Emotional Support

We recognize that receiving fertility treatments can be a very stressful and emotionally difficult journey. To address the psychological aspects of infertility, challenges in decision making, and other reproductive considerations, the Stanford Fertility & Reproductive Medicine Center offers individual and group support through our professional and caring counseling staff.

Penny Donnelly, LMFT, RN

Penny Donnelly, LMFT, RN is the director of the support programs at Stanford’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center. She has developed and led a number of counseling and health education programs for patients and facilitates support groups for primary infertility, miscarriage, those considering ovum or sperm donation, and pregnancy. In addition, Penny founded and leads the nationally recognized mind/body program for infertility patients.
 

Making the Most of Your Fertility Treatments

Date:  To be announced
Cost:  $26/couple or $16/individual
See PDF flyer for more details.
 

Mind Body Lecture Series

As part of our commitment to our patient’s emotional well-being we are offering a Mind Body lecture series. The purpose is to educate and support our patients as well as to provide tools to minimize the stress associated with infertility and treatments.

Below is a sampling of some of our upcoming topics and lecturers.

• Principles of a Strong Marriage (and how to make them work for you as you go through infertility) – Penny Donnelly RN, LMFT will speak about the research that John Gottman has done on his work about what makes marriages work. Learn about the principles that foster a happy and sustainable marriage and the mistakes to avoid. (date to be announced)
• Communicating as a Couple – Penny Donnelly RN, LMFT will speak about the many ways couples can remain close and connected as they embark on the complexities of treatment options. Focus will be on how the sexes cope differently, and how to support your partner through the journey.
• Options for Creating Families – A special evening dedicated to the stories of others that have created their families in less conventional ways. Couples have the opportunity to listen to the journeys others have taken before them. Those that have built their families through adoption, donor egg, donor sperm, embryo adoption, and/ or the use of a gestational carrier will present. See PDF flyer (date to be announced)

Lectures held at 900 Welch Road, Suite 200 from 6-7:30 pm
Charge is $26 per couple, or $16 per person
See PDF flyer
For more information call Penny Donnelly or email pdonnelly@stanfordmed.org
To register – call 650-498-7911 option 1
 

Support Groups – Stanford IVF Program

We welcome you to utilize any of these complimentary services to promote well-being during your treatment.

• Primary Support Group – This group is designed for women who have not had any children yet. The emphasis is on sharing in a warm and supportive environment with other women who are on a similar journey. We periodically incorporate mind/body modalities.
• Couples Infertility Support Group – If you’re struggling to get pregnant, come together with other couples interested in learning how to gain support and improve their relationship in a supportive and nurturing environment. See PDF flyer. 
• Third Party Reproduction Support Group – This group is for women who are exploring the possibility of having a child with the assistance of donor egg or sperm. The emotional, ethical, and logistical issues are explored. Issues related to disclosure are also discussed. Read The Decision Disclosure (PDF).
• Repeat Pregnancy Loss Support Group - Although there are many promising treatments for patients with recurrent pregnancy loss, women often struggle in ways that are unique. Feelings of sadness, grief, and anxiety over the loss of an unborn child are often deeper and more severe than what would normally be expected. This journey can be complicated by fears of not being able to successfully carry a pregnancy to term and apprehensions about having the right mind-set to succeed. Women are invited to join this group that have experienced two or more miscarriages and/or are now pregnant and struggling with the fear of another loss.

Click here to see the 2012 Support Group Schedule (PDF file)

For more information, please contact Penny Donnelly by phone (650-723-6408) or email.

Individual and couples counseling also available upon request.