Relationships

by

When it comes to getting pregnant, there are many sex tips out there that supposedly increase your chances of conception. We’ve asked Dr. Ali Gannon to help us bust the most common trying-to-conceive (TTC) sex myths so you can focus your efforts on medically proven tips verified by a fertility specialist. So, let’s get candid – let’s talk about TTC sex.

Medical contribution by Alexandra Gannon, M.D. 

Alexandra Gannon, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). Dr. Gannon earned her medical degree from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. She then completed her residency in OB/GYN at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

1. TTC Sex Frequency

Fertility Myth: Having sex too frequently can hurt male fertility, so slow down the pace.

Physician Fact Checked: It’s the opposite. When it comes to understanding how TTC sex frequency impacts sperm concentrations and motility, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) published guidelines explaining that:

  • Daily ejaculations showed no impact on concentration and motility
  • 2-day abstinence intervals showed no impact on concentration and motility
  • 5-day abstinence interval showed a decline in concentration and motility

Women with regular menstrual cycles can increase their likelihood of conception with a single act of intercourse during the fertile window. Keep in mind, fertile windows aren’t a one-size-fits-all calendar and vary among women.

Try this instead: Rather than focusing on frequency, turn your attention toward pinpointing your fertile window and ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits are a great way to read when you’re ovulating during your fertile window because it detects the luteinizing hormone (LH).

2. Ovulation

Fertility Myth: Women have reached their peak fertility on the 14th day of their cycle.

Physician Fact Checked: Not exactly, because women’s cycles can vary. A general rule of thumb is that your fertile window is 6 days leading up to ovulation. The golden days for getting pregnant are the 2-3 days leading up to ovulation.

Try this instead: Let’s say you have a 28-day cycle: you’re most likely ovulating anywhere from days 14 to 16. Knowing that your fertile window begins 6 days leading up to ovulation, we recommend having sex with your partner starting on as early as day 9 of your cycle, depending on your peak ovulation day. ASRM guidelines tell us that there’s a 9.4% probability of pregnancy from a single act of intercourse on day 12.

3. Sex Positions

Fertility Myth: Sex positions matter, particularly ones that offer deeper penetration.

Physician Fact Checked: Not exactly. Any position where sperm dispenses into the vagina is a great position. There’s no conclusive evidence at this time pointing toward certain positions being better than others when TTC. Sperm can reach the cervical canal mere seconds following ejaculation regardless of position.

Try this instead: When you have baby-making on the mind, it’s better to stick to positions that are within your comfort zone rather than running the risk of TTC sex fatigue.

Schedule Appointment

4. Post-Sex Wind Downs

Fertility Myth: Laying down or holding in your pee after sex will help you get pregnant faster.

Physician Fact Checked: Please, get up and go pee after intercourse – do whatever it is you need to do because there is no scientific evidence to support that laying down or holding in your urine increases your chances of getting pregnant.

After the male partner ejaculates into the cervix, it only takes minutes for sperm to reach the Fallopian tubes. Sperm are fast swimmers, and they can survive in a woman’s uterus for up to 5 days. Meanwhile, an egg can only become fertilized between 12 to 24 hours after being released from the ovary.

Try this instead: Timing is quite literally a science, so make sure you calculate your fertile window accurately.

5. Lubricants

Fertility Myth: You need a “fertility friendly” lubricant to get pregnant.

Physician Fact Checked: For complete and full disclosure, you don’t need a “fertility friendly” lubricant to get pregnant. Let’s get real, vaginal dryness is a real thing and sometimes sex is painful. So rather than putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation, let lubricants be your friend.

Try this instead: If you need to use a lubricant, “fertility friendly” lubricants containing hydroxyethyl cellulose are a smart option, but they’re not your only option. You can also reach for the mineral or canola-based lubricants. Check with your fertility specialist about recommended water-based lubricants.

6. Female Orgasms

Fertility Myth: Having a female orgasm increases your odds of getting pregnant.

Physician Fact Checked: If you experience a female orgasm during TTC sex, more power to you, but it won’t help you get pregnant faster. Although female orgasm may promote sperm transport, there is no known relationship between orgasm and fertility.

Try this instead: Keep an eye out for cervical mucus (or discharge) that appears when you and your partner are in the groove or anticipating ovulation. The probability of conception is highest when slippery, clear discharge is present. A study found that pregnancy rates were highest (roughly 38%) when sex happened on these peak mucus days.

7. Feeling Pregnant Shortly After Sex

Fertility Myth: You may be able to “feel pregnant” shortly after having sex.

Physician Fact Checked: It can take several days after sex for fertilization and implantation to occur. Spotting and increased discharge after sex is perfectly normal but they don’t indicate pregnancy. It can take up to 6 days following intercourse for the sperm and egg to combine and create a fertilized egg. Add on an additional 3 to 4 days for the fertilized egg to successfully implant within the uterine lining.

Try this instead: Implantation of the fertilized egg along the uterine lining typically occurs anywhere from 6 to 12 days after sex. Keep an eye out for any pregnancy symptoms like spotting or cramping after then. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t experience symptoms very early on – that’s perfectly normal, too.

8. TTC When You’re Age 35+

Fertility Myth: Women who are age 35 and older need to switch up their approach to sex to better their chances of conception.

Physician Fact Checked: This is not true. How you have sex at any age will not affect your pregnancy outcomes. One of the biggest factors that indicate fertility is the number of eggs in a woman’s ovarian reserve at any given age. The number and quality of eggs in a woman’s ovarian reserve slowly declines with age, with a steeper decline beginning around age 35. This combination of reduced egg quality and decreased ovarian reserve is why the rate of conception lowers over time.

Try this instead: Because age is such a critical fertility factor, it’s important to act fast. Testing your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels will provide insight into your current ovarian reserve. While these basic fertility tests reveal egg counts, they can’t assess egg quality. Egg quality is largely a reflection of age.

9. Family History

Fertility Myth: Both my parents come from large families, so I should be able to get pregnant easily.

Physician Fact Checked: Genetics certainly play a part, but there’s more to it. This rate of change in a woman’s ovarian reserve is partially predetermined by genetics. Women with a family medical history of early menopause have a higher chance to begin the fertility decline at a younger age.

Try this instead: If you’re having trouble with conceiving, be your biggest advocate and seek help. Being proactive about your fertility and family planning will help you save valuable time and energy in the long run.

10. Seeking Help

Fertility Myth: You just need to relax, and pregnancy will come.

Physician Fact Checked: You are most in tune with your body, and if you feel like something is wrong, you have nothing to lose with seeking help.

Try this instead: A fertility specialist will assume infertility is present when a woman is:

  • Under 35 with regular cycles, unprotected intercourse and no pregnancy after 1 year
  • 35 to 39 with regular cycles, unprotected intercourse and no pregnancy after 6 months
  • 40 or over with regular cycles, unprotected intercourse and no pregnancy, more immediate evaluation and treatment are warranted

There are other factors that play into infertility like preexisting conditions or male-factor infertility. But just know that you are not alone – 1 in 6 couples struggle with infertility. If you think it’s taking longer than it should to become pregnant, schedule an appointment with one of our fertility specialists by completing this brief form or calling 1-888-761-1967.

Schedule Appointment

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of January 2023.

by

Facing the challenge of infertility can be a stressful time for couples, but it does not have to be a strain on your relationship. Working together as partners can help you form a strong bond and allow you to move through the infertility journey as a team. It’s important to find ways to support your partner so you can recognize their feelings and needs.  

Four ways to support your partner during infertility: 

  1. Ask your partner how you can help decrease their stress.  
    • It is important to note that stress is likely not causing infertility, but it can be helpful to have coping mechanisms in place to reduce stress throughout the journey. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) offers a Stress and Infertility Fact Sheet. Listen to your partner’s guidance on how you can help your partner reduce stress and follow through with their requests.    
  2. Have open and honest conversations about treatment plans.  
    • When a treatment plan changes or doesn’t go as planned, be ready to discuss preferred next steps with your partner. Check in on how your partner is feeling about these adjustments. Learning more about treatment options can be a great place to start in supporting your partner. SGF provides a stepped-care approach to treatment and provides support throughout the process.  
  3. Plan fun activities together.  
    • Don’t forget to prioritize spending quality time together. Since dealing with infertility can feel like a full-time job, it is important to take time off by consciously making time for each other. Have regular dates where you can have fun and take a break from infertility. Do some of your favorite activities like taking a long walk, enjoying a good meal, or watching a favorite movie or show. SGF’s psychosocial team offers some ways to enhance your relationship during infertility.  
  4. Encourage your partner to join a support group or seek counseling and join them, too, if helpful. 
    • SGF offers patients a wide range of support services, including support groups, online communities, and resourceful articles. SGF is proud to have an in-house team for psychological support and can recommend other preferred partners. Attending one of our support groups is a highly effective way for you and your partner to learn different techniques for managing the stress of treatment in a supportive and open environment. 

Nurturing your partner throughout fertility treatment can ease the bumps and inevitable stresses of the journey. When you and your partner feel supported and heard, you will both be better prepared to handle obstacles that might come your way.  

Find a support group near you. 

Contributed by:
Mia Joelsson, LCSW-C

Mrs. Joelsson is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. She has a special interest in working with individuals and couples facing reproductive challenges of infertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and postpartum adjustment. She sees clients virtually and in her Gaithersburg, MD office.  Mrs. Joelsson is passionate about helping infertility graduates who are adapting to the new realities of pregnancy and parenting after struggling with infertility. She leads the virtual miscarriage support group that SGF offers.  

Schedule Appointment

To learn more about how to support your partner during infertility or to schedule an appointment, please call our New Patient Liaisons at 1-877-971-7755 or click here. 

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for content accuracy and comprehensiveness as of July 2022.

by

When you are first trying to have a baby, sex can be fun. However, when it takes longer than expected, sex can start feeling stressful, and sexual issues during infertility can arise. When sex becomes baby-making and not a way to express intimacy and closeness within a relationship, it can lose its enjoyment. 

SGF physician, Melanie Ochalski, M.D., who sees patients at SGF’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania, office, answers questions about having sex when you are trying to conceive (TTC).  

Is sex less enjoyable for couples trying to conceive?

We asked our patients at Shady Grove Fertility this very question! In our survey, 13 percent of respondents said sex was MORE enjoyable when they were trying to conceive. These respondents cited that it was wonderful to know they were trying to build their families. 

A greater number of patients, 44 percent of respondents, said that while it was more enjoyable at first, that feeling did fade. “For us, it was such an exciting feeling to know that this one time could make the baby that we have always wanted. But as the months went on without a positive result, there began to be more pressure and less romance as we started to time our intercourse with ovulation predictor kits,” says one anonymous Shady Grove Fertility Facebook community member. 

The remaining 43 percent of respondents said that sex was less enjoyable while trying to conceive because it began to feel like a chore.  

How often should I have sex if I’m trying to conceive?

The average American has sex just a little more than once per week. For couples trying to conceive, this sexual frequency has a high likelihood of missing the fertile window. 

The fertile window includes the 6 days leading up to and ending on the day of ovulation. Sperm can live in the female body for several days and the egg survives for approximately 24 hours after ovulation. Therefore, to optimize chances of pregnancy, it is recommended to have intercourse every 24 to 48 hours during the days leading up to ovulation.

How to determine your fertile window 

For women with a regular cycle, ovulation typically will occur 14 days before the start of your next period. 

For women with irregular and less predictable cycles, they may not be able to determine when ovulation will occur. Ovulation predictor kits can be used at home to detect rises in luteinizing hormone (LH), which is an indicator of ovulation. 

At Shady Grove Fertility, patients have LH levels measured during their day 3 testing, and patients are often given medication, such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid), which helps induce ovulation. 

When to seek help from a fertility specialist if you’re struggling to conceive 

A fertile woman in her 30s only has about a 15 percent chance of conception each month, so often pregnancy does not occur right away and a few months of trying is completely normal. Approximately 40 percent of fertile couples will conceive within 3 months of trying, and 70 percent of fertile couples will conceive within 6 months. 

For women under 35 years old who have been having unprotected intercourse for a year or more without a successful pregnancy, I recommend speaking with a fertility specialist. For women between the ages of 35 to 39 years, I recommended speaking with a fertility specialist after 6 months. For women 40 or older, it is recommended to speak with a fertility specialist right away. 

Medical contribution by Melanie Ochalski, M.D.

Melanie Ochalski, M.D. is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Ochalski has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and review articles in many leading scientific journals, and has been invited to present at national meetings. She sees patients at SGF’s Lancaster and York, PA offices.

Schedule Appointment

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2017, and has been updated for content accuracy and comprehensiveness as of July 2022.

by

When Dr. Cassandra Roeca is asked by patients whether they can have sex during fertility treatment, her answer to them is simple: “Listen to your body.”

doctor cassandra roeca shady grove fertility colorado
Medical contribution by Cassandra Roeca, M.D.

Cassandra Roeca, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Roeca is passionate about fertility preservation in patients with cancer or medical diagnoses that place them at risk of infertility. She sees patients at SGF’s Denver, Colorado office.

“It is usually safe to have sexual intercourse during ovarian stimulation, but many women who are using injectable medication for IUI or IVF may experience enlarged ovaries, which might make intercourse uncomfortable. With enlarged ovaries and during IVF there may be increased risk for ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy, and there are several instances where intercourse and ejaculation are not recommended to increases the chances of success,” explains Dr. Roeca.

Having a semen analysis? Abstain for optimal sample

Generally, a semen sample is collected for one of two reason: to test the semen quality or to be prepared and used in an insemination when undergoing either IUI, IVF or donor egg treatment. When the male partner is asked to produce a sample for a semen analysis, Dr. Roeca recommends that the man abstain from any form of ejaculation for the two to five days prior to ensure a complete and reliable sample. She goes on to explain, “There can be some negative effects to abstaining for longer periods than the recommended time. Some patients go overboard and abstain for a lot longer than five days because they’re thinking it will result in a build-up of new sperm cells. The truth is that too much time between ejaculations is actually counterproductive.”

With the exception of cycles calling for timed intercourse or donor sperm, all treatment plans, including IUI, IVF, or donor egg treatment, will require the collection of a semen sample to be used for insemination. It is suggested to abstain from ejaculation the day prior to the insemination. If the couple has intercourse too soon, then the volume of ejaculate and the sperm counts may be compromised, leading to a suboptimal sample for the IUI, but more on that to come.

Sex during monitored Clomid cycle with timed intercourse

One of the most basic forms of treatment offered at Shady Grove Fertility is a monitored Clomid cycle with timed intercourse. During this treatment the female patient takes an oral medication called Clomid aimed to induce ovulation. The cycle is monitored to ensure that a follicle develops and is released from the ovaries through ovulation. Once ovulation occurs the couple is instructed to have intercourse at home. Dr. Roeca says, “During any cycle it is not unusual to experience some minor bleeding as a result of intercourse due to the highly vascular tissues of the female reproductive system.” This change in the female’s reproductive system is a result of hormonal stimulation and high estrogen levels caused by the production of multiple follicles. She goes on to explain, “If a patient experiences pain with the bleeding, we would recommend refraining from intercourse.” Patients should discuss with their physician if bleeding with intercourse persists.

Sex during intrauterine insemination (IUI)

If a couple is undergoing IUI treatment, there are generally few restrictions when it comes to intercourse. The only instance where intercourse is strongly discouraged is the day following the “trigger shot.” The trigger shot allows eggs to reach final maturity and then be ovulated into the fallopian tubes. We generally encourage couples to have intercourse the night of the trigger shot. This ensures a supply of sperm in the fallopian tubes to meet the egg upon ovulation.

Abstinence from intercourse or ejaculation is suggested on the day between the trigger shot and the IUI or the day of the trigger shot if the IUI is planned for the next day. This break allows the sperm count to reaccumulate in order to produce a good sample for the IUI, which is usually scheduled approximately 36 hours after the trigger shot is given.

Intercourse is, however, suggested the evening following the IUI. Dr. Roeca says, “This not only provides the couple time to be intimate, but it also may help increase the chances of fertilization by adding to the sperm that had been introduced during the insemination.” Again, refraining from intercourse is suggested if the patient experiences pain during sex.

During some medicated IUI cycles, the female partner may produce too many follicles creating a concern that she potentially may ovulate too many eggs. This would place the couple at too great of a risk for a multiple pregnancy or higher order multiple pregnancy (triplets or higher) which is an unacceptable risk due to the complications to both mother and babies. When this occurs, the cycle is stopped and patients are asked to abstain from intercourse.

To watch our On-Demand Webinar on Low-Tech, click here. During this free, on-demand event, viewers will learn more about who is a good candidate for low-tech treatment, how ovulation induction (OI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) work, and the success rates associated with these treatment options.

Sex during in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Sex during the early stimulation phase of an IVF cycle is acceptable as long as the couple is using a form of barrier contraceptive, such as a condom. In the event ovulation was to occur unexpectedly, especially from multiple follicles, we want to avoid the possibility of multiple pregnancy.

Later in stimulation the ovaries may start to significantly enlarge due to the growth of many follicles. “As patients get closer, we tell them to avoid intercourse because the ovaries are very enlarged and cystic and we are concerned that intercourse could lead to rupture of a cyst on the enlarged ovaries or a twisting of the ovary on its blood supply, called ovarian torsion. This is extremely rare but abstaining from sex can help to avoid these types of complications,” explains Dr. Roeca.

Sex during post embryo transfer: IVF, FET, and donor egg treatment

Intercourse is discouraged following an embryo transfer during an IVF, FET, or donor egg cycle. This “pelvic rest” is recommended anywhere from five to seven days after transfer – when a pregnancy test can be reliably administered. This rest gives the embryo optimal time to implant into the uterine wall. Most IVF patients can resume normal sexual activity a week or two after their embryo transfer, but always check with your doctor or nurse prior.

Encouraging intimacy during treatment: what does intimacy really mean?

We often associate intimacy with sex, and while sex can be a way to achieve intimacy, it is not the only way. Rather, intimacy creates a sense of closeness, togetherness, and an emotional connection. People often express and receive intimacy in different ways. For couples, intimacy can encompass many different actions and moments, built over time through work and open discussion.

Whether through words or actions, intimacy involves a level of love, appreciation, and communication between partners. Sex, love, and intimacy are three different terms, and each can be expressed in different ways. How people connect goes beyond gender and becomes about personality.

Dr. Roeca heartily encourages patients not to lose sight of their relationship’s need for intimacy during fertility treatment. She adds that intercourse is a normal part of a couple’s relationship and that you shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk with your physician about having sex during a fertility treatment cycle.

“It’s stressful enough to go through infertility and then make the choice to enter treatment. I don’t want my patients to totally sacrifice their relationship,” she says. “I tell them that they should not lose sight of the need to focus on their relationship and their lives—it’s easy to lose sight of everything in your life and let this consume your every thought. Many marriages and relationships can suffer—maintaining intimacy and communication is key.”

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2015 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of August 2021.

Schedule an Appointment

Shady Grove Fertility’s team of dedicated New Patient Liaisons are available to answer your questions and schedule a consultation with a physician.Call 877-971-7755 or click to schedule an appointment.

References:
Hatfield, E., & Rapson, R. L. (1994). Love and intimacy. Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 2 (pp. 583-592.) New York: Academic Press.

by

Sharon Covington, MSW, LCSW-C

For men, infertility is often a private heartache. So much of the medical experience focuses on a woman and her body, yet a man is 50 percent of the equation. It can be easy for a man to take on a secondary role during infertility, in the background supporting their spouse through the experience. It can also be hard for men to find a way to share what is going on in their heart as they struggle with infertility, especially if it is male factor. Most men will not be talking about it with their buddies in the locker room or over a game of golf. Thus, through the process, a man’s needs and emotions can easily be forgotten or overlooked. Supporting your male partner through infertility is just as important as him finding ways to support you.

Traditionally, men feel and deal with their emotions differently than women. Women will use conversation as means of weaving the fabric of a relationship, while men are interested looking at the end result—cutting  the cloth and making the product. Thus, when an issue is presented, men are often solution focused, searching in a “tool bag” for how to solve a problem.  So while a woman may need to talk to work through her feelings and feel better, her partner may not.

Male Factor Infertility

Another layer is added when infertility is identified as “male factor.”  Men will often struggle with a great deal of guilt, shame, and private anguish, not only for how it makes them feel about themselves (i.e., less of a man, impotent, etc.) but also, what they feel they are putting their wife through (i.e., infertility treatment, sadness, other’s thinking she is “the problem,” etc.) as a consequence. Men may have difficulty acknowledging these painful, shameful feelings, which can be hard for both partners to live with.

A friend once said that asking her husband to talk about a problem or feeling was like asking him to chew ground glass.  She learned quickly that when she saw her husband struggling, she needed to help him in a way that suited him, not her.  While men may have differences in the way they deal with their feelings, they still have feelings, and finding creative ways to support your husband through infertility is important.

Click to watch SGF Reproductive Urologist, Paul Shin, M.D., answer questions about male factor infertility causes and treatments.

Tips for Supporting Your Male Partner through Infertility

Go out and do something.
While talking may help you, doing something physically active may help him.  Arrange an outing with friends, encourage him to go hit some golf or tennis balls, or send him to a happy hour with his buddies.

Figure out what soothes him.
Observe his behaviors when he is distressed and try to help him identify what mellows him.

Take him on a date.
Plan an activity or outing that you know he will love and make it happen without telling him what you are planning.

Go as a couple to one of our support groups.
While men seldom will seek out a support group on their own, many are willing to join their wife or partner in attending a meeting. These groups are a very normalizing experience to the feelings and experiences of infertility, and often help men greatly.

To watch our On-Demand Webinar on Male Fertility, click here. During this free on-demand event, viewers will learn about the simple tests used to evaluate male fertility, common causes of male factor infertility, lifestyle changes that can improve a man’s fertility, effective treatment options and treatment success rates.

Schedule A New Patient Consult

For more information about SGF’s psychological support services, supporting your male partner through infertility, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or fill out this brief form.

About the Author:
Sharon Covington, MSW, LCSW-C, Director of Psychological Support Services at Shady Grove Fertility is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland and a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work with over 40 years of experience as a psychotherapist. An internationally recognized leader on the psychological aspects of reproductive health, Mrs. Covington is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Associate Investigator in the Intramural Research Program on Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health. She recently edited and authored Fertility Counseling: Clinical guide and Case Studies, and is the co-author and editor of the classic text Infertility Counseling: A Comprehensive handbook of Clinicians.

by

Going through infertility may be the first major life crisis that a couple faces together, and it may be the time when you need each other most. Yet sometimes couples withdraw from each other at a time when they most need support because of problems communicating. Recognizing that you and your spouse need not (and probably cannot) be in the same place emotionally at the same time, or express or cope with your feelings in the same way. In general, women may feel the need to talk more and connect with others, while men may throw themselves into their work with greater intensity. However, just because you cope in different ways does not mean that you can not derive emotional support from each other.
Merle Bombardieri, M.S.W., suggests a technique for couples’ communication called the “Twenty-minute Rule.” If you find you’re needing to talk about infertility a lot of the time, but your spouse gets overwhelmed by this and shuts down, Bombardieri suggests limiting the talk to 20 minutes per day. This way you know you have your spouses undivided attention for that time and he/she knows at the end of it you’ll stop. Knowing that you have a fixed time each day may help free up your energy and thoughts for other things and yet help you feel connected to your spouse emotionally. It’s hard enough feeling isolated at times from the rest of the fertile world, but it can be extremely painful to feel alienated from your spouse when you perhaps need that person the most.
The following articles provide guidelines that you can use in turning to others for emotional support in a way that can leave you feeling back in control:
Importance of Seeking Psychological Support
Talking to Friends and Family
Getting Counseling
Contributed by: 
Patricia Sachs, LCSW-C

2026 Shady Grove Fertility

Also of interest