Resources
Infertility can take an emotional toll that can be incomprehensible to those who have never experienced it. It can affect every aspect of your life – from your daily routine to planning leisure activities to work performance. Its effect on relationships is profound. For many couples, infertility is the first time their marriage has endured problems and spouses may have different views on how to move forward. It can also impact how you interact with your parents, siblings, and friends, as well as your spiritual beliefs and needs.
Some studies have compared the stress of infertility to that experienced by individuals with cancer, AIDS and other complex and/or life-threatening conditions. To most, infertility can be devastating and is a major life crisis.
Face the Challenges of Infertility with Support
Speaking to someone who understands what you are experiencing is very important to many patients. Counseling and mental health services are an essential part of a comprehensive infertility program. Many clients seek support and information concerning the medical and emotional impact of their infertility journey and treatment plans. Psychological services are especially helpful in managing anxiety, depression or marital stress than can arise due to infertility.
CRMI works with several local mental health practitioners who specialize in infertility. We require you see one of them if you are considering egg donation and/or gestational surrogacy as either a recipient, donor, or carrier.
Infertility Support Group
Cardone Reproductive Medicine offers its patients the opportunity to meet informally in an infertility support group. Support groups can be a great way to talk to fellow patients about the common emotional issues you face, learn from each other about how to better cope with the challenges of infertility and find comfort in meeting people who are walking in your shoes.
We meet in our Stoneham office one Tuesday evening per month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Please contact our office if you are interested in learning more about the group.
Here are some resources you might find helpful:
The New England chapter of RESOLVE that provides support, education and advocacy through support groups, educational programs and continued advocacy to strengthen the Massachusetts Infertility Mandate.
A leading source of family building information, support and education based in New York City.
The national headquarters of the country's first infertility awareness and support organization, located in Washington, D.C. It is a community for women and men with infertility and provides information and support during their family building journey.
A national nonprofit dedicated to helping cancer patients facing infertility by providing reproductive information, support and hope.
Brings education and understanding of fertility and adoption issues to the forefront and provides hope as well as financial assistance to those longing to become parents.
The International Council on Fertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) is a nonprofit helping patients explore their family building options. It is able to provide a limited amount of free IVF to those with medical and financial need.
A Web resource provided by EMD Serono, a pharmaceutical manufacturer of several common fertility medications, that offers infertility information in both English and Spanish.
Offers hypnosis services for fertility patients.
Decrease the emotional effects of infertility…reduce stress, anxiety and depression that can result from being unable to conceive……increase fertility.
A great resource on infertility and adoption that broadcasts an award-winning radio show and which has a Website with one of the most extensive collections of information, including a blog, podcasts and videos, on family building.
Circle Surrogacy is one of the oldest egg donation and surrogacy agencies in the world and has been instrumental in 500 births. It is one of the agencies CRMI works with to help intended parents who need surrogacy.
These two agencies comprise one of the largest egg donation and surrogacy agencies in the world: The Fertility Source. They are dedicated to finding the most qualified and committed egg donors and surrogates for hopeful intended parents from around the world.
Merck Engage
Merck Engage is a free, online resource which includes healthy recipes, ideas for getting fit, and practical planning tools for better health.