Support
Patient Empowerment
through education and understanding is a cornerstone to our mission. We have assembled these educational and support resources. We will be updating this section as we discover new sources of information which we feel are beneficial to your understanding of infertility. Please feel free to make suggestions if you know of resources that would be appropriate for inclusion. CNY Fertility Center in conjunction with CNY Healing Arts offers many forms of support to our clients. Below is a list of just a few of the support options that we offer.
Fertile Friendships One-On-One Program
Fertile Friends pairs patients together based on their experiences with infertility. This program has been created because many patients have said that friends and family who have been their support system for other life issues, just can’t compare to the understanding and support provided by another person who is going through the same struggle to conceive.
Click here to learn more, or to sign up and participate in the Fertile Friends Program.
PCOS Support Group
We are happy to offer you a monthly structured PCOS support group. Meetings are held at the CNY Fertility Center in Syracuse, NY. The facilitator of the group is Meg Marnell, NP (mmarnell@cnyfertility.com).
Click on the CNY Healing Arts Calendar to view our next meeting.
We frequently have guest speakers attend our monthly meetings to speak to your needs and questions on PCOS. In September 2008 Heathery Neely, RD spoke about PCOS and Nutrition - watch the video here. In October 2008 Heather Smith, NY State licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist joined the monthly meeting as a guest speaker.
Below is a short video where Meg Marnell introduces herself and speaks about the PCOS group.
Peer Support Group
Circle of Hope is a peer support group for CNY Fertility patients who are having difficulty coping with the realities of infertility, pregnancy loss and treatments. This is an autonomous group which was created and run by former patients and is a forum for patients to find support from others in the same situation. As a member of this group you can ask questions about treatments, discuss how to emotionally cope with infertility, and learn about different paths to parenthood.
There are monthly meetings for our Syracuse group and Albany group. To learn more about our Circle of Hope Groups click here. To check our calendar for upcoming meeting times click here. If you live near the Syracuse area and would like additional information, email Meg, the coordinator, at mmarnell@cnyfertility.com. Or if you live near the Albany area and would like additional information, email Stacey, the coordinator, at sdicerbo@cnyfertility.com.
Information Nights
We hold regular information nights to take the mystery out of a broad range of topics. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our doctors, nurses, laboratory staff, insurance staff, CNY Healing Arts staff and other guests from the community. For more on this topic click here.
Support Counselors
Counseling, whether it be in a group format or on a one-to-one basis, may help you with the issues that surround infertility. If you would like more information click here.
We have many more support services available, to view them all visit our CNY Healing Arts website.
In October of 2008 we began a unique workshop and coaching opportunity with Kristen Magnacca. Kristen comes to Syracuse and presents one of her Love & Infertility Workshops once a month and then is available from her location (Cape Cod, MA) via e-mail and telephone to coach people in between the workshops. Dr. Rob has graciously hosted these workshops as well as the coaching. Read more about Kristen Magnacca, watch some of the video clips from the workshops by clicking here.
Endicott NY Support Group
Coping With Infertility? You Are Not Alone …
Please join this Peer Support Group, they have been offering help and support for over twenty years in the Endicott, NY area.
Where: First United Methodist Church of Endicott (corner of Mc Kinley and Monroe Streets)
When: Every third Thursday of the month
Time: 7:00 PM
Multiple Moms Mingle MessageBoard
This group is for mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Please join us!
To mingle with other Moms of multiples online, click here. Or to visit the website and learn more click here.
Twins and Triplets Mothers’ Group MessageBoard
This is a Central New York group of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. The group was established in 1957. If you would like to join the group online click here.
Glossary of Fertility Terms
For a complete glossary of common terms you will encounter on your fertility journey, click here.
Web Links to Useful Sites
The Internet can be a very useful tool for self-education. However, there are many sites which may contain inaccurate, misleading and sometimes distressing information. Caution must be used when utilizing the Internet for medical information. Use only authoritative resources publishing by industry-recognized organizations. If you venture into chat rooms or bulletin boards, make sure they are moderated by impartial, knowledgeable experts. We have assembled this list of sites which we feel meet this criteria.
The Endometriosis Center at Binghamton
The Endometriosis Center at Binghamton Gynecology is a satellite IVF office of the CNY Fertility Center. Serving the Southern Tier and beyond, Dr. James Kondrup and his staff have become a regional leader in gynecologic care and fertility treatments.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is an organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine and biology. Established in 1944, the Society has since achieved national and international recognition as the foremost organization promoting the study of reproduction and reproductive disorders. The ASRM is a voluntary non-profit organization. Members must demonstrate the high ethical principles of the medical profession, evince an interest in reproductive medicine and biology, and adhere to the objectives of the Society. The national administrative office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, with a government/public relations office in Washington, DC. Services are offered to patients, health professionals and media professionals (information, press releases, policy statements, etc.). Literature is available from the ASRM.
RESOLVE
RESOLVE is a national non-profit organization that, for more than 20 years, has assisted people in resolving their infertility by providing information, support, and advocacy. Founded in 1974 by Barbara Eck Menning, a nurse, RESOLVE has grown from a small kitchen operation to a national organization. RESOLVE has a database of more than 40,000 individuals and providers, more than 50 chapters nationwide, and a national paid staff of 17 that provides services and programs for individuals experiencing infertility. RESOLVE is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board. The board includes individuals who have experienced medical concerns regarding infertility, and who have adopted children. It also includes members of the professional community — nurses, lawyers, CPA’s, and business people. All are committed to providing services of the highest quality for members and the general public. RESOLVE advocates on the national and local level for comprehensive insurance coverage for infertility treatment and other family-building issues of concern. In principle and in practice, RESOLVE values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barrier to full participation in this organization.
The American Fertility Association
www.theafa.org
The mission of The American Fertility Association is to serve as a lifetime resource for men and women needing reproductive information and support and to forward the causes of adoption and reproductive health through advocacy, education, awareness building and research funding.
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. Their mission is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCID)
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID—pronounced “inside”) is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and couples explore their family-building options. INCIID provides current information and immediate support regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infertility and pregnancy loss, and offers guidance to those considering adoption or child free lifestyles.
IVF Connections
This web site was created by a woman while going through IVF herself. It has bulletin boards that are enabled, a chat room, and links and resources to other informational sites that are available to those suffering from infertility.
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Founded in 1974 by adoptive parents, the North American Council on Adoptable Children is committed to meeting the needs of waiting children and the families who adopt them. Since its inception, NACAC’s mission has remained essentially unchanged:Every child has the right to a permanent family. The Council advocates the right of every child to a permanent, continuous, nurturing and culturally sensitive family.
Click here to get your FREE issue of Adoptive Families magazine, the leading information source for families before, during and after adoption.
Centering Corporation
The Centering Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and resources for the bereaved. Centering was founded in 1977 by Joy and Dr. Marvin Johnson. This web site offers books and pamphlets on how coping with loss, including miscarriage, infant loss and loss of children.
NY Hope for Bereaved, Inc.
Located in Syracuse, NY. HOPE FOR BEREAVED, Inc., founded in 1978, is an independent, not-for-profit community organization dedicated to providing hope, support and services for the bereaved. Families, friends and professionals turn to HOPE for training, guidance and resources. HOPE’s services and resources are used locally, nationally and internationally. There is no charge for many of our services. HOPE’s financial support is derived entirely from individual contributions, sale of resources, newsletter subscriptions, grants, and special events. HOPE does not receive annual funding from any source.
New York State Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Inc.
New York State Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Inc. Incorporated in 1975, the Coalition is an organization of concerned citizens and over 140 volunteer adoptive and foster parent groups in every region of New York State. Guided by a belief in the right of every child to a permanent, loving family, the Coalition’s goals are to:
- Improve services available to children at risk of or in out of home care
- Increase citizen involvement in local service planning and delivery
- Require greater public accountability of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, other systems providing out of home care for children, and local agencies
- Represent the citizen’s viewpoint in advocating for improved adoption and foster care services.
The Coalition is concerned primarily with system-change advocacy and individuals taking responsibility for influencing and changing the systems affecting their lives and the lives of their children.
Recommended Books and Fact Sheets:
Frequently asked questions from INCIID
Patient Information Booklets from ASRM
List of Children’s Books related to IVF issues
ASRM’s Children’s bibliography
Resolving Infertility by Resolve and Diane Aronson
Fertility Myths
There are many myths and misleading information surrounding infertility and the treatments. This link helps demystify some of these issues.
Genesis IVF
The Genesis Network of Reproductive Health brings together the top IVF centers throughout the country in one location. www.genesisivf.com