Secondary Infertility Support

Secondary infertility refers to women who have given birth in the past who is unable to conceive after a year of trying. According to the National infertility Association more then three million women are affected by this.

There is a general feeling that when you are going through secondary infertility that you should just be happy for what you have. You should be grateful that you have been able to carry a successful pregnancy to term in the past. You don't feel that you can confide in friends in the same manner that you would if you never gave birth because you were once fertile at one time.

Even though you have successfully given birth the longing you feel for another child of your own is real. You want, more then anything to be pregnant once again and to bring another child into the world. This is a heartbreaking situation, made worse by the fact that as you are taking your younger child to playgroups and activities you are surrounded by women who are pregnant or who have an infant. The maternal craving just kicks in and you feel so alone because others around you just do not understand

Secondary infertility is common, and other people are out there suffering. The internet offers several online support groups for secondary infertility. Here is a list of support groups that you can join to share your struggles and hopefully your joys of overcoming secondary infertility.

INSPIRE.COM - Inspire.com partnered with resolve.org to host a series of infertility boards. They have a section specifically for those suffering from secondary infertility. There is no cost to join and it costs less then a minute. Resolve.org has been helping families with infertility since 1974. They are a well known and much respected organization that offers options to millions trying to conceive over the years.

You will be able to connect with other families who understand your struggles and what you are going through. They will not judge you, and you will not hear that you should, "be happy with what you have." these are real people working through the same issues you are working through.

iVillage.com - One of the hardest things about finding a good message board is finding one that still receives posts. iVillage has a secondary infertility message board that receives at least ten new posts per day. The confidence that you can connect with real people who are going through this now is a good thing.

ivillage is a wholly owned subsidiary of NBC and has been catering to the needs of women throughout their various life stages since 1995.
Rubberducky.org - This is a decent support board. It is not updated as frequently as the other boards, but it has been around since February of 2003 so if you are looking for a specific issue it is sure to be in one of the discussion links.

Stepping Stones - Although this forum does have a Christian slant it is probably the most fun a secondary infertility forum can be. They offer secondary Infertility blinkies and most posters have tags on the end of their posts explaining how long they have been trying and what procedures they have endured. The forum has that personal feel and you know you are talking with people who care about you.

Secondary infertility is heartbreaking. It is hard on you and your family. It is nothing to be swept under the rug. In addition to looking into these online support groups it is important to go seek counseling during these trying time and always know you are not alone.