Fertility Information Overload

Good Morning to all! Its Thursday’s with Sharon at Attain® IVF Customer Care and like many businesses we will be closed Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. (Can you believe summer is almost here!!)

Part of what we do as Customer Care specialists at Attain is to listen and offer suggestions on how to organize the “information overload” our callers have gathered over the course of their research and treatment for IVF. Along with appointments, tests and medications, there’s a ton of stuff to read, digest and to try and make sense of. The amount is enormous, the medical and technical terms confusing, and one could create a legal-sized spread sheet to house it all. (And we speak to those who have!) Phew, let’s take a deep breath.

So, let me offer this:

Be Prepared. Keep a notebook/folder with all your information. There’s also a great personal organizer called the IVF Companion. (www.ivfcompanion.com) This is a great way to get a handle on organizing all the information you will receive (and will help to reduce some of the stress, too.)

Be Well Informed. I’ve said it before, knowledge is power. So keep a running list of questions to ask. Review the list before your next appointment and see what question may apply that day. Do your research and stay up-to-date with fertility news by joining online newsletters and e-information groups. A great website for fertility information and family building can be found at www.attainfertility.com. You will find helpful tips on everything from the best foods to eat to fertility treatment costs and financing.

Have Support. Ask for help when you need it. Most Practices are sensitive to the emotional needs of their patients so ask to see if they have a support group or any other additional resources that may be helpful to you. Partners, family and friends can provide wonderful support, too. Be open to whatever is available!

Have a safe and restful Holiday weekend. Until next time, all my best.