Fertility Support Organizations
Fertility Support
Our Own Friends & Families Support Group
More on Counseling and Support: When and Where to Find It
Our Own Friends & Families Support Group
Friends is a peer-support program sponsored by the San Diego Fertility Center. An all-volunteer program, Friends are fellow veterans of the infertility experience -- people you can turn to when you just need to talk, someone people who can share practical advice and an insider's view of infertility treatment and resolution.
FIND A FRIEND, BE A FRIEND
Friends can offer suggestions, ideas, and pointers to resources so you can make the best decisions for your family. Just ask us to connect you to a Friend who can help you navigate the course. Our referral network includes individuals who have experience with:
- Diagnostic procedures, including laparoscopy and hysteroscopy
- Male sperm factors, including semen analysis, varicocele, and ICSI
- Ovulation induction
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI) Assisted reproductive technologies including:
- IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI, and assisted hatching
- Egg donation
- Donor sperm
- Surrogacy
- Immunotherapy including IVIG, heparin/aspirin, prednisone
SUPPORT
The San Diego Fertility Center offers ongoing support groups to help couples and individuals:
- Develop coping strategies to deal with the stress of infertility using biofeedback, stress reduction, and vision therapy
- Strengthen their personal relationship with each other during this very painful and difficult life crises
- Make decisions about continuing treatment or choosing another alternative such as adoption or remaining child free
More on Counseling and Support: When and Where to Find It
Infertility is a medical condition that touches all aspects of a person’s life. It affects how you feel about yourself, your relationship with others, and your perspective on life. How you deal with these feelings will depend on your personality and life experiences. Most people can benefit from the support of family, friends, medical caregivers, and professional counselors. The following information will help you decide if you need to seek professional help in managing the emotional stresses associated with infertility.
WHEN DO I NEED TO SEE AN INFERTILITY COUNSELOR?
Consider counseling if you are feeling depressed, anxious, or so preoccupied with your infertility that you feel it is hard to enjoy life. You may also want to consider counseling if you are feeling "stuck" and need to sort out your options and alternatives. Please see our list of counselors, who are offering infertility counseling. Signs that you might benefit from counseling appear in combination and may include
- persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness
- loss of interest in usual activities and relationships
- agitation and anxiety
- constant preoccupation with infertility
- difficulty concentrating and remembering
- a change in appetite, weight, or sleep patterns
- increased use of alcohol or drugs
- thoughts about suicide or death
- social isolation
- depression
- increased mood swings
- marital discord
- confusion in treatment options
- considering third-party reproduction (donor egg, donor sperm, donor embryos, surrogacy)
WHERE CAN I GET SUPPORT?
Support can come from many different areas. Books can offer information and understanding about the emotional aspects of infertility. Support groups and meetings can reduce the feeling of isolation and provide an opportunity to learn from others who are experiencing infertility. Individual and couple counseling offers the chance to talk with an experienced professional who will help sort out your feelings, identify coping mechanisms, and help you find solutions to your problems. Discussions with family members and friends are also options.
Last updated:
November 30, 2007
Authors: Dr. William Hummel and Dr. Michael Kettel