Support groups

In support groups, people are able to connect and get support from other people who are in a similar situation. It is common for women who are going through infertility to feel that their friends don't really understand. Infertility is so private and personal that people often feel they have no one they can talk to about it besides their own partner. Even then, husbands often don't need to talk about infertility as much as women do, so women experiencing infertility may build up anxiety that they feel they can't talk to anyone about it. Women in support groups say it can be helpful to talk and share with others who are having the same experiences.

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Some support groups last for a set period of time; others may be ongoing, so you can continue dropping in for as long as necessary. Often people who start going to an infertility support group continue until they resolve their infertility, either by getting pregnant or deciding to end treatment.

Support groups may be available for people with specialized issues - for example, women who have not had any children yet or those who consider using donor sperm or donor eggs. A pregnancy support group may help with anxiety about finally being pregnant after difficult treatments.