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Spousal Support

The Guys' Guide to In Vitro Fertiliation

By Kelly Burgess

The one thing that Marovitz couldn't seem to overcome was the fear that they would have twins. Looking back, he realizes that it was almost irrational, but it was also very real.

"I couldn't fathom what my life would become if we had twins, and it terrified me to try again, but Deb was even stronger and more determined than she had been the first time," says Marovitz. "One thing that helped was that we had counseling and that's something I recommend. It may be hard for some men to accept outside emotional support like that, but if a man goes into this with a closed mind in the beginning, it will be that much harder for both of them. He has to be able to recognize that at this time more than any other he has to open up his reservoir of feelings, and it will help him and their marriage in the long run."

And then, nine months after their third IVF procedure, they welcomed twins into the world, a boy and a girl. Now, busy with his 14-month-old children, Marovitz marvels that he ever lived without them.

"I was over my fear almost the moment I saw them born and saw that they were perfect," he says. "I can only describe myself as overjoyed. I look forward to seeing them every day and can hardly believe I'm so lucky to be a father of two."

Want to see more?

• Fuzzy Blue Hippo: A Hopeful Dad's Wait for Conception
• Male Factor Infertility
• The Infertility Marketplace: How Success Rates Are Advertised
• Talk about it!