| When confronted with the possibility of infertility, we | | | | infertility support group meetings. |
| all look for answers. Often, we find only more | | | | Personal Experience |
| questions because of the complexity of the subject - | | | | This always counts the most. If there is someone |
| our body. Knowing the facts and discussing them in a | | | | with a real story that can help you solve a problem |
| friendly atmosphere is what an infertility support | | | | you may be having or enlighten you at some stage |
| group is all about. | | | | of the process, then by all means probe further. Find |
| But before hooking up with any infertility support | | | | out how real the circumstances are. Generally, the |
| group you may want to look into the following items | | | | more questions you ask, the easier it is to determine |
| a bit more carefully. | | | | the accuracy of the couples statements. |
| Convenience | | | | Group dynamics |
| This is the very first thing to look at when | | | | This counts for a good experience. If you age jelling |
| considering joining a group. It should fit into your | | | | with the others in the group then stick with it. There |
| schedule rather than trying to re-arrange your life | | | | may be some disagreements which you can take |
| around the schedules of others. And here is where | | | | with a positive attitude. You can learn more from the |
| you have a choice of going On-line or Local. | | | | negative then from the positive events. Occasionally, |
| If you choose Local, make sure that the size of the | | | | there is the overbearing personality that just wants |
| group is enough to get the full benefit. If you are | | | | to dominate everything. Try to avoid this type of |
| meeting with just two or three other women, then it | | | | group. Generally, when there is an obnoxious person |
| may be in your best interest to either help increase | | | | trying to control the group, the information they |
| the size of the group using your infertility specialist to | | | | bring forth is not necessarily the most accurate. |
| help with other couples in the same situation, or | | | | Remember, empty barrels make the most noise. |
| network with others to find more participants. | | | | Professional expertise |
| Choosing to go On-line has both pros and cons that | | | | Most of the local groups are started by women who |
| may help you decide if this is more convenient for | | | | come from the same infertility specialist. Over time |
| you. The pros, of course, is that there is no set time. | | | | other couples join from other doctor's offices and |
| You can log on to any of the forum websites and | | | | soon the group takes on a life of it's own. The |
| get into a conversation by just signing up. There is no | | | | important thing to remember, however, is that each |
| end to the number of sites that are available. | | | | of the participants has some type of professional to |
| However, the negative part of all this convenience is | | | | help them sort out the facts from fiction. |
| that anyone can say anything they want - whether | | | | Before joining any infertility support group, whether it |
| or not it is true or not. On-line everyone is potentially | | | | is On-line or Local, make sure that you are armed |
| anonymous. | | | | with the most accurate information about the signs, |
| The best alternative is to take what you can from | | | | symptoms and treatments of infertility. |
| the on-line infertility forum and use it at the local | | | | |