How to Help: Supporting an Infertile Couple

Most couples are very surprised when they discoverOne thing to remember is that the couple you care
that they may be infertile. This can be an emotionalabout is feeling very much out of control in a lot of
blow to a family. The couple dealing with infertility canways. You can offer constructive support by giving
really be in for a roller coaster ride of drainingthem control whenever possible. Asking how you can
emotional experiences. Seeing someone you love gohelp and putting them in control of dictating your role
through something so complicated can be hard forcan help them feel supported without giving them
family and friends as well. You may feel very sad andthe impression that they need to be saved. If they
helpless when talking with the couple. You may feelwould like for you to stay out of it, then stay out of
like you should offer advice.it. Let them know that you respect that decision and
Keep in mind that you are not an infertility specialistthat you will be there for them if they need you.
and you have no way of knowing what infertilitySupport the decisions that they make as far as
treatment may be best for the ones you love. Betreatments are concerned. Wish them well, but try
careful about finding a lot of information online andnot to speculate on whether certain treatments will
offering it up as a solution to all of their problems.work. Offer as much support as needed without
Many couples experiencing infertility are very deeplygoing overboard and you will be a great asset to the
affected by their problem and may react irrationallystruggling couple.
to suggestions from family and friends. Dealing withPatients of Dr. Eric Daiter have often offered kind
infertility is a very personal journey that couples mustwords about the way that he handles their very
go through together.personal infertility situations. If you are searching for
Remember that the couple is probably having troublea specialist to deal with the infertility treatment of
dealing with their infertility. Men and women reactthe ones you love, you may want to take personal
differently to infertility and some may consider theirtestimonials like the one below into consideration.
partner’s reaction to be the wrong one. This canLet me share some examples of the kind of
really cause the couple to be in an uphill battle withattention Dr. Eric Daiter’s patients receive. While
each other. You offering up solutions is not going tohis main office is in Edison NJ, he maintains a satellite
solve all of their problems. You may only be givingoffice in Ocean Township NJ. The Ocean Township
them more to deal with. This can severely impactoffice is closer to my home. However, given the
relationships, so you should proceed carefully whennature of his practice, timing is everything. Ovulation
offering support and advice.did not always occur when he had office hours in
Do not get discouraged, there are ways that youOcean Township. Dr. Eric Daiter, therefore, arranged
can offer support without causing more harm thanto see me in his Ocean Township office, outside his
good. You can still be a pillar for the couple to leannormal hours, to accommodate my schedule or that
on. You can be supportive without intruding onof my husband. He did this on several occasions.
personal matters. Let the couple come to you withI have had the occasion to call Dr. Eric Daiter’s
information rather than constantly prying for theoffice with questions and concerns. His office staff
scoop. Let them know that you are here if theyhas always been kind and courteous. Surely, this is a
need you, but you understand that this can be apositive reflection on their employer. Further, if he
very personal matter. Be there when they want towas not available to take my call immediately, he
talk. Don’t discount their fears because they cannever failed to promptly return calls, even on
be very real. Being afraid and talking about it to aSaturdays. Additionally, he always spent as much time
third party can be very therapeutic for a couple.as necessary explaining things and answering
Offer perspective whenever possible, but don’tquestions. Neither my husband nor I ever had the
pretend to completely understand, as every situationimpression that he was in a hurry or a rush to move
is different.on to the next patient.