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What's Next?

Making Crucial Fertility Decisions

By Teri Brown

Dr. Braverman believes that there is no substitute for spending time talking through the options and their attending feelings and reactions. Seeking out friends and family to be listening resources or to be ones to challenge with questions and concerns is very helpful. "They should consider using a mental health professional who has experience with women who have had fertility problems or have considered adoption," she says. "Remember to use resources like journaling, attending seminars and seeking support groups."

Dr. Laura Reuter, medical director and reproductive endocrinologist for Midwest Fertility Specialists, agrees that making the decision to continue with fertility treatments is very personal and couples should seek expert and group support. "Pursuing assertive fertility treatment is an emotional as well as a physical process," she says. "Attending to the emotional needs of each couple during this sometimes arduous process is vital. Psychological support is available through individual counselors and support groups. Learning strategies for stress management and effective communication techniques can aid a couple in making fully informed decisions and to handle the medical aspects of the procedures."

Want to see more?

• Priced out of Family: Facing the High Cost of Infertility Treatments
• Helping Hands: Groups That Navigate the Infertility Roller Coaster
• Difficult Decisions: Adoption After Infertility
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!