Meeting others in similar situations to you can provide emotional benefits and decrease any sense of isolation before, during or after your fertility treatment. Melbourne IVF provides a variety of counsellor led and patient led support groups.
Some groups meet regularly, while others are held at different times throughout the year. We update the dates and details of the support groups regularly on this website.
Current support groups are outlined below:
Patient Led Group
Two Melbourne IVF patients started this group, which runs interesting and helpful sessions, sometimes with guest speakers. Joining gives you the opportunity to meet others going through IVF and other fertility treatments – to listen to their experiences, share your own, and encourage each other.
2012 Group Meeting dates below - all sessions commence at 10.30am and are located at 320 Victoria Pde, East Melbourne:
- Sat 18th February
- Sat 14th April
- Sat 16th June
- Sat 18th August
- Sat 13th October
- Saturday 8th December
To find out more, please contact: givfmelb@gmail.com
Donor Egg Mums’ Group
If you are a new or expectant mum with a baby from a donor egg, or if you are thinking about starting a family using egg donation, this group gives you the chance to meet others like you.
You can share your experiences, gather wisdom, or just enjoy the company of other mums, and their kids, who are in a similar situation to you. This group offers a friendly, supportive and informative environment, and the opportunity to be part of a social network providing outings, dinners and family fun days.
To find out more, please contact: elenimax@aapt.net.au
Single Mums’ Support Group
This group meets every two months, supporting single women who are thinking about donor insemination or IVF treatment, or are having (or already had) a baby conceived in this way.
In a supportive environment, you can learn from others’ experiences, share your own, or just enjoy chatting to other mums like you – and their kids. In this way, you can benefit from support while encouraging others.
2012 Group Meetings
- Tues 17th January, 10am to 12pm at: In Gallery 314, Richmond Uniting Church, 314 Church Street, Richmond
To find out more, please contact Leanne Haynes (single mum and secretary): lmhaynes@bigpond.com
Moving On Group
Are you facing a life without children?
You are not alone.
If you have decided to stop treatment or are currently thinking about stopping treatment, you are invited to meet with others in the same situation. Former Melbourne IVF patients and two Melbourne IVF counsellors will share their perspectives on recovering after IVF and handling the challenges and rewards of a life without children.
You can be assured of a warm welcome and the opportunity to share a glass of wine and some food with others in the same situation. Information about a Support Group for people in this situation will also be provided for those who are interested.
- Wednesday 21st March 2012
- Wednesday 13th June 2012
- Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Time: 6.00PM - 7.30PM
Please RSVP to: Andrea 9473 4418 or andrea.smales@mivf.com.au, or
Jo 9473 4418 or jo.moffat@mivf.com.au
Embryo Recipient Support Group
This group welcomes anyone waiting to be allocated embryos, or currently using donated embryos. Facing the challenges of these experiences is much easier when you can discuss them with others in your situation, and this can also remove any sense of isolation.
You may be:
- physically and emotionally recovering from your IVF treatment
- accepting the idea of parenting a non biologically related child
- deciding who to tell and what to tell
- waiting for a donor to become available or accepting the possibility of not becoming pregnant.
