Infertility is a very emotional journey, and one that is rarely anticipated. Even if a couple has been trying for years to have a child, once diagnosed with infertility it throws them into a an entirely different world. Although it is impossible to become informed overnight, if you are considering IVF treatments, the most beneficial thing you can do is find resources that will provide information and support on every level. Here is a quick reference guide on what sort of IVF resources and support you will need and where it might be found.

Information of Fertility Clinic Success Rates
Before choosing a fertility treatment center or fertility specialist, you will want to find out their success rates. One option is simply asking the clinic for that information, which they should be happy to provide. If you are considering more than one clinic or doctor, or clinics in various cities or states, another option is to find the information online. Most of the most recent information is provided through  two sources:

• Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) website. This website provides information on reporting clinics, which accounts for 85% of all clinics. The information is localized, making finding information simple and fast.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. The CDC provides a very comprehensive report on IVF treatment providers in the United States. The report is much more comprehensive than SART’s but comes out less frequently.

Financial Advisors
IVF treatments can be quite costly and more than one set of treatments might be necessary. A financial advisor can help lay out a financial plan so that available finances can be wisely allocated.

Local Support Groups
Local support groups are a great resource for couples going through IVF treatments. Connecting to a group of people that are going through different stages of the same or similar experiences can give a window into the issues that may lay ahead. A support group can also provide information on other IVF resources and treatment alternatives available locally. Additionally, a support group can provide an understanding that others who have not been through infertility cannot. Those who have experienced infertility can give practical advice on how to manage all of the difficult emotions and uncomfortable social situations which may arise. Support groups can be found online, at many hospitals and fertility treatment centers.

Counselors
A counselor can be a wonderful source of support during the IVF treatment process. Infertility is a stressor compared only in magnitude to the death of a loved one. A counselor can help fortify a relationship in a very trying time.

Once a diagnosis of infertility has been given, the most important thing you can do is get proactive. Knowing your options and getting support are things that will not be regretted in the IVF process.

Seeking infertility help is a very personal decision, but delaying that decision can greatly affect the chances of conception. Knowing when to seek help from a fertility specialist is very important if you are trying to conceive. However, that time may vary from couple to couple and recommendations vary from clinic to clinic, making it important to understand the variables.

Not Quite Ready for Infertility Help

Perhaps you have been trying for some time to conceive but not quite ready to seek help. One of the most helpful things you can do is chart your menstrual cycle during this time. By doing this, you can find your most fertile time of the month and increase your chances of conception. It will also be very helpful information to have, should you decide to seek professional infertility help.

Making the Decision

Although recommendations will vary, if you have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for over a year, it may be time to seek the help of a fertility treatment center or fertility specialist.  Because of the advances in reproductive medicine, there are many treatments available that can help in a wide range of circumstances.

Here are some circumstances under which you may want to consider getting infertility help:

• Under 35 and have been trying a year or more
• Between the ages of 35-40 and have been trying unsuccessfully for six months
• Over the age of 40 and already having difficulty
• Have had a history of irregular menstrual cycles
• Have painful or excessively periods
• Have had gynecologic surgery
• Have a history of pelvic infection
• When mother or sisters have also had trouble conceiving
• When there is a known fertility problem in either the man or woman

Choosing a Fertility Specialist

If you have come to the decision to seek the help of a fertility specialist, take some time to do some research and find the support of others who have been through infertility. Getting involved in a local support group can connect you to many valuable resources and help in choosing a reputable fertility center. Different specialists will have different philosophies of treatment, so it is important to find one that matches your own. The decision to seek fertility help is not come to easily in many cases. It is often a deep and personal process that requires time and research.

Most couples never dream that they will need infertility help, and assume that it will be easy to achieve pregnancy. However, pregnancy is not a simple thing and conception in many cases is filled with inexplicable barriers. It is estimated that over 11 million couples in the United States alone are trying to become pregnant.

You are Not Alone

Pregnancy does not always happen as easily as we had planned. In fact, one in six couples has a fertility issue, or trouble carrying a baby to term. Even in couples that do not have any fertility problems the chances of becoming pregnant are only 20% each cycle. Other facts include:

• 2.4 million new cases of infertility in the United States reported every year
• Studies show a significant decrease in fertility starting at age 30
• There are  around 600 reproductive endocrinologists in the United states compared to 28,000 ob/gyn (according to the National Women’s Health Resource Center NWHRC)

Facing Infertility Together

Facing infertility is one of the most stressful things a couple can endure, second only to the death of a loved one. For this reason, it is important to enlist a wide range of infertility help. In order to manage the stress and productively handle the situation, it is important to find the best professional and emotional support available.

Medical Support

It is important to find a fertility specialist that the couple is comfortable with on an individual basis. Many couples find that it is important to choose a fertility treatment center that is close to home so that they each can attend as many appointments together as possible, to support one another through as infertility help is sought.

Emotional Support

For many couples, enlisting the help of counselors experienced in fertility problems is a big part of their infertility help. Staying close and remaining positive are very valuable in reducing stress and maintaining the best chances of conceiving. Family members and religious leaders are also good sources of support. Support groups can also be very helpful in proving information as well as a deep understanding of the emotional turmoil that infertility can cause.

While every couple has trouble along the road, infertility may be the first difficulty of significant magnitude in a relationship. How the couple chooses to handle it can be a huge step in a closer relationship, no matter where the infertility leads.