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Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Peer Infertility Counselors

You've gone through the posts in Operation Heads Up (see below on side bar) and now you have specific questions. If only you could email someone directly who has already completed an IVF cycle or vent to someone who is currently parenting after infertility. Hence the birth of the Peer Infertility Counselor List. Just like those peer counselors who were somehow deemed capable of giving you advice during those high school years, these people have volunteered to have you contact them if you have a question about a specific topic. It helps to put the topic in the subject line of your email, and let them know that you got their name from the peer counselor list. Some people are listed under more than one category. A few people have chosen to remain private, but are willing to talk to you. A few names are linked to my email address and I will forward them to the correct person. Feel free to link to this list on your blog.

This list is constantly updated. If you would like to be added to an existing category or create a new category, send me an email at thetowncriers@gmail.com. Most of the people on this list are NOT medical professionals--they are simply Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters just like you. Who are perhaps a bit further in the process or perhaps on a different path. They will be speaking from their own personal experience and not from a medical background. Also know that it may take them a day or two to get back to you. If you are having trouble connecting to someone on this list, please let me know.

Diagnoses

Ovulation Issues

Tina, Aubrey, Stacie

Uterine Anomalies

TeamWinks, CH

Fibroids

Michelle

Male Factor

L, Serenity, KE, Julie, Amy, Artblog, Marie (CBAVD), Kami

Hypothalamic Ammenorhea

Lisa, Molly

Clotting Factor

Lisa P. (MTHFR), M, Michelle, Stacie (MTHFR), DG (Antiphospholipids), Gabrielle.

Luteal Phase Defect/Low Progesterone

Mel, Stacie

High FSH

Mel

Premature Ovarian Failure

Robyn

PCOS

Dee, Rachel, Kel, Aubrey, Stacie, Susannah

Endometriosis

EJ, Julie

Thyroid Conditions

EJ (Hashimoto Hypothyroidism), Stacie

Unexplained

Carolyn, K, CH, Natalie

Diagnostic Procedures/Surgery

HSG

Tara, Mel, EJ, K, Michelle, Aubrey, Stacie, Natalie

Saline Sonogram

Kel, Aubrey

Hysteroscopy

Tara, EJ, Stacie

Laparoscopy

Tara, EJ, Julie, Natalie

Medications

Provera

Mandolyn, Kel, Stacie

Clomid

Mandolyn, Mel, Michelle, Aubrey, Stacie, Susannah, Natalie

Metformin (Glucophage)

Stacie

Follistim

Mel, K

Menopur

Molly

Gonal-F

Julie

Synarel

Julie

Puregon

Artblog

Prometrium

Mandolyn, Mel, Aubrey, Stacie

hCG (Novarel)

Mel, Aubrey

Femara

EJ

Folgard and Aspirin (for clotting issues)

Stacie

Subcutaneous Injections (sub-cue)

Mel

Synthroid

Stacie

Heparin

Treatments

IUI

Tina, Mel, Carrie, K, Michelle, Aubrey, Kami, Vee, Molly

IVF

Serenity (with ICSI/Fresh or FET), Jamie, Tara, K, Linda (with ICSI), Julie (with ICSI/Fresh or FET), Vanessa, Kami

PGD

Lisa, Mary Ellen

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

Bea, S

Third Party Reproduction

Donor Sperm

L, Eric, Vee

Donor Eggs

Carrie, DEMummie, Robyn, Abogada, Marna, Gabrielle.

Egg Share

Vanessa

Embryo Donation

L

Gestational Surrogacy

Tara, Kymberli (a surrogate herself!)

Adoption

International Adoption

Dee, S

Domestic Adoption

Robyn (open adoption), Lori, Katd

Adopting a Second Time

Robyn

Pregnancy Loss

General Emotions

Tina, Mandolyn, Dee, Paige, Artblog, Susannah, Kami

D & C or D & E

Tina, Mandolyn, Dee, Ka, Artblog, Kami

Tissue Testing

Tina, Kami

Recurrent Loss Testing

Tina, DG, Kami, Amy

Ectopic Pregnancies

Jamie

Blighted Ovum

Vee, Heidi

Molar Pregnancies

Ka

Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction

Marie

Pregnancy Loss while Parenting Others

Tina, Artblog

Remembrance of Pregnancy Loss

Tina, Artblog

Marriage and Pregnancy Loss

Tina, Artblog

Neonatal Death

Kami

Living Child-Free

Katie

Secondary Infertility

Rachel, K, Aubrey, Artblog, Stacie

General Infertility or Pregnancy Loss

Taking a Break

Tina, Susannah

Male Perspective of Infertility

Josh, Smarshy, Eric

Stopping Treatments (switching paths)

Dee, Susannah

Being a Self-Advocate

Tina, Carolyn

Dealing with Insurance Companies and IF

Josh

Living Far From Clinic/RE (or going out of state for treatment)

Tina, Lisa, Jamie, K, Bea

Work-Related Issues and IF/Pg Loss

Tina, Susannah

Hyperplasia

S

Hysterectomy

S

Uterine Cancer

S

Trying to Conceive After Cancer

L, Amy

Trying to Conceive With Diabetes

Lyrehca

Trying to Conceive Over 35

Piccinigirl, Michelle, Heidi

Weight and Trying to Conceive

Stacie, Susannah

Coping Tools (acupuncture, yoga, meditation)

Serenity (acupuncture, yoga, meditation), Carrie (Reiki), Bea (Tai Chi), Susannah (acupuncture)

Changing Clinics/REs

Lisa, Aubrey

Depression from Infertility

Tara, Aubrey, Stacie (also Prozac and TTC), Susannah, Natalie

Speaking About Infertility With Non-Infertiles

Rachel, Aubrey, Susannah, Natalie

Having Many Pregnant Friends

Susannah, Natalie

Relationships (friends and family) and Infertility

Susannah

Military and Infertility Options

Gabrielle, Julie.

GLBT Conception

Lesbian Infertility

J, Rho

Pregnancy After Infertility

Mel, Carrie, Michelle, Aubrey

Parenting After Infertility

General Emotions

Mel, EJ, K, Michelle, Aubrey

Twins

Mel, K, Linda

Prematurity

Mel, Robyn

Friends and Family

(Non-infertiles helping other non-fertiles understand infertility)

Pam

6 comments:

Magpie said...

How I wish this list had been around when I was going through IUI and IVF four-five years ago. Instead I made do with Inciid and Resolve and Rubber Ducky and IVF Connections. But this, this looks great.

Anonymous said...

Wish I had found this sooner so much information and alot of support for not only fertility but everything associated with it, marriage issues, self dobt etc. these resources will help.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Would you please add me as a contact for Domestic adoption? Thanks.

bestlightlori at gmail dot com

Thanks for a great list!

Anonymous said...

you should add Get Smart Radio too (http://www.getsmartradio.net), which recently aired an informative and entertaining pod cast show about the process of sperm donation.

HeidiM said...

Thank you so so much for maintaining this list. I'd love to see peer counselors for TCM and DOR, as those are two things I'm currently exploring. But for sure I'll consult with those that are listed here for other topics. Thanks again!!

Caitlin said...

Thank you so much for posting this list...is there perhaps someone out there with tubal IF experience and/or PID?

Thanks!