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The internet has also become a very valuable source of emotional support, and you'll find many online communities of infertile couples, who network with each other, and provide much needed support and practical information. These cyberspace support groups allow you to communicate with dozens of other infertile couples from all over the world! The Internet provides a safe cloak of anonymity, so you never need to reveal your identity. A good example of such a support group, which uses bulletin boards to allow couples to "talk" to each other is at www.fertilethoughts.net. You can post your message online, read about other's problems - and offer advise as well!
Unfortunately, misconceptions about support groups prevent many people from making use of this valuable help. Some are concerned that joining might cause them to dwell even more on the infertility. But the reality is that infertility can pervade every aspect of your life and obsession with getting pregnant will occur whether or not you join a group. Trying to shut out painful feelings will only make them worse.
Others may feel that infertility is too private or personal or traumatic to share with a group of strangers. You may also believe that you should be able to handle this on your own. In truth, infertility is too traumatic not to share with others, and there is nothing wrong or weak about reaching out for help. A support group simply provides a safe, warm supportive environment you need never say a word if you don't want to.
Another reason for not joining a group is concern that it promotes a feeling of futility. The perception may be that a group is only for those who have hit bottom or are without hope. This is far from the truth, and, in fact, many support group members have ended up with successful pregnancies --- thanks to the information they obtained from the support group's library.
It's easy to believe that nothing except a successful pregnancy will make any difference in coping with infertility, but that's not true. Joining a support group may be just what you need to find crucial information or to deal with the devastating feelings that accompany being infertile. Joining may be frightening - but it's well worth the risk. You do not have to struggle alone.
Infertility Friends,
59, Bombay Samachar Marg,
Fort, Mumbai - 400 023.
Voice Mail : 972-1834
Email: malpani@vsnl.com
Website
Resolve, Inc
1310 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144-1731. USA.
Website
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
2140 11th Avenue South
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35205-2800. USA.
Website
Ferre Institute Inc
258 Genesee Street
Suite 302
Utica, NY 13502. USA.
Infertility Federation of Australasia
PO Box 426
Erindale Centre
Wanniassa ACT 2903. Australia.
CHILD - The National Infertility Support Network
Charter House, 3 St Leonards Road
Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1JA. UK.
Website
ISSUE
114 Lichfield Street
Walsall, West Midlands WS1 1SZ. UK.
Website
© Dr. Aniruddha Malpani and Dr. Anjali Malpani www.drmalpani.com
Credits: How to Have a Baby: Overcoming Infertility
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