INFERTILITY RESOURCES & LINKS
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine.
RESOLVE is The National Infertility Organization providing nationwide education, advocacy and support. Their website is full of information and resources to help individuals and couples facing infertility.
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID — pronounced “inside”) is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and couples explore their family-building options. Topics include infertility, miscarriage and loss, pregnancy, adoption, parenting and more. Includes links to additional online resources.
Parents Via Egg Donation or PVED, was created to provide an informational and supportive environment where parents and parents-to-be can learn and share information about all facets of the egg donation process.
- Work through fertility problems and treatment as a team. Remember you both want the same thing … a baby!
- Acknowledge each others experience without trying to change it. Be understanding of each other.
- Engage in activities you both enjoy. Schedule a regular date night where you consciously choose not to talk about infertility. Remember that you were a couple before trying to have a baby.
- Identify the ways in which your partner copes with the stress of infertility. Learn to accept these coping mechanisms rather then try to change them. There is not one right way to cope.
- Communicate openly with each other but put reasonable limits on the infertility discussions. Remember many women find it therapeutic to talk — it is a way of relieving stress. Men, on the other hand, often find that talking about an issue produces stress.
- As a couple decide what you do and don’t want to share with your friends and family regarding your struggle with infertility and family building. Infertility is something you do not have control of and this can produce great amounts of stress. It can help you feel that you have some control over the process when you are able to control the information that is given out.
- Acknowledge your feelings. Holding everything inside is not helpful. It actually takes more mental energy to hold your feelings back then to express them. Allow yourself time to feel the sadness, anger and frustration over your current situation.
- Plan things to look forward to. Try not to put your life on hold. Infertility can take over your life if you let it. Fill your time with hobbies and interests outside of infertility.
- Practice Relaxation. Learning how to relax and calm yourself can help when feelings get intense and during treatment. Find a book or look on-line for a relaxation script or CD.
- Consider professional help. Many couples find that individual or couples counseling can help them cope with the emotional stress of infertility.
- Join a support group. Infertility can be isolating and it is very helpful to get with other people going through infertility.
while Dealing with Infertility
