Pregnancy Loss Support Group (PA, MD, VA, and WV)
2024-12-10 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-18 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-22 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-05-20 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
*For Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia patients only*

It is often difficult for people to understand how profound the loss of a pregnancy can be for a woman or couple, especially if you have been trying hard to conceive. To experience the elation of learning you are pregnant, only to feel the despair of discovering you have lost that pregnancy, is a multifaceted loss. It is the loss of a baby, a part of yourself, your health, control, innocence, potential, relationships with others, the future, and on and on.

A pregnancy loss is challenging enough to experience under the best of circumstances, with the most support and understanding. However, during the pandemic it has been much harder due to social isolation and distancing from family, friends as well as medical caregivers. This virtual support group is being offered for those grieving the loss of a very much wanted baby in these stressful times and is also designed to help with the increased anxiety with trying to conceive and being pregnant again after pregnancy loss. Members are invited to stay in the group all the way through their next pregnancy.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to a HIPAA compliant Zoom meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information or to sign up, please email Mia Joelsson.

General Infertility Support Group (MD, D.C., VA, FL & TX patients)
2024-12-16 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-01-13 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-02-10 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-10 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-14 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-05-12 17:00 - 18:30
*Offered to patients in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Florida and Texas*

Infertility can be a lonely experience and research has shown that support groups can be a highly effective way to cope with the stress and distress of treatment. This virtual group focuses on all types of infertility issues and will help individuals and couples:

Identify and practice ways to cope with infertility

Share new information

Understand about the unique losses of infertility/pregnancy loss

Improve communication with your partner and others

Process decision-making about treatment

Provide support to one another

Decrease the isolation of infertility

The group meets virtually and is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. You will be asked to join an email distribution list for the group. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to the video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled. We can only have a maximum of 20 participants per group so if the group is at maximum capacity, you will be asked if you would like to be on a waiting list to join if a spot opens up.

For more information, please email Carol Miller.

Donor Recipient Support Group (MD, DC, VA, PA patients)
2025-01-14 20:00 - 21:30
**For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients**
Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm or embryo donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.
This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are at a turning point in treatment as no longer able to have a genetic connection to a child. They may be at various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.
The group is FREE for all participants.
Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. You must be a current SGF patient and provide the office you go to and your doctors name. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Zoom video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.
For more information, please email Dr. Laura Covington.

Fertility 101: What to Expect Webinar + Q&A
2025-01-21 12:00 - 13:00
For many couples, it takes longer to conceive than they expected and they aren’t sure what their next step should be and when to take it. The reality is 1 in 6 people experience infertility and may need help conceiving.Join Sally Vitez, M.D. for our live webinar event. Dr. Vitez will review who should see a fertility specialist and the best timing for that first consultation. She will discuss what to expect during the initial physician consult, the 4 simple tests used to diagnose infertility, and exclusive SGF financial programs.Following the presentation, Dr. Vitez will host a live question and answer session with viewers.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We’ll email you a link to view the recorded event + Q&A.

Medical contribution by Sally F. Vitez, M.D.

Dr. Vitez’s is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Her research interests include male fertility, preimplantation genetic testing, the impact of obesity and optimizing fertility treatment outcomes. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Leesburg, VA | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-01-29 18:00 - 19:30
Join fertility specialist, Dr. Naveed Khan at SGF’s Leesburg office as he reviews how infertility affects both men and women, followed by a live Q&A session. Attendees receive a free consult with one of our Leesburg office physicians.*At Shady Grove Fertility, we are fully committed to addressing and supporting all of the needs of our patients. We are committed to providing the most comprehensive, efficient, fiscally responsible, and compassionate care possible, involving both the medical and the emotional aspects of infertility.

Three key things you’ll learn when you register for our free, in-person seminar:

When to seek help from a fertility specialist and what to expect from your initial physician consultation

What to expect from SGF’s initial work-up, including the four simple tests used to diagnose infertility and treatment options for all, including the LGBTQIA+ community

Information about SGF’s exclusive financial programs like the Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Free consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Medical contribution by Naveed Khan, M.D.

Naveed Khan, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Khan has received several awards, including the Outstanding Chief Resident Award and Best Teaching Resident Recognition Award, both from the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, Department of OB/GYN, University of Texas, Houston Medical Center. He sees SGF patients at the Leesburg and Dulles-Aldie, Virginia, offices.

IVF Webinar + Q&A
2025-02-18 12:00 - 13:00
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most successful fertility treatment you can pursue using your own eggs and sperm (or donor specimen). For many, IVF treatment can offer the highest chances of success, with a nearly 50 percent live birth rate for women under the age of 35.

SGF is among the premier IVF centers in the country, and Dr. Joseph Davis, will shed more light on the advanced treatment during the IVF webinar followed by a live Q&A to answer your most pressing questions.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We’ll email you a link to view the recorded event + Q&A.

Three key things you’ll learn when you register for our free IVF webinar:

Common myths about IVF​

The steps involved in an IVF cycle

How to afford IVF treatment with SGF’s exclusive financial programs, including Shared Risk 100% Refund for IVF treatment

Sorry, no medical team available right now!

Singles Family Building Support Group (MD, VA, D.C., FL and TX patients)
2025-03-01 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-03-03 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-04-07 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-04-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-03 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-05-05 17:00 - 18:30 and 3 more dates
**For patients in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida or Texas at the time of group sessions**

This virtual group is for single women who are building their families with the use of a sperm donor, and not with a partner or co-parent. Women come in all stages of the process: those who are contemplating becoming single mothers, those who are in the preliminary testing phase, and those undergoing treatment. Patients who have been in the group while in treatment at Shady Grove may stay through their fertility process.

Women gather to share their experiences and strategies. The process of pursuing treatment to become a parent while single is unique, and this group has a unique way of understanding and supporting one another. There is a sense of community that is built in this virtual room.

Registration is done in a two-step process and you must be a current SGF patient to join. Please email Dr. Miller with your location, name of your SGF doctor and location of your SGF office and she will add you to her email list. She will also send you some forms to complete prior to registering for group. Dr. Miller sends an email call out to all those on her list approximately one week prior to the group session.

The group is FREE for all participants.

The groups have limited numbers of spots.

For more information, please email Carol Miller.

Endometriosis Webinar + Q&A
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
One in 10 women of reproductive age is affected by endometriosis. It’s a condition in which endometrial tissue (tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) grows outside the uterus and eventually sheds into the abdominal cavity. Any degree of endometriosis can have a great impact on fertility, therefore it is important that you see a fertility specialist as soon as you’re diagnosed to discuss pregnancy options.

During the live event, hosted by Dr. Lauren Kendall-Rauchfuss, viewers will learn about the causes and symptoms of endometriosis, and the treatments that are now available to help women conceive. With proper counseling and care, the chances of getting pregnant with endometriosis are high for most women.

After the presentation, Dr. Kendall-Rauchfuss will host a live question and answer session.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We’ll email you a link to view the recorded event + Q&A.

Medical contribution by Lauren Kendall-Rauchfuss, M.D.

Lauren Kendall-Rauchfuss, M.D., FACOG, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she also completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Kendall-Rauchfuss brings her expertise, warmth, and dedication to SGF Orlando, where she is eager to help patients achieve their dreams of building a family.

Fertility 101: Getting Started Webinar + Q&A
2025-03-18 12:00 - 13:00
One in six people experience infertility and may need help conceiving. While many are surprised by this, they certainly are not alone. The good news is there are now treatments available to help almost everyone conceive.

Join Stephanie Beall, M.D., Ph.D., for our Fertility 101 webinar. During this informative presentation, Dr. Beall will review what patients can expect during their first appointment including the fertility evaluation, our stepped approach to treatment, and our unique financial programs.

Following the presentation, Dr. Beall will host a live question and answer session with viewers.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We’ll email you a link to view the recorded event.

Medical contribution by Stephanie Beall, M.D., Ph.D.

Stephanie Beall, M.D., Ph.D., received her medical degree and doctorate in 2006 from Brown University. Dr. Beall has published numerous papers on infertility and has presented research findings and scientific data at national meetings. She sees patients at SGF’s Westminster and Towson, Maryland offices.

Male Fertility Webinar + Q&A | NIAW Fertility Event Series
2025-04-25 12:00 - 13:00
Did you know that 40 to 50 percent of all infertility cases are due to male factor infertility? SGF’s Center for Male Fertility offers an integrated care model involving in-house urologists and reproductive endocrinologists to provide comprehensive male and female infertility services.

Male factor infertility can impact your ability to conceive, and reproductive urologist, Dr. Jessica Marinaro, will discuss how to improve conception outcomes for both partners before, during, and after treatment.

Following the presentation, Dr. Marinaro will host a live Q&A session with viewers.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We will send you a link to the recorded event.

Three key things you’ll learn when you register for our free male fertility webinar:

Causes of male factor infertility

What a semen analysis measures and how to improve sperm quality

Treatment options for male factor infertility and success rates

Medical contribution by Jessica A. Marinaro, M.D.

Jessica A. Marinaro, M.D., is a board-certified urologist with sub-specialty expertise in male infertility and microsurgery. Dr. Marinaro graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, and earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

What is National Infertility Awareness Week® (NIAW)?

NIAW is a yearly initiative founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to encourage people to act as their own infertility advocates and to educate legislators and the public about the impact of infertility.

Visit our events calendar to check out all special events for NIAW – happening April 21 through April 26

Shady Grove Fertility is a proud partner of RESOLVE and dedicated to supporting patients coping with infertility

Menstrual Cycle and Your Fertility Webinar + Q&A
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00
Many women are unaware of what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to their period. A woman’s menstrual cycle can provide valuable insight to her fertility and overall ability to conceive. Most women with an irregular, heavy, painful, or nonexistent period should not wait to see a fertility specialist. Determining if your period is normal or not can be a very informative part of determining if you should see a fertility specialist.

Join Dr. Valerie Libby for our live webinar event to learn more. Dr. Libby will review the basics of menstruation and ovulation, irregular vs. normal cycles, and who should not wait to seek help from a fertility specialist.

Following the presentation, Dr. Libby will host a live question and answer session with viewers.

Can’t attend? Register anyway! We’ll send you a link to view the recorded event + Q&A.

Medical contribution by Valerie Libby, M.D., MPH

Valerie Libby, M.D., MPH, FACOG, earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin Honors Program studying Psychology and Spanish. She then earned a Masters in Global Public Health from George Washington University where she served as a fellow in Kenya for the Global Health Service.

Arlington, VA | In-Person Fertility Seminar
2025-05-29 18:00 - 19:30
If you’re thinking about your fertility options, our free in-person event at SGF’s Arlington office is the perfect opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take the first step with confidence. Led by Dr. Anitha Nair, this interactive session will cover the basics of infertility, treatment options, and what to expect on your journey.

What you’ll gain from this event:

✔️ Key insights into fertility health and when to seek expert guidance

✔️ A step-by-step look at your first consultation – what to expect and how to prepare

✔️ An overview of SGF’s initial fertility work-up, including four essential tests

✔️ Personalized treatment options, including LGBTQIA+ family-building paths

✔️ Exclusive financial programs, like our Shared Risk 100% Refund Program

Exclusive Bonus: Attendees will receive a complimentary physician consultation*, which can be scheduled during the event.

Seats are limited—secure yours today and take the first step toward growing your family with confidence.

*Exclusions may apply for current SGF patients. Free consultation available for seminar attendees. If patient has insurance coverage for consultation, insurance will be billed. Any out-of-pocket or co-pay expenses for consult will be waived.

Medical contribution by Anitha S. Nair, M.D.

Anitha S. Nair, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Nair see SGF patients the Arlington, Virginia office.
