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Education (publications)
Balen A & Jacobs H (1997) Infertility in practice. Churchill Livingstone.
Bradford N (Contributors: DB Chamberlain, G Chamberlain, S Lee) (1998) The miraculous world of your unborn baby. Bramley Books.
Brian K (1998) In pursuit of parenthood: real life experiences of IVF. Bloomsbury.
Chambers R (1999) Fertiliy Problems: a simple guide. Radcliffe Medical Press.
Furse A (1997) The Infertility Companion: a users guide to tests, technology and therapies. Thorsons.
Haynes J & Miller J (eds) (2003)Inconceivable conceptions.
Routledge.
Jequier A and Crich J (1986) Semen analysis. A practical guide. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Lee S (1996) Counselling in male infertility. Blackwell Scientific Press.
McWhinnie A (1996) Families following assisted conception - what do we tell our child. University of Dundee.
Mason M-C (1993) Male infertility - men talking. Routledge.
Neuberg R (1992) So you want to have a baby. Serono.
Snowden R & Snowden E (1993) The gift of a child. University of Exet
Tan SL & Jacobs H (1996) `Infertility: your questions answered. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Winston R (1996) Infertility - a sympathetic approach. Vermilion
Support
Undergoing treatment for infertility may be highly stressful. This in itself is usually no more than a minor irritation, but sometimes stress can affect a person’s lifestyle considerably. For instance, it may cause lethargy, tiredness, anger and even depression, in its most extreme effect. Anyone finding the stress of infertility burdensome will find support of benefit.
In day to day life, we support our friends and family, who in turn support us. With the stresses of infertility, this does not change and usually, this is enough. Sometimes, the issues are considerable and our loved ones may be unable to cope, or sometimes it seems an imposition to ask for more help. This is when support from someone who shares your circumstances (others undergoing, or who have undergone treatment themselves) may help. Through this website, you should be able to find support from other members. The understanding, help and advice from fellow members can make undergoing treatment or coming to terms with infertility more bearable.
Sometimes, professional help is needed. This is called Counseling. Anyone receiving treatment in clinics must be given the opportunity to receive counseling. Counseling provides an opportunity to discuss with an impartial person any issues or implications related to your treatment. Although its availability is prescribed by government, you do not have to accept offers of counseling if you do not feel it would be helpful.
The HFEA Code of Practice sets out the types of counseling that should be available through licensed clinics. These include:
- Implications counseling: to enable the people concerned to understand the implications of the proposed course of action for themselves, for their family and for any children born as a result. This may be particularly relevant for people considering treatment with donated sperm, eggs or embryos. This may also include genetic counseling.
- Support counseling: to give emotional support at times of particular stress, e.g. when there is a failure to achieve pregnancy, and
- Therapeutic counseling which aims to help people cope with the consequences of infertility and treatment and resolve the problems that these may cause. It includes helping people to adjust their expectations and to accept the situation.