Over the last year, COVID-19 has made it harder for fertility patients, says Kate Brian of patient charity Fertility Network. Kate will be talking about the range of support available for people with infertility at Bourn Hall’s Fertility Fair. She says:
Many people will have experienced delays getting referred and have had to wait for appointments and treatment and going through tests and treatment can make you feel depressed, frustrated and helpless. At patient charity Fertility Network UK, we understand the impact fertility problems have on your life and we are here to help you through this difficult time.
Getting the right support can make all the difference, and having access to accurate information and advice can also help you to take control of your situation.
We offer lots of different types of support so you can choose what works best for you.
Our free support line is now open every weekday and run by two former fertility nurses. They are able to answer your questions, to help you through any worries and can offer advice.
We know that talking to other people who’ve shared similar experiences can make all the difference, so we run peer support groups right across the UK. Many of our groups have now gone online, with Zoom meetings and closed Facebook groups. This means you can talk to others from your own home.
(Note Bourn Hall also has a virtual Fertility Support Group run by an independent fertility counsellor)
Being able to find the right information which is accurate and based on evidence can make a difference to your experience too. We have regular webinars with experts to help you to get the most up-to-date and accurate information. They are all recorded so if you can’t join us live, you can see them later on our website.Fertility problems can also start to affect your sense of wellbeing, so we’re now offering different types of support to help people through this.
We’ve been running weekly online yoga classes which are open to everyone, as well as mindfulness and nutrition training courses.
Many patients have found this wellbeing support helpful. You can find out more on our website
We are a charity and all our services are free of charge. Remember, no one needs to go through this alone, and we are here for you.
More information
Bourn Hall provides fertility counselling with independent fertility counsellors and also has a Fertility Support Group which meets virtually on the last Thursday of each month. You don’t have to be a patient to participate more information.
Find out more about Fertility Network.
There is an active Facebook page
You can also engage with others on Twitter (@FertilityNUK), Instagram and LinkedIn
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