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Infertility Counseling Tips
Finding a Fertility Counselor
If you are a woman under the age of 35 who has been trying to conceive a child for the last year, you may be a candidate for infertility treatment. If you are a woman over the age of 35 who has been trying to conceive a child for the last six (6) months, you are also a good candidate for infertility treatment. But how do you go about finding an Infertility Counselor?
Infertility Counselors are specialists who have received additional training and education in the treatment of infertility. The best sources for referrals to Fertility Counselors include:
your Gynecologist
family and friends who have undergone fertility treatment
your State's Medical Association
your State's Professional Licensing Board or Quality Assurance Board
your local Better Business Bureau
Each of the entities can have specific information about Fertility Specialists in your area who are qualified to address your fertility concerns and provide appropriate treatment. Ask questions, do research and make up your own mind about a fertility clinic and specialist who will assess and treat you.
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Choosing a Infertility Center
Once you have decided to move forward with evaluation and treatment for infertility, your next step is finding an Infertility Center which can meet your unique needs. There are key things you will want to consider when choosing your treatment center, including:
location - if you have to travel a great distance for treatment, this impacts not only the cost of the treatment, but also time lost from work and additional stress of driving or flying, or being away from your spouse or significant other, if one is involved with the process
cost - though different treatment options are going to have different costs, when you compare Infertility Centers, the costs for similar treatment should not be too disparate
availability of on-site Financial Counselors - these professionals assist you in determining the best way to pay for your infertility treatment
reputable and qualified Fertility Specialists - you can check the professional references of the Fertility Specialists at the Infertility Center using the State Professional Licensing Board or Quality Assurance Board, the Better Business Bureau or your State's Medical Association.
psychological assistance available - this service helps you manage the stress associated with infertility and fertility treatment, provides support and provides assistance with couple communication
flexible treatment plans - your life will still go on, despite your fertility treatment, and family reunions, funerals and other life events may require adjustments in your treatment plan
There are many things to include in your evaluation of Infertility Centers, to ensure that you are receiving the care, services and support that you need to achieve a successful outcome.
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Psychological Counseling in Infertility Treatment
In addition to meeting with your Fertility Specialist and Financial Counselor at your Fertility Clinic, you may opt to speak with a Psychological Counselor to help manage the stress associated with infertility and infertility treatment.
Psychological Counselors are healthcare professional specially trained in counseling, and can include, but are not limited to: Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Certified Counselors and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.
Stress can manifest itself in many different ways, and each of the symptoms has an impact not only on you, but also on those around you. Some common stress-related symptoms include:
sleep disturbance
fatigue
depression
anxiety
irritability
mood swings
changed in appetite
decreased tolerance to change
physical illness such as stomach pain, headache and body aches
The benefits of Psychological Counselling include:
Receiving information on the risks and benefits of infertility treatment
Reviewing long term goals of fertility treatment and their impact on our lives
Development of stress management skills to better cope with the emotional response to fertility problems and treatment
Confidential setting to voice fears, concerns and desires related to the fertility treatment
Couples communication to help provide support to each other during this stressful period
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American Society for Reproductive Medicine
For those coping with infertility, finding helpful information, referrals for fertility specialists, Infertility Counselors and Infertility Centers can be daunting.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has a website with many valuable links to publications on Fertility and Sterility to Practice Guidelines. They can provide Patient Fact Sheets and Booklets, information on the success of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and even help you get in contact with Specialty Societies, such as the Genetic Counseling Special Interest Group and the Mental Health Professional Group.
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American Fertility Association
As with any medical condition, in order to make the best choices about treatment, you need to have the most current and accurate information. There are several ways to get this information, including talking to your Gynecologist, calling Fertility Clinics and even the Internet.
The American Fertility Association is a good source of information about infertility. They include a referral guide to Fertility Doctors and Fertility Clinics, as well as a listing of agencies and support groups that can help you get through the infertility maze.
With listings of Support Groups, aids to help you find Fertility Doctors and Clinics in your area, and a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions, the AFA can help you find the information that you need to make good choices about your care.
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Types of Infertility Counseling
The decision to seek infertility treatment is not one to be made impulsively. There are many factors to consider when assessing whether or not fertility treatment is right for you, and which type of fertility treatment is best to meet your individual needs.
Each Fertility Clinic has persons who specialize in counseling on fertility issues and treatment. These specialists are well-trained in fertility treatment and understand the unique position of someone who is looking into fertility care.
There are three (3) different kinds of counseling that you may receive when initiating infertility treatment:
1. Medical counseling
2. Financial counseling
3. Psychological counseling
Medical counseling is usually done by the Fertility Specialist and involves direct treatment aspect of your fertility care.
Financial counseling can help you determine the best way to finance your fertility treatment, especially if you are considering in vitro fertilization - a treatment option that is not usually covered by regular health insurance.
Psychological counseling helps you cope with the emotional roller coaster that can be infertility treatment, in part due to the stress of the situation and to the hormones you may be receiving to assist you with conception.
All three primary types of infertility counseling help to guide you and support you during your infertility treatment, and are provided by a Fertility Clinic to assist in creating the best possible outcome - a new baby.
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Medical Counseling in Fertility Treatment
Each Fertility Clinic employs specialists that help you achieve conception and a successful childbirth. One key member of the fertility team is your Fertility Doctor.
Fertility Doctors have the primary role in counseling you regarding infertility. They will guide your medication assessment to attempt to determine the cause of your infertility, then provide you with important information about which type of fertility treatment would best address your infertility needs. Your Fertility Doctor is a medically-trained physician who has sought additional training and education in the treatment of fertility-related medical problems, and is your first best choice in helping you overcome infertility to have a child.
Counseling that Fertility Doctors provide includes:
information about infertility and its causes
assessment strategies to determine the cause of your infertility
potential treatments for your type of infertility
risks and complications of treatment
self-care information for during the treatment process
alternatives to infertility treatment
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Financial Counseling in Infertility Treatment
Fertility Clinics come staffed with many different types of professionals who each have specific functions as a part of the team, including Fertility Specialists, Nurses, Radiology staff, Lab Techs, Psychological Counselors and Financial Counselors, just to name a few.
After determining that you need infertility treatment, you will meet with a Financial Counselor who will help you figure out the best way to pay for the treatments, for which cost can be considerable. For example, the average cost for one cycle of in vitro fertilization is $12,000; six cycles is $72,000.
Your Financial Counselor can help you look at different financing options, including, but not limited to: personal loans, Shared RiskŪ treatment, lower rate treatments, credit cards or home equity or refinance loans.
