Finding support during fertility treatment

If you’re having difficulty conceiving, it can be very emotionally demanding. Although your first instinct may be to keep the details of your fertility journey to yourself, sharing your progress with others may allow you to:

  • Ease the burden and the stress of navigating treatment on your own
  • Understand your own feelings and concerns, and those of your partner
  • Identify other people you know going through a similar experience

Opening up about your experience with fertility can relieve your emotional burden and help you cope with the situation, so you can feel more supported during your fertility journey.

 

Talk to friends and family

People don’t always know what to say or do when someone they love is experiencing fertility problems. Be clear about what you need—and what you’d rather not hear—so that they can support you in meaningful ways.

  • Set boundaries
    Your partner might not want to share as much as you do. Decide as a couple how much you want to tell people about your fertility journey
  • Plan your responses
    Think about how you’ll respond to questions about treatment. Keep your answers short and sweet if you don’t want to have a long conversation about the subject
  • Adjust your expectations
    Your loved ones want to help, but if they haven’t been through the same experience, they might say something hurtful without meaning to. Be patient, and try to communicate your feelings without assigning blame

Join a support group

It might help to talk to other people on a similar journey. They can answer questions and share their experiences, including tips on how to move forward, suggested reading materials, or recommendations for a fertility counselor if you don’t already have one.

Find a support group near you at Resolve.org

Speak with a fertility counselor

Talking with a fertility counselor, either with or without your partner, can be helpful and reassuring. A counselor can guide you through different treatment choices, assist you with decision-making, and help you communicate with your partner.  It’s also less stressful and time-consuming to make decisions with the help of an objective third party.

Participate in a message board

Fertility message boards are a great place to connect with a community of people going through an experience similar to yours. Here you can ask questions, read about success stories, and gain practical advice on every step of your fertility journey.

Join the GLOW community

Understanding fertility lingo

A quick guide to some of the most common abbreviations that community message board members use to discuss past and present fertility experiences.

See a complete list at Resolve.org

2WW: 2 Week Wait HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy
AF: Aunt Flo, After Flo, Period, or Menstrual Cycle HSC: Hysteroscopy
AI: Artificial/Assisted Insemination HSG: Hysterosalpingogram
ART: Assisted Reproductive Technology HX: History
BA: Baby Aspirin IF: Infertility
BBT: Basal Body Temperature IGTT: Insulin and Glucose Tolerance Test
BCP: Birth Control Pills IUI: Intra-uterine Insemination
BD: Baby Dance (sex) IVF/ET: In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer
Beta: HCG pregnancy test IVF: In Vitro Fertilization
BFN: Big Fat Negative LAP: Laparoscopy
BFP: Big Fat Positive LH: Luteinizing Hormone
B/W, b/w: Bloodwork LMP: Last Menstrual Period (start date)
CB: Cycle Buddy LP: Luteal-Phase:
CD: Cycle Day LPD: Luteal-Phase Defect
CF: Cystic Fibrosis LSP: Low Sperm Count
CM: Cervical Mucus MC, m/c, misc.: Miscarriage
CP: Cervical Position MENTS: Subject Matter May Be Difficult to Read
CVS: Chorionic Villae Sampling MF: Male Factor
D&C: Dilation & Curettage O, OV: Ovulation
D&E: Dilation & Evacuation OB/GYN: Obstetrician/Gynecologist
DE: Donor Eggs OC: Oral Contraceptives
DH: Dear Husband OD: Ovum Donor, Ovulatory Dysfunction
DI: Donor Husband OHSS: Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
DOR: Diminished Ovarian Reserve OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit
DPO: Days Post-Ovulation OPT: Ovulation Predictor Test
DPR: Days Post-Retrieval P4. Prog: Progesterone
DPT: Days Post-Transfer PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
DP3DT: Days Post 3-Day Transfer PCP: Primary Care Physician
DP5DT: Days Post 5-Day Transfer PCT: Post Coital Test
DW: Dear Wife PG: Pregnant
Dx: Diagnosis PGT: Preimplantation Genetic Testing
E2: Estradiol PI: Primary Infertility
ENDO: Endometriosis PID: Pelvic Inflamatory Disease
EPT: Early Pregnancy Test PMS: Pre-menstrual Syndrome
ER: Egg Retrieval POAS: Pee On A Stick
ET: Egg Transfer POF: Premature Ovarian Failure
FBG: Fasting Blood Glucose RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist
FF: Fertility Friend R-hFSH: Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone
FHR: Fetal Heart Rate SA: Semen Analysis
FP: Follicular Phase S/B, s/b: Stillbirth
FM: Fertility Mucus or Fertility Monitor SI: Secondary Infertility
Frostie: Frozen Embryo S/S: Signs/Symptoms
FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone STD: Sexually Transmitted Disease
FTTA: Fertile Thoughts to All TL: Tubal Ligation
GD: Gestational Diabetes TRH: Thyroid Releasing Hormone
GIFT: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
GnRH: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone TTC: Trying To Conceive
GTT: Glucose Tolerance Test TX: Treatment
HCG, hcg: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin UR: Urologist
HMG, hMG: Human Menopausal Gonadotropin US: Ultrasound
HCP: Health Care Practitioner ZIFT: Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer
HPT: Home Pregnancy Test