve, even if you can’t see it yet.
3. It’s okay to laugh. Sometimes you need to call it a “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” have a good cry (or giggle), and plan your next liftoff.

Final Approach: What’s Your Next Step?

If SpaceX taught us anything this week, it’s that there’s no such thing as a flawless mission—just another chance to fly again, armed with better data and bigger dreams.

So, what’s your next step? Are you going to try the same method? Switch it up? Or maybe, just maybe, do some research and see what tools—be it reusable insemination kits or a new tracking app—might give you a fresh start? (For real, poke around MakeAMom’s info-packed guides and testimonials—it can be a game-changer.)

Your launchpad is waiting. And if one cycle ends with a bang, just remember: the next attempt could finally take you where you want to go.

Have you ever had a TTC setback that taught you something surprising? Drop your stories below—I’ll bring the snacks, you bring the honesty. Let’s lift each other up, one “mission” at a time.