Infertility Groups

Do Infertility Support Groups Help?

By now you have learned that infertility is not an isolated incident brought upon by unknown forces. True, there are consequences to the foods we consume and the libations we drink, but there are many other factors that contribute to infertility in couples. It doesn’t matter if the inability for a couple to conceive lies with the biology of the man or the woman either, the problem exists for both.

To cope with the psychology of infertility does require some outside help in some cases. After your doctor uncovers the chemical or anatomical reasons, if any, for your infertility, he or she will undoubtedly give you options. But generally not in the form of group support. That is something to consider to help understand the many variables that your doctor rarely has the time to explain.

Group therapy relies on the concept that there is safety in numbers. The common problem for the group is generally something that is very difficult to overcome and requires wisdom and support only found in the common experience. As an example, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) was formed on this simple principle – only people with the same problem can truly understand the emotional and psychological aspects of the problem. And so it is true with infertility groups. The participants support and help each other so that no one couple is left feeling that their inability to have children is unique.

In addition, many groups offer opinions of treatments, which although are not scientific, do give another point of view that can help in discovering perhaps a new technique. Just knowing what everyone else with the similar difficulties related to conception is doing give a couple confidence to try other methods or confirm those that are not beneficial.

Finding groups are generally an easy task to accomplish, particularly when your doctor or nurse is involved. They often know contacts in the area which give the opportunity to join in the discussions. Most infertility groups meet on an informal yet regular basis. Discussions cover a wide variety of topics including IVF, PCOS, miscarriages, clinics, morning sickness, diet etc. At times it seems a bit overwhelming until you realize that the entire group is concentrated with similar circumstances. What you learn and contribute to the group will help ease the frustration and emotional impact of trying to get pregnant and not succeeding.

Of course, if you are located in a rural area that does not have the population to sustain an infertility group, then the alternative is to go online for the forums that often pose questions that remain in the forum for a very long time. Sometimes the questions get answered, sometimes they do not. If you need immediate answers to a particular question from the forum, a moderator may help you out, but generally, the answers to infertility inquiries are left up to the members of the forum.

An internet forum is not the same as a live group therapy discussion. You don’t know who you are dealing with in an online forum. There is no face-to-face contact and no way for you to judge the sincerity or motivation, but it is a start when all else fails.

Finding as much information about infertility treatments before going to an infertility group discussion will aid greatly in determining the facts of a particular method from the hype that goes with individual enthusiasm.