Did you ever have a secret? Sometimes, a secret can feel like a delicious bond, holding two people together. Other times, secrets can pull people apart. A secret in the hands of the wrong person can be a weapon. A secret in your own hands can cause shame.

 

People often keep their inability to start a family secret, causing them to separate from those they love or from life in general. Other people experiencing infertility may go the other way, casting off the veil of secrets by taking cues from our reality-TV culture and over-sharing their private pain.

 

This issue of Connect examines secrets, their role in communication, and the power they can have over lives, particularly for those who are trying to conceive or adopt. 

When someone you love is going through infertility or, you suspect they might be, it is hard to know how to support them. Joann Paley-Galst gives solid, practical advice in this important article. Click here to read. 

How much information is too much information? People going through infertility treatment or adoption often find themselves struggling with communication issues. If you have ever wondered how to cope with questions from friends, family or even strangers, click here to read Ellen Glazer's informative article.

Do you ever feel a knot in your stomach when you run into your office late after a doctor's appointment? Dealing with co-workers, not to mention your boss, while simultaneously juggling infertility treatment can be challenging. Get some great tips for how to deal with your work life during treatment in Michelle Bianco's article, here. 

Every month in Connect, The AFA will feature a different list of supporters, professional members, and donors.  This month, we'd like to thank the following:

 

Platinum Sponsors

Center for Human Reproduction - North Shore LIJ

Fertility Centers of Illinois

Fertility Physicians of Northern California

HRC Fertility

IVF Florida Reproductive Associates

Long Island IVF

Reproductive Biology Associates

Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte

Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York

Seattle Reproductive Medicine

The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine of Weill Cornell Medical College

 

Gold Sponsors

California Fertility Partners

Fertility Center of the Carolinas

Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine

MDR Pharmaceuticals

Reproductive Science Center of New England

Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area

Roxsan Pharmacy

 

Silver Sponsors

ART Parenting

California Cryobank

Center for Male Reproductive Medicine

Cornell Center for Male Reproductive Medicine

Deborah Simmons, Ph.D., L.M.F.T.

Deborah Szanto, Ph.D.

Elaine Robbins, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Family Formation Law Offices of Diane Michelsen

Fertility Source Companies

Growing Generations

Heartfelt Egg Donation

Helen L. Coons, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.

Hilary Marshak, M.S.W.

International Fertility Law Group

Jill Edelstein, L.C.S.W.

Julie Bindeman, Psy.D.

Pacific Reproductive Center

Pacific Reproductive Services Sperm Bank & Fertility Center

Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group

Poonam Sharma, Ph.D.

Tree Of Life Acupuncture

There are events taking place across the country to help educate and support you on your family building journey. Please take a look through our calendar to find classes, discussion groups, workshops and emotional support groups on infertility, adoption, third party reproduction and LGBT family building.

 

To learn about all of The AFA's support groups, including those for Mind/Body and Over 40 issues,click here.